On last week's show with Robert Hunziker, talking about the Michael Wallace-Wells article, "The Uninhabitable Earth," we intended to talk more about the difficult subject of "how best to talk about worst-case scenarios" of climate disruption. We mostly talked about those very worst-case scenarios. Was it effective? Was it empowering, or dis-empowering? These are difficult and frightening and bewildering times, and obviously not just because of the climate emergency.
In this program, with guests Barbara Ford and Maya Jarrad, we'll talk more about how we cope personally with being overwhelmed by it all and find strengh in ourselves and with others to persevere and hopefully be more effective. Barbara is a climate activist with 350PDX, and coordinates the 350PDX Climate Odyssey program, which aims to support activists through community building, resilience practices, arts, and anti-oppression training. Maya is Community Organizer and Volunteer Coordinator for 350PDX, a local chapter of the international organization 350.org.
At the same time, in light of the Wallace-Wells article and others like it, it is important to be as cognizant as we are able regarding the real-time developing dynamics of climate change. In light of the reality (to the extent we are able to understand it), what actually has a chance of changing that dynamic, of bringing some stability back into the global climate system? Are various proposed plans, solutions, policies, technologies (even assuming they can be implemented) actually capable of having a sufficient influence to make the necessary difference?
Which brings us back around to how to talk about worst-case scenarios--beginning with how we talk to ourselves and those around us. It's probably not helpful to avoid the subject, as these are real possibilities. But it can also be paralyzing because of the immensity of the problem (climate change as well as everything that has created it).
So let's talk about it! As always, the number to call in is 503-231-8187.
- KBOO