Hey Reader,
Whilst climate change is well and truly upon us, this is not the time to give up and assume that we are all toast. In fact, many scientists are pushing for us to think beyond the doom and gloom and look to legitimate actions that can truly avoid more significant climate change.
According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), "There is still time to limit climate change, but it requires immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors." UN source
In our first edition of Interconnected, we are highlighting 5 things that not only give us clarity on hope, but provide each of us with a pathway to action for a climate-positive future.
READ
What if we get it right?
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist with a positive take on climate action. Her TED talk gives practical actions, but her new book What if We Get it Right? Visions of Climate Futures is a full take on the positive potential we have to move into a climate-positive future.
Embracing a full systems perspective, Johnson acknowledges that “the climate crisis is the result of social, political, and economic systems that are wildly skewed to benefit those who already have so much"—yet through a community-centered conversation pulling in perspective from artists, activists, and scientists, she leaves readers not just with hope, but also with actionable guidance to forge new pathways.
Project Drawdown
The full Project Drawdown site is excellent to explore and bookmark for creative solutions that scientifically address climate change. They have a full stack of solutions in their library and a roadmap that crosses sectors, time, and geographies to eliminate barriers to action and co-maximize benefits on the path to climate solutions. Additionally, they offer a free video series called Climate Solutions 101, which encompasses a global educational effort completely focused on climate solutions and a toolkit for ways to take action on climate at work.
Eco-Anxiety: The Opportunities for Positive Change
In 2024, our team spearheaded an initiative to create a free Eco Anxiety Action-Oriented Toolkit, written and designed by Charlotte Adams. We engaged in a comprehensive review of the existing research and created a survey for our global community to share their experiences with climate and eco anxiety.
We were really surprised by the results and impressed with the solutions that science offers us all for ways to move through these complex emotions relating to nature's destruction. In support of this initiative, Leyla Acaroglu wrote a three-part article series that walks through the rising peak of eco anxiety, how eco anxiety affects global citizensand the opportunities for positive change to help explore this field and share insights into what we can each do.
LISTEN
What to do when it feels like it’s all too much
The Hidden Brain podcast is dedicated to one of our favorite topics, Cognitive Science and the power of reframing to lead to action, or as we like to say—hacking your brain for positive outcomes!
In this new episode titled “Wellness 2.0: When it’s All Too Much”, listen to researcher Sarah Jaquette Ray, am environmental scientist, discuss the psychology of inaction on climate and the environment and explore the fascinating science behind doom-ism and what solutions can lead to productivity and the surprising power of community to help overcome it. It’s really worth the listen!
A note from Leyla:
I listened to this and was enthralled by the research. I really connected with the experiences that Sarah shares of being an environmental science university teacher and the nihilism that she and her students feel when confronted with the magnitude of the problems. I wrote about some of this in my new book, The UnSchool of Disruptive Design, which is a 10 year compendium of all the work we have done, but also a reflection on my own transformation. I was really inspired early on in my career to overcome the negative messaging that so much of the sustainability and environmental action space took, and to this day, I refuse to sit in hopelessness.
But whenever I find myself there, I work to reframe the narrative and look for the opportunity to take action or reflect on the past where similar scenarios have been overcome. It’s not a blind optimism—it's a cognitive hack to not allow despair to seep in and take up residence in my mind. I also really connected with Sarah’s own gardening self-care routine, which is something that I do! There is nothing as nourishing (for me) as growing your own food and having to work with nature!
REFLECT + ENGAGE
Join a movement and connect to community
Whether you need an inspiration boost or feel frustrated by a lack of action on critical issues like climate change, joining a community of like-minded people can be an antidote!
Check out this list of six great, free-to-join organizations elevating impact on climate and sustainability. Then, choose one (or more!) to join and let the power of community help you get activated and connected.
LEARN LIVE ONLINE
Circular Economy ISO 59000 Series Workshop
The second cohort of our ISO 59000 Workshop Series is starting this week, and we've just added a new opportunity for a third cohort in Spring 2025!
- What is it? An advanced-level look at the new ISO Circular Economy standards, this Workshop includes practical guidance and activities that assist in the implementation of the standards and support consultants in delivering advice on the CE ISO 59000 series.
- When/where is it? Join from anywhere with wifi! Sessions will be on April 22, 24, 28 and 30 from 10am-11:30am (GMT) / 5am-6:30am (EST) / 7pm-8:30 (AEDT)
- Who’s it for? This workshop is for practitioners in CE and sustainability, business decision-makers, those who want to implement the standards in their businesses, and leaders who need to respond to international CE legislation.
- Key content covered: Aside from going through each of the 3 main standards, you will learn about additional advancements globally and locally, as well as systems thinking and life cycle thinking skills, which are now embedded in the new standards.
Tiered pricing is available, and if you need an invoice for reimbursement from your organization, just let us know. Click here to learn more and register.