The resilient life – how we can all get here
It began when I went to see the National Emergency Briefing film. Honestly, I was dreading it – I expected to feel totally gutted afterwards. But the team had done a really good job.
In fact, as the film came to a close, I felt hopeful. Looking the demon in the eye and seeing the opportunities we have, felt empowering rather than petrifying.
The missing piece for me was something for the audience to take away with them. Something with ideas for what they might do to make a difference. So I spent the next 10 days writing a handbook of ideas: How to Live a Resilient, Resourceful Life - a practical guide to a safer more reliable future
During that 10 days a new door opened for me.
Life could be even better
I could suddenly see just how much better the net zero life could be. Without all the pollution, stress and fear, we could live in a really positive way. And that was a surprise.
I’ve lived with the knowledge of climate change for over 40 years, so I know how easy it is to get stuck in the weeds. Now here I was, looking at all the ways I’d chosen to live in harmony with the planet and I saw a very different picture.
I cut my cloth
Maybe it’s not a coincidence that I’m 77 and going strong. I should be retired by now – instead I’m beginning again and with my biggest challenge yet. Maybe this living in harmony has something going for it.
With hindsight there was so much more I could have done, but I have to forgive myself for that – I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
Whatever I did, the theme was always to live lightly:
no pushing for a bigger house – just making the one we had the very best it could be
choosing good quality clothes to last – now I have a stylish ‘vintage’ wardrobe!
sticking with one car for the family and using the train at every opportunity
Once you start seeing, it’s hard to stop
I've discovered that looking after the earth is the same as doing the best for ourselves. It makes sense when you think about it. We're in the same system as the planet - we're interdependent. So what works for one will work for the other.
I began to understand this when renovating our Victorian home. John and I agreed we’d make the planet our number one priority and I now know that this one decision saved us from so many mistakes. Using natural, planet friendly materials meant plastic insulation was off the menu, regardless of what the builder recommended.
After three years of learning about eco renovation and eco building I realise this saved us from condensation, mould, overheating in summer, off gassing. Putting planet first was better for us and our home.
We can go against nature to a certain degree. But overdo it – and we’ve definitely been over doing it – and the whole system is thrown out of kilter. And since we’re part of the system that means that we are also thrown out of kilter.
Nature is there to serve us – or so we assume
‘Nature is important – because it serves us – and that’s our due.’
This has been the prevailing mindset for at least 100 years. We believe we’re owed our lives, that we’re superior beings, that we call the shots.
What we fail to see is our complete dependence. The system will continue to function – and adapt to the changes we’ve forced on it – whether it works for us or not. We’re no different to other forms of life that have messed up the balance – they just didn’t fit anymore, so they are gone.
Our obsession with carbon is changing the system – almost to the point where the system won’t work for us anymore. We’re changing the balance and we’re creating a world we can’t live in. The planet will survive us. She’s thrives with harmony - she creates it and works with it. She’ll get back to it eventually – maybe in a million years – and maybe more humans will evolve. Let's hope they understand the system better than we’ve done.
It’s not over ‘till it’s over
Living in harmony can start right now. And if enough of us decide to take our place in the system, change will happen. So let me encourage you:
Start by watching the National Emergency Briefing.
At present you can only watch it at special screenings. The organisers are working on the government, asking them to have the film shown on national TV, but that’s in the future. Don’t wait for that – time is short – we need to get moving.
Let it all sink in. Talk with the people around you. Join forces with others working for change. There’s loads of opportunity out there, so find something that speaks to you and get going.
Second: Get a copy of the booklet: How to Live a Resilient, Resourceful Life
Give it a quick read through, then choose one area of your life to start with – greening your home, travel, sorting your money. Focus in on that area:
How are you doing now? Marks out of 10?
What could you do differently?
Where will you start?
Don’t try to do it all at once. You’ll get overwhelmed and give up. Choose one action, get that under your belt .then move onto the next
Third: Look for like minded people.
Get your friends on board with you. Join an action group and get to know people there. Start discussions at work. You could even set up a screening of the Briefing at your work and take them the booklet.
Tell people what you’re going to do. That will stiffen your backbone!
Remember the vision
It's too easy to assume that the future is all hair shirt. In fact, it will be so much better than we have now.
We’ll live in clean unpolluted air. Fewer kids with asthma, eczema, respiratory problems.
Roads will be quieter as the electric vehicles take over
Toddlers in pushchairs will no longer be living in a soup of exhaust fumes
There will be more trees and woodland spaces for us to enjoy.
We’ll be fitter, stronger and more healthy as we eat more plant based
Our homes will be more comfortable and energy bills will be - at worst, minimal: at best ,non-existent.
We’ll be working together in community – lots more support and fun times together as we learn from our experience of being isolated and over communicated.
It's all to go for
Remember that. Talk about it to anyone who'll listen. Start creating it in your own home today.
We can do this - we just need to work hard and work together.
