storytelling to tackle the climate crisis

Where Were You When It Happened?

The climate crisis has short-circuited one of our most basic survival strategies. Normally, we respond to disaster by sharing a common story – our “where I was when it happened” experience. Think of 9/11. Where you were when it happened? We share these recollections time-and-again with each other. 

Such stories play a crucial role. They help process tragedy by connecting us as a community in grief. We remind ourselves and each other of what happened so we never forget. These conversations can also inspire action. Perhaps the best instance is after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States was late getting into the fight against a brutal barbarism that cast a shadow over the world. Remembering the day “that shall live in infamy” was key to the all-in, all-out mobilization that turned the tide in WWII.

Today, too many nations are far from facing climate full-on. Our future depends on whether we can muster an all-in, all-out mobilization. But the climate crisis is a slow-motion cataclysm. There isn’t any  single event to call us to action, triggering our crucial storytelling response. But a version of this has started to pop up with “how I realized the urgency of the climate crisis” stories. How to have these on everyone's hearts, minds and lips?

The purpose of this project is to enable and encourage these climate awareness stories by providing a place to tell them. Some share their (more than) twice-told tales, while others discover their own. It is also an opportunity for parents and children to have a heartfelt conversation about the future. How can we move forward together? Through this, we support one another.  We channel anxiety into action, getting past fear and despair. This is how we turn from tragedy. Then, with hopeful hearts, we're ready to trudge the road to a brighter tomorrow. 

Won't you join us to share your story? 

The Workshops:

The structure of the storytelling workshops is simple (see sidebar). It  can be adapted to whatever works best for your community. There are just a few "musts": These must be family-friendly and completely commerce-free. They must be open to all with a desire to deal with the climate crisis. They must be offered freely as a gift,  consistent with the Santa Soaked vision of uncommercialized holidays. There's a few "shoulds," too: They should be easy to organize and operate, as well as inexpensive to run. Most anyone should be able to do this. Just add friends &  family!