As I move through the MACAL program, one thing I have been confronted repeatedly with is not only the sheer scope of the challenge in front of us, but the diversity that will be required to solve it. I am learning that every single one of us has a unique knowledge or skill which will help to propel us forward in our fight against the climate crisis. Every single one of us adds value.
Our CALS501 course focused on decolonizing our approach to the climate crisis and recognizing the importance of including Indigenous wisdom when learning how best to live in harmony with nature. We discussed the need for collaboration between governments and leaders of Indigenous communities and the agency and space which would be required to allow the represented groups to contribute to real change (Cox et al, 2021). We discussed what it means to be a systemic leader in the climate change movement, how to create spaces for reflection and open conversation between all involved, and how to create structures within corporations wherein they can imagine a future fueled by green energy and the principles of 7th generation thinking – building a clean and safe space for the future of all beings.
Climate Science, Impacts, and Services focused on the basics of climate science and provided me with a newfound respect for climate models and the scientists who develop them. Prior to this course, I was unaware of the intricacies of climate models and their distinct role in climate adaptation. Recognizing the amount of data that is required to run climate models truly put into perspective for me the interconnectedness of our planet. The importance of adaptation and the role of climate modeling in assisting and developing new ways to adapt to this most wicked problem was made abundantly clear throughout this course as well. As Moser et al. state, climate modeling will help us create new opportunities by “addressing the causes and consequences of climate change in ways that solve related social, environmental, and economic problems” (Moser et al., 2017. p.8).
Of course, climate science is deeply integral to understanding climate change and working towards mitigation and adaptation strategies, but our Communication for Climate Action course has also instilled in me an appreciation for story, specifically as it relates to climate adaptation. I am learning that if we are to engage the world in the fight for climate justice and against a disastrous temperature rise, while science is of course extremely important, it is the stories we each tell about our specific experiences that will truly bring people together around this cause. The ability to tell stories that shape our attitudes and feelings around a certain place allows scientists and communities alike to recognize their shared interests in protecting that place. And of course, these stories must include everyone. Because climate change affects everything and everyone everywhere, effective communication will involve all types of people and will need to reach across disciplinary, sectoral, and geographic boundaries (Moser, 2016). After all, adapting to the climate crisis will require cooperation across all levels of government, society, community as well as individual and grassroots action (Hodson, 2019).
Our design project for CALS500 consists of a learning tool that we dream will be available in schools across the world. This tool will engage students to embrace their unique skills while learning about and helping to solve the climate crisis as it presents in their own communities. For our tool to be effective, we will require the collaboration of experts, scientists, artists, Indigenous and government leaders, activists, teachers, and of course students who are willing to share their knowledge, skills, and stories. Our tool will aim to be a reflection of the real world so that every student can see themselves in the amazing work already put forward by our collaborators, and feel empowered to make a change in their own unique way.
Recognizing the sheer number and breadth of people – all the different stories, experiences, and skills that will be required to successfully tackle the challenge of the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, not to mention the fact that our time to act is running out. However, throughout this course, I have been continuously awed at the resilience, hope, inspiration, and fortitude that humans are capable of when we come together to rally behind a common cause. I feel fortunate to be a part of this program and to be able to number myself amongst the growing community of people across the world fighting for a better future.
References:
Cox, R., Harford, D., Jackson, E., Lerner, A., Masser, S., Street, R. (2021, June 2). What does it mean to be a climate action leader? [Webinar]. Royal Roads University. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDCk3_WJ0o
Hodson, J. (2019). An ecological model of climate marketing: A conceptual framework for understanding climate science-related attitude and behavior change. Cogent Social Sciences, 5(1), 1625101. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2019.1625101
Moser, S. C., Coffee, J., & Seville, A. (2017). Rising to the challenge, together. The Kresge Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Susanne-Moser/publication/322939920_Rising_to_the_Challenge_Together_A_Review_and_Critical_Assessment_of_the_State_of_the_US_Climate_Adaptation_Field_See_also_httpskresgeorgcontentrising-challenge-together/links/5a78b753a6fdcc4ffe90b2d8/Rising-to-the-Challenge-Together-A-Review-and-Critical-Assessment-of-the-State-of-the-US-Climate-Adaptation-Field-See-also-https-kresgeorg-content-rising-challenge-together.pdf
Moser, S. C. (2016). Reflections on climate change communication research and practice in the second decade of the 21st century: what more is there to say?. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 7(3), 345-369. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.403
Cover Image: Iwata, R. (2018). Shibuya Crossing Intersection. Retrieved from https://unsplash.com/photos/IBaVuZsJJTo