How a Small Group of People is Changing the World
2021 saw one climate disaster after another. The world’s glaciers were melting faster than ever, deadly heat domes cooked North America, and floods ravaged Europe and Africa. Atmospheric carbon reached an all-time high. And the COP26 agreement did not go nearly far enough to curb a rise in global temperatures above two degrees Celsius.
I always thought I was doing my part by recycling, shutting off lights, and not eating meat. But on New Year’s Eve 2022, I realized that personal action would not solve this crisis. I had a sinking feeling in my gut that unless everyone on this planet worked together to fix our broken systems, nothing would ever change.
Then, in mid-February, I received an email invitation to join an international group working on the climate crisis. The entire project was run by volunteers and it centered around a book called The Carbon Almanac.
Unlike most books on climate change, this one promised something special: to simply present the facts.
Once the book was written, the group’s task was to spread the word, keep the conversation going and work towards systemic change.
When I signed onto the platform, I was surprised by the amount of activity taking place. There were so many people and so many projects, I was overwhelmed. I wondered how — or if — I would fit into this community of expert graphic designers, writers, editors, and more. I almost logged out — for good. Fortunately, something stopped me and I took a plunge that in six short weeks has changed me forever.
I can now speak confidently about climate change with facts, not just my opinions. I have much less anxiety. And I wake up in the morning excited that I get to work on something that is making a difference.
The best part: I am part of something bigger than myself — a diverse community determined to achieve a common goal to make things better.
A friend recently asked me what it was like to work remotely with nearly 2,000 other people.
“I bet there are fights galore,” she said with a gleam in her eye (she loves workplace drama).
“Not at all,” I replied. “Actually, I’ve never worked with a team that got along so well. Everyone is respectful and encouraging. We’ve all put our egos aside, rolled up our sleeves and got to work. And we’ve created far more than a book. We’ve created a global movement for systemic change.”
Anthropologist Margaret Mead once famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” And The Carbon Almanac Network is on its way to proving her right.
Katherine Palmer is a copywriter, storyteller, horticulturist, and member of The Carbon Almanac Network. Learn more at thecarbonalmanac.org.
