Tag Archives: divestment campaign

Talking about Climate Change

Why is talking about climate change so difficult? Aside from the deep feelings of fear, anger and confusion which can arise, it can be hard to sustain an in depth conversation on the subject.

I highly recommend this brilliant guide by the climate change charity 10:10 on how to have a productive climate change conversation. “Not just a passing mention: a real conversation – a rich, lively exchange of stories and ideas, hopes and fears, convictions, predictions and interpretations”

Reading this guide helped me to understand why climate change conversations can be difficult and how to change this. Often once you start talking about climate change, you find yourself as the designated ‘Climate Person’ in your social group and then you feel as though you should have all the answers. In the 10:10 guide, they discuss how to be a climate change ‘moderator’ and channel ideas and discussions, by following a three point guide.

I’ve found it much easier to talk about climate change since I joined Divest London and started campaigning actively for fossil fuel divestment, both in London and in my local borough Camden. In these groups we discuss climate change and potential solutions quite openly. When friends ask what I’ve been doing recently and I mention the fossil fuel divestment campaign, it’s an effective way to bring it into the conversation.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to promote a way of discussing climate change and other issues affecting our children’s future. So often when you discuss environmental problems it seems that you are being negative and people instinctively want to avoid this. But actually a love of our planet and a wish to secure a sustainable future is the ultimate expression of a positive, engaged life.

Even with writing this blog and campaigning, I still find it hard to introduce the subject into certain conversations, particularly at more festive occasions or gathering. For example last Saturday I was at my friend’s beautiful wedding and chatting away to another guest who I had only met a couple of times. The subject happened to come round to climate change and for some reason I momentarily froze. Then I gave myself a moment and thought, why don’t I mention my blog and continue the discussion? So I did and we ended up having a really good chat. Still it was interesting to note the instinct to change the subject, however much we care about the issue.

There are a few new books which discuss climate change conversations further. Don’t Even Think About it by George Marshall and In time for tomorrow? The carbon conversations handbook by Rosemary Randall and Andy Brown.

Global Divestment Day

Leave a reply

One of the best things I decided to do last year (after becoming a Mother for the first time) was to join Divest London (divestlondon.org). Global Divestment Day on 14th February was so energetic, powerful and inspiring that I’m still feeling a positive glow from this special Valentine’s Day. Continue reading →

Love the planet…divest!

Leave a reply

Divest London held an exciting meeting at SOAS University on Thursday night to plan London’s action for the Global Divestment day on February 14. I’ve just joined the group and it was a brilliant evening!

The divestment movement aims to remove the fossil fuel industry’s social license. Here’s what we all need to know: fossil fuel corporations have five times more oil, coal and gas in reserve than we can safely burn. The overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that we have to keep 80% of these fossil fuels in the ground to avoid disastrous climate change. These figures are staggering. By encouraging public institutions to withdraw their money from the industry, we make a moral statement and encourage investment in the renewables sector.

The ‘gofossilfree’ divestment campaign is raising public awareness across the globe and gaining serious momentum. Universities, places of worship, councils and pension funds have all been targeted and there have been real victories: Glasgow University is the first European university to divest, Oxford is the first UK council to vote to divest and KLP, Norway’s largest pension fund, is divesting from coal. Go to gofossilfree.org for more information and updates. Sign up!

Back to London, the meeting on Thursday was packed when I arrived. Energy surged around the room as we planned an exciting day of action. It was heartening to be surrounded by so many intelligent, committed people all campaigning for change.

I missed evening cuddles with Aidan but on a personal note, no matter what I do, fate always seems to send me to the vicinity of Russell Square for life-changing events! I met my husband at the College of Law on Store street, my first job was at a literary agency in Bloomsbury, Aidan was born at University College Hospital and now I find myself in SOAS campaigning for his future. Clearly my involvement is meant to be!

Babyproofing the planet

Leave a reply

My son is five and a half months old and loves his playmat. Every day I watch him exploring on his tummy, reaching his hands forward, preparing to crawl. He is able to move quite far by rolling, shuffling and hanging onto the edge of his mat!

Parenting books remind me to babyproof our home without delay. On a recent shopping trip, I spotted an overwhelming selection of products designed to make my home safer. Tackling our flat (which is on the first and second floor of a victorian building) is not going to be easy, so I decide to take one task a week. This week I’ve ordered plug socket covers. Next week, the exciting task of moving our cleaning products into a higher cupboard awaits me. Then we really need to think about the various stairs in our flat!

Childproofing our home, I found myself thinking of the story about a man who builds his house on the sand. The image of his house being washed away, which I remembered from my own childhood, flashed in my mind. We can proof, guard and pad our homes into submission but without working to tackle climate change, it seems we are effectively building our homes on the sand.

Of course, I do intend to make our flat as safe as possible for our soon to be crawling baby! However above all I’m inspired to get involved with some of the exciting environmental campaigns happening at the moment, such as the fossil free divestment campaign.

We have bigger tasks ahead to make our homes and our children’s futures safer. It may be hard to get our heads around childproofing the planet (especially when we’re so sleep deprived!) but our protective instincts are strong and we can use this strength to take action. I look forward to getting involved and to really starting my babyproofing!