As we wind down for a much-needed holiday break, I've been reflecting on how to keep planetary wellbeing front of mind during this period of rest and restoration.
A ‘seasonal’ gift – for you!
In the spirit of the season, here's small gift for you. It’s a Spotify climate change playlist, carefully curated, to give you a dose of hope, belief that we can be part of the change that’s needed, and motivation to act. Feel free to enjoy the playlist while you’re relaxing over your break, or to give you a bit of a motivational boost as you gear up for 2022.
The playlist could be great background music while you contemplate what climate and sustainability commitments you can make in the year ahead, and the ways in which you can be part of collective changes and action.
As one of the playlist songs says, A Change is Gonna Come. Part of that change is the climate instability we’re already experiencing. No doubt during your holiday break you, and others around you, will be talking about the weather. If this brings up climate anxiety for you or anyone around you, here’s some suggestions for how to talk about it.
The changes we need to focus on are those that we can control and influence. These are the changes that we can make as a society through emissions reduction, and other work that sustains and regenerates nature’s systems. Here in Aotearoa our government has been shaping plans for emissions reduction that will need to be acted on with urgency.
What are your climate and sustainability resolutions for 2022?
The past couple of years have an incredible period of action, mobilisation, commitment, and collaboration on climate and sustainability action. If you’re in the segment of the education community that’s already active in this space, you’ll know what I’m talking about. There has been a phenomenal level of engagement and networking amongst people and organisations that are committed to action on climate change and sustainable futures. Education was on the agenda at COP26. Educators, and education unions all around the world, are making strong commitments to push for quality climate change education for all. A few countries are developing overarching strategies for education for climate change and a zero-carbon future. Fantastic work on climate action and just transitions is happening in schools, communities, organisations, and youth-led networks around Aotearoa.
Yet, there is still so much work to be done, and we need more people in this work. I have big hopes for 2022.
Our team will be back in the new year with more research insights and guidance to support you, your schools, and communities, to develop and follow through on collective commitments to climate and sustainability. We have recently had some energising stakeholder meetings to get feedback on our research next steps and direction. More on that in the new year!
Here’s an extra stocking-filler.
Our team recently took a break from hard thinking to take this short quiz to find out what kind of climate changemaker each of us could be. It’s clear that we can each bring different strengths to this mahi. Take a few minutes to try it yourself ! Perhaps you want to share this with your friends and family over the holidays, and talk about what climate and sustainability actions you can commit to working on together.
(While you listen to the playlist, of course!).