H2cent’sWeeknotes #4: Nov. 2, 2019. On guilt and climate change.
I’m not [insert action] for climate. I’m writing, singing, and convening. Sorry.
One of the agreements of the One Team Gov folk is that no one is allowed to feel guilty. It’s a lovely gesture, but well, I’m Canadian. So, when we drafted the working agreement for the One Green Gov platform team, and someone added “no apologies,” I appended “(except for Canadians).”
And here I am feeling a little sorry that I gave that concession… because I’m about to express that I think we need to abandon the guilt.
Doing What I can
Eight years ago I worked hard to earn a position working on climate change, and was privileged to work for a government at a time that it was taking bold action. So, I really, really understand the scale of the challenge. I was also tasked with organizing others to learn and collaborate together. So I really, really understand the inertia for action.
When government shifted direction, I left that position, but couldn’t stop doing what I could to act. As I had observed the inertia that power point presentations about climate science offered… my partner and I countered with a motivation inducing musical concept album about our future with climate change.
Our motivation for this was marching with 400,000 people in New York City, and the words of world leaders who were moved by the passionate outpouring of the people who gathered. When we got home, our network helped us to fund the music album.
As you can see from our kickstarter video… we were very DIY and green to the whole media thing. We had an iphone and editing software that kept glitching out. But that didn’t stop us. Or the donations.
We were doing what we could, with what we had, when we had it. We just got started.
As small time as we are on the music scene, we get no shortage of encouragement. When we play a show, interview on CBC, or produce videos, people tell us we’re helping and they value the contribution… and that they are inspired.
That inspiration is what we’re after. We’re sending a signal that we don’t have to be Leonardo, Al or Greta to do something. We can be ambitious in our own way, with our gifts. And so can you.
Not Marching. Or many other things.
When I think about everything we have to do to address climate change — from mitigating carbon to being prepared for local and planetary impacts — that guilt creeps in a bit…
- I don’t go to every March.
- I don’t avoid every carbon rich luxury all the time, like driving, eating meat or even flying occasionally.
- I don’t volunteer often at the local fundraisers or capacity building events related to food security, electric cars, or rainwater management…
However, because I’m aware of the opportunities, I realize there is more I can do, and I will find ways to contribute more as I have capacity.
And, it doesn’t take much to be reminded that there are plenty of other hands to get the job done.
Which brings me back to the enormous value of people getting out to show they care through marching and other means: they are motivating all of us to do what we can.

Helping Others to do What they Can.
While there is more I can do personally, I’ve decided that, at least for a time, I want to help others. I believe this is needed, because I frequently hear people express this need.
For example, after shows, Canadians approach the band and say things like “I really admire what you are doing here.” That statement is frequently accompanied with a statement or body language that expresses a desire to join us somehow (and that they are a little bit sorry they haven’t done enough yet.)
It’s hard to get started. And that is what I think One Green Gov can help with.
For some, getting started means raising awareness of the issues, because we know there are still lots of people in the dark.
For others, getting started means creating a new initiative to take on problems or opportunities that are emerging, like how to use machine learning or quantum computing to assess sustainability options.
For many, like my peers who have been working on climate for a decade or more, they’ve already started. They’ve been battling hard and uphill for a while now…. and some are even burning out. I believe this new influx of energy, passion and creativity can be channeled to help them.
So, what if we had a map of these energized folks who want to offer their capacity? What if we could pair them with others who have knowledge, resources or experience?
I think we have a real opportunity to identify and match need with passion and action. One Green Gov — with it’s focus on public service — is one platform to test this with:
Join the Choir
If you’ve found yourself newly motivated by the growing chorus of people who want to do something about the climate crisis, I encourage you to abandon your guilt. Now is the time to offer your voice, your hands or whatever else it is you can.
Whether it’s jazz, rock, pop, metal or opera… we need drummers, synths, chimes and stage lights. We also need a lively audience. Clap, stomp, cheer… and vote for the tunes that will define our future.
We need to get dancing.
H
P.S. I write this on a Saturday morning, before Danton and I put our heads down to polish some new tunes we’ll produce in studio next week. We’re still writing… so if there is a message you feel would be valuable in song, let me know!
