February 5, 2023
Figure 1: Visualization of Values and Purpose for Climate Action for CALS691
Note: This model was adapted from Johnson’s Climate Action Venn Diagrams (n.d.) that recommends climate leaders work in the space that intersects three questions: 1. What work needs doing? 2. What are you good at? and 3. What brings you joy? For those wanting to help address the climate crisis, she recommends getting “…to the heart of your climate Venn!” (Johnson, n.d.). The visual was created via the “Pastel Colors Business Venn Diagram” on www.canva.com.
Anishinaabe Elder Dave Courchane gave an inspiring speech at Turtle Lodge in 2017 on the human condition and the values that have led to climate change. He compelled us all to consider the need for “…a change of the heart” (Climate Atlas of Canada, Video 1, 0:27) that would transform Western values, behaviours and ways of relating to the land through Indigenous leadership. Elder Courchane moved on to the spirit world in 2019 (Climate Atlas of Canada, n.d.), but his connection between climate action and a change of heart still speaks to me today. Engaging the heart is a tool for successful climate action leadership, a solution to the climate crisis and it is where I personally can make a difference.
Kouzes and Posner (2002) entitled one of their five practices of leadership, encourage the heart and call for leaders to speak from the heart, celebrate from the heart and lead from the heart to be an effective leader. In fact, they say that, “The best-kept secret of successful leaders is love: staying in love with leading, with the people who do the work, with what their organizations produce, and with those who honour the organization by using its work” and that “… many leaders use the word love freely when talking about their own motivations to lead” (p. 399). I use this philosophy in my day to day leadership tasks; it works to engage, inspire and motivate.
My hope for the future and solutions to the climate crises critically depends on people having a good heart. We need to build connections between diverse interests and need people to selflessly assist others affected by the climate crisis. Paul Hawken inspired me when he said that the human heart, mind and imagination are the solution to reverse the climate crisis (Olaniyan, 2021). I believe more people will help one another as their understanding and experience with the climate crisis grows.
My visualization for climate action is focussed on the heart, the place where I can personally make a difference. Figure 1, The heart of my climate adaptation in Prairie Communities refers to the intersection of my purpose, my skills and my motivations. Building on Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s (n.d.) philosophy that the best place for climate action leaders is in the heart of the Venn, I have created my visual to work from that place, considering What work needs doing?, What am I’m good at? and What brings me joy? I feel fulfilled in this space, moving forward on my purpose to enhance community preparedness, using my relationship-building and communication skills to increase understanding, and my motivation to be a leader – to foster a future where biodiversity flourishes and reconciliation has led us to a better place built on wellness, spirituality and love.
My Climate Action Leadership 501 team reflected a problem: most people in the Prairies do not know what climate change means for them or what to do about it (Greenslade et al., 2022). To address this, we designed a community conversation that appealed to individuals’ hearts. We asked them to reflect on places held near and dear and how those might be impacted by climate change. Participants went through a range of emotions including sadness and fear. In the end, the human heart prevailed, with new motivation to move past despair, collaborate and support one another. I expect to see this result over and over as more people understand the climate crisis. I will continue to work towards this change of heart as a leader, to inspire hope and create solutions. This space suits me well and fills my heart.
Do you see the need for a change of heart in order for humans and nature to coexist and thrive? Feel free to reach out to me with any comments or suggestions.
References
Climate Atlas of Canada. (n.d) Onjisay Aki Initiative on Climate Change. Video 1. https://climateatlas.ca/onjisay-aki-initiative-climate-change
Greenslade, A., Spark, A., Purdue, J. and Chomlak, K. (2022). Unit 5 – Assignment 7: Final Design Thinking Challenge Deliverable. Masters in Climate Action Leadership, Royal Roads University. CALS 501: Leading Climate Action in Society. Robin Cox & Elizabeth Childs. June 08, 2022.
Johnson, A. (n.d.). Climate action venn diagrams. https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/climatevenn
Kouzes, J. M. and Posner, B. Z. (2002). The leadership challenge. Jossy-Bass.Olaniayan, O. (2021, August, 9). The Most Important Climate Action You Can Take? We Asked Paul Hawken. A Tyee interview with the eminent environmentalist on his new book, ‘Regeneration.’ The Tyee. https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/08/09/Most-Important-Climate-Action-Paul-Hawken/?utm_source=weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=090821
