Here are some basic tools to use in organizing the people around you, and building a movement.
— There’s nothing like a good “listen” to make space for somebody’s clear, creative thinking to emerge. And there is no shortage of listeners. Everywhere around the world, people can take turns and listen to each other.
With a simple pact that the listener gives the speaker total, focused attention — without interruption, advice, or argument — we will find that there’s more brilliance and ability in the world than anybody has dreamed.
— Solid organizing begins with close, in-person friendships. Get good at making friends, including with folks who are “different” from you — in skin color, class, age, gender, nationality, etc.
Reason: People can hear outside-the-mainstream ideas (such as “Let’s stop the climate emergency”) best from someone who likes them and who they trust.
With close friends you can more effectively take on projects that prevent more CO2 getting into the sky. Friends can listen while you think, and they keep on supporting you even when you make a mistake.
With close friends you can face scary political or weather events. Things are starting to happen that will be too big to face alone!
— Any time several people get together, begin with a few minutes of listening pairs. Someone can keep time so everyone gets equal turns. You can begin with “What’s going well in your life lately?” Then you can go to your connection with Nature, as in “What’s an outdoor place (or a plant or animal) that you care about?”
Reason: People feel more connected and involved when they get a chance to talk from their own experience. People enjoy noticing their connection to Nature — and that others also feel connected to Nature.
— Use speaking order in group discussions. Those who typically are least consulted get to talk first. For example: young people (children and teens), then people of color, then blue/pink collar workers, then any remaining women, then any remaining men.
Reason: This gives voice to those the mainstream usually doesn’t consult, and will often bring to light “invisible” information and perspectives.
— There are no real conflicts between human beings. When we put aside apparent conflicts having to do with wealth or power, there will always be at least one elegant solution to any real problem. Often, solutions come to light if we use listening pairs.
— Laughter is a good tool for reducing fear. If we can get a whole roomful of folks laughing, they have fun and they start to feel confident. It’s important not to laugh at someone’s expense, but rather to laugh at, for example, the absurdity of a situation.
— Shivering / shaking / trembling is another good tool for reducing fear. Shaking can happen when you consider taking a bold step in the face of your fears.
— In the face of the loss of beautiful places, and beloved animals and trees, a chance to grieve and sob when we are together is totally appropriate. Unspoken grief immobilizes, whereas expressed grief frees up new energy and ideas.
Doctors and counselors have recently been noticing something they are calling “climate anxiety.” A person with climate anxiety can either use drugs or alcohol to numb it out, or can take action. Becoming active in the climate movement seems to work better, because action puts us in touch with our own personal power or agency. People trying this route say in surprise, “My fear fell away as soon as I started being active!”