Community Engagement/Climate Action/Personal/Collective Growth

(Things we see as inseparable)

Welcome to the Climate Justice Field School (CJFS) learning out loud space. This is where CJFS collaborators reflect on what we’ve been doing and learning in our field school. Thanks for joining us on our journey, and if you have any thoughts on what you’re reading we’d be happy to hear from you.

What will the future look like if humans commit to positive change? Where are humans falling into the patterns/habits/trappings of our colonial institutions or narrow approaches to climate action? In this project, how can we attempt to do things differently? What is at stake if we don’t engage in this kind of exploration?

The CJFS team pondered questions like these as we planned for this project. We aimed to create opportunities for people to gather and talk about a future that prioritizes the well-being of both humans and the planet. Are we collectively ready? Not only did community members answer the call, they showed up with curious minds, big hearts, and deep desire. Everyone’s wholehearted commitment to change has continuously inspired us.

This journey has required all of us to increase our ability to open, experiment, and observe. We have been navigating new terrains, adjusting our map as we go. It has been a space to share our experiences and explore our curiosity, even if we end up with more questions than answers. This organic process helped us slowly increase our tolerance for ambiguity. What a potent gift during a time when uncertainty too often fills our bodies with fear.

We would like to acknowledge the bravery it takes to seek greater understanding, grapple with complex issues, and pursue change. Courage can manifest in various forms, both big and small. Minor acts of courage are as important as big ones, like speaking up for what you believe in, facing personal fears, or standing up for someone in need. In fact, these small acts of courage often lay the foundation for larger ones. Courage is about pushing past fear and taking action, regardless of the scale of that action.

Human beings are highly adaptable creatures. We can explore beyond what we’re used to, but we have to handle our instincts and emotions, including fear, which have been vital for our survival. It’s normal for the unfamiliar to unsettle us, as these emotions have helped us assess and respond to potential threats. Balancing instincts, creativity, and adaptability are crucial for personal growth and development.

Why do this personal/collective work?

The pandemic, extreme temperatures, wildfires, floods, rising costs, the list goes on. The pressing question is: what will happen if we don’t do this work? While there may be disagreements on specific actions, there is a shared understanding that “we need to do something different.” Vague as that may be, it’s a place to start. We need as many people as possible to feel this longing. To leave the shelter of their cave, connect with others, and actively co-create our new normal.

To embark on a path of positive change, we must challenge entrenched systems and embrace new paradigms. We need to rethink our relationships­ — to ourselves, each other, and our Earth Relatives. This may include adopting regenerative practices, amplifying previously excluded voices, or valuing the wisdom of Ancestral knowledge. Collectively, we must explore how we keep perpetuating destructive patterns and social injustices. It has become painfully apparent that there is no neutral stance in these matters, and everyone has a stake in creating a better future.

The consequences of inaction are palpable, as the stakes keep getting raised. What are we waiting for? What will make it impossible to ignore? More frequent and severe climate-related disasters? Further displacement of communities, loss of biodiversity, social unrest? It is time to reclaim the truth of our interdependence. And how collaboration, empathy, and solidarity are key principles in doing things differently.

Exploring alternative approaches is essential for our survival and the well-being of future generations. Billions of people know we need to rebuild communities to be stronger, fairer, and more sustainable. How can we respond to this collective yearning?

Do something different

Climate change affects different communities and regions in unique ways. To develop solutions that meet local needs, it’s essential to consider different perspectives and experiences. Acknowledging historical injustices is important. To address past wrongs, however, we must also understand how some climate actions still support colonialism. That is why, in order to avoid pitfalls like these, inclusive and diverse approaches are essential. The link between environmental concerns and social, economic, and cultural factors is becoming undeniable. And it has been a costly wake-up call for us all.

If we want things to change, we have to do something different.

This seems like an obvious statement, barely worth the key strokes. Aren’t human beings experts at this? We had to make peace with transformation because, as Heraclitus said, “Everything changes and nothing remains still… you cannot step twice into the same stream.” So, why do we struggle with this reality sometimes?

Why we struggle with change (sometimes)

Humans can have multilayered and contradictory motivations when it comes to maintaining the status quo or desiring change. Here are some examples of why individuals might want change yet still feel reluctant to take action:

Lack of Resources: Practical constraints, such as a lack of time, money, or resources, can hinder individuals from taking action, even if they genuinely want change.

Fear of the Unknown: Change often involves venturing into the unknown, which can be intimidating. Humans tend to prefer certainty and predictability, even if the current situation isn’t ideal. We tend to feel more comfortable when we know what to expect.

Loss Aversion: We are often more motivated to avoid losses than to achieve gains. Change can involve perceived losses, such as leaving behind old habits or routines, which can make people hesitant.

Psychological Inertia: It’s sometimes easier to stick with the status quo because change requires effort, energy, and mental adaptation.

Social Pressure: Society and peer groups can exert significant pressure. Conforming to norms and expectations can hinder one’s willingness to change.

Loss of Control: Change can make individuals feel like they are losing control over their lives or situations.

Overwhelm: The prospect of significant change can feel overwhelming. Individuals may desire change but feel unsure of where to start or how to navigate the process.

Fear of Failure: We can struggle with the possibility of failure or not meeting expectations. It is a powerful deterrent to taking risks.

Attachment to the Past: Individuals often have emotional attachments to the way things were or how they used to do things. Letting go of these attachments can be difficult.

Learned Helplessness: A psychological phenomenon where individuals who repeatedly face aversive situations or experiences may come to believe that their actions cannot change their circumstances. This perception can lead to a sense of helplessness and hopelessness.

Emotional Impact: Change can bring about a range of emotions, including grief, sadness, or anxiety, which can fuel resistance.

Habitual Behavior: Humans are creatures of habit, and breaking established habits can be difficult. Change often requires altering these routines.

Default Mode Network: Our brains operate on autopilot or default mode. Much of our daily functioning occurs unconsciously, driven by established neural pathways. This automatic mode can both streamline tasks and hinder our ability to embrace change.

Trauma: The impact of trauma on neural pathways is significant. Our experiences shape our brains and nervous systems, so dealing with trauma is crucial to fostering healthy development.

Psychological barriers can be deeply ingrained, making it challenging to recognize and address the beliefs that hold us back. Whew. Is it any wonder that we get out of our bunny slippers and risk doing anything unusual at all?

Keep these in mind whenever you are feeling frustrated by people’s reluctance or your own resistance. Humans are social and emotional beings. We often benefit more from transformative processes when we have support, resources, and a sense of community. Talking to others who are experiencing similar challenges can be an immense relief. We need to remember that support usually means emotional, psychological, as well as practical.

Compassion, connection, and collaboration are emphasized in this care, which is in contrast to the idea of Rugged Individualism commonly associated with Western Culture. While self-reliance and individualism have their place, no individual exists in complete isolation. Interconnectedness is a fundamental aspect of our human experience — both internally and externally.

Rethinking colonial narratives

Despite scientific progress, the human brain is still quite mysterious. And Western medicine is, thankfully, also returning to Ancestral wisdom about the mind-body connection. The research is clear — our body is not simply carrying our far-more-superior brain around. Nor is it a machine waiting to receive marching-orders from Egghead Headquarters.

Thinking about the brain as separate from the body has roots in the philosophical concept of dualism. This perspective laid the foundation for the biomedical model of health and medicine. Which resulted in lines of biologically deterministic and reductionist thinking that have plagued us since. In the biomedical model, the body is often treated as a collection of separate, mechanistic parts, with the mind or brain seen as distinct from physical health.

Historically, for instance, there has been an emphasis on the idea of “chemical imbalances”’ in the brain as the primary cause of mental health issues. This perspective led to the widespread use of psychotropic medications, such as antidepressants, while ignoring alternative interventions and the distressing reality of peoples’ lives. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that mental health is affected by an interplay of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors (see Biopsychosocial Model).

Plus, our brain is not all in our head. There are about 40,000 neurons in the heart’s nervous system, similar to those found in the brain. People refer to it as our “little brain” for this reason. The heart and brain communicate through different channels (neurologically, biochemically, biophysically, energetically). Vagal nerves are currently a hot topic. They are the body’s superhighway for information between the brain and internal organs like the heart.

What does this mean? It is not just a pump. Apparently, the heart has a little mind of its own that sends more signals to the brain than vice versa.

We receive common advice such as follow your heart and trust your gut instincts, for good reasons. According to science, we have a “second brain” in our gut too (aka. enteric nervous system). The vagus nerve is also a modulator of the brain-gut axis; establishing connections between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract. That is, the gut and brain have a close connection through neural and chemical signals, similar to the heart. This link affects gut function, emotional states, and intuitive decision-making.

The brain-heart connection and brain-gut axis are exciting, but all our organs provide sensory information to the brain. At minimum, hopefully, this sparks curiosity about how your body is doing much more than simply lugging your fancy noggin around.

This is a significant change in perspective, from a reductionist view of the brain to a more holistic understanding of the mind-body connection. It reminds us to be mindful about the stories that shape our lives. What other societal narratives do we need to question in order to embrace a more conscious and compassionate way of living?

Co-create new stories

To overcome resistance to change, accept that new methods may feel awkward. In Western society, we have conditioned people to avoid pain at all costs, so it often takes practice to be present with it. Note that it is not common knowledge that to our brain — pain is pain.

The brain regions involved in our “pain matrix” are activated not only when we experience physical pain but also when we go through social experiences that result in emotional distress, such as rejection or exclusion. There is a significant overlap in the neural pathways. At any rate, recognizing and allowing discomfort helps us to develop strategies and mindset shifts to move beyond it.

It can take work to reset our nerves, rewire our brain, and tell fresh stories. The good news: our brain loves novelty. Neuroscience suggests that it is even essential for a long, happy life. Ah, the paradoxical nature of humans. Aren’t we wonderfully multifaceted, contradictory beings? We stick with routines because of comfort, ease, or habit. Yet, we need novelty and change for our brain to thrive. And both tendencies can cause distress when out of balance.

Not to worry, imagination is the wellspring of creativity and innovation, and we have access to an unlimited supply. It allows us to envision new ideas, concepts, and possibilities. In human history, imagination has played a significant role in shaping cultural and social movements. And we need our radical imaginings more than ever.

Visionaries and their enthralling narratives can serve as catalysts for action. But how do we get there if we can’t imagine it too? This cognitive faculty empowers us to envision a better future for ourselves. Our imagination also helps us empathize with others. This is crucial for understanding different points of view, fostering compassion, and building connections.

All humans are meaning-making storytellers. Reframing our stories is a skill that can help us intentionally change our personal/collective narrative. We know that our interpretation and narrative about events in our lives can significantly shape our emotions, behaviors, and overall outlook. So, how can we consciously shift our perspective and reframe events in a more empowering way?

This isn’t about sugarcoating or denying the truth of our experience; it is a process that can help us find resilience, meaning, and personal growth even in challenging circumstances. Actually, it is imperative that we fully realize this power, because the stories we tell become our identity. Our compass. Our reality.

We can do this

To reconnect humanity, we are going to need more than a few Ministers of Loneliness. This task belongs to us all. We don’t have to resign to a fate of white-knuckling through life, clinging to our own little rafts, drifting further apart due to perfect storms. Science has shown us why it may take a bit more effort to go beyond our comfort zones or nudge ourselves into the wild unknown. Now we need to practice admitting how much we rely on each other to show up in a respectful way.

Our brain/bodies are hard-wired for compassion, connection, and cooperation. What a comforting thought. We are made for this global challenge. Literally. In “modern” society, relationships have a profound impact on our well-being, regardless of our ability to accept this truth. We can still learn a lot from our Ancestors, who created habits, rituals, and ceremonies to honor humans as social beings. Even though change can feel uncomfortable, it is worth the risk. Positive experiences shape our brain/bodies and prime us to receive more good things.

If you want the world to be a little better, start with considering the effect you are having on those around you. Positive interactions benefit us both; they release “happy hormones’’ or neurotransmitters in our bodies, such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. When we connect, our body movements, heartbeats, breathing, and brain waves can synchronize.

Think about the significance of this for a moment.

What responsibilities do we carry when interacting with others and the natural world? How can we hold ourselves accountable? What are creative ways we can challenge ourselves and inspire each other to maintain a higher standard of relating?

This post didn’t need to detail what will happen if we don’t answer the call to transform. We can see the consequences in extreme, compounding disasters all around us. Remember that despair does not have to be a soul-death sentence. You are not alone. The capitalist idea, based on out-dated colonial logic, that all we need to do is buy our own little survival raft is an illusion. Whether we like it or not, all of humanity is on one big ship together. And we know it is not the one heading out to Mars.

It is time to transcend our fears, sprout, initiate — and find our way back to ourselves, each other, and the Earth.

We can build a more equitable and inclusive society. We can become good neighbours to our Earth Relatives again.

Not only can we do this. We are designed for it.

With thanks to the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, Mitacs, and the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia for their funding support. With thanks to Emily Carr University of Art + Design and the City of Vancouver for hosting this work.

Disclaimer: the opinions and perspectives expressed within each of these posts are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and perspectives of all CJFS participants.