Emily Cunningham

#ClimateTwitter, @AyadeLeon & I were talking about this thread, specifically what makes it possible for people to shift into climate activism. Aya had the brilliant idea to crowd source this by sharing personal stories. I'm excited what we can all learn from each other. THREADhttps://twitter.com/emahlee/status/1210384302506012672 …

2. Before I shifted into climate activism, I had much of the same terrifying and heartbreaking info about climate that I have now. I just wasn't able to face it or act on it. In other words, I was in the exact place many of my friends and family are in right now.

3. It took a supportive community of committed, brave risk-takers (@AMZNforClimate) where emotions were welcome, and doing something very public and very scary for me to face the climate crisis in the way that felt aligned with my own integrity and with, um, reality.

4. I have a hunch that having community is key for most people being able to act on climate. Climate is so big and so scary that it can feel unbearable and not possible if we think/feel like we're alone (even if we aren't).

5. Another ingredient may be some kind of path where people see possibility and action happening. So a group or a person they trust will have some kind of impact, even if it's small, if they join with them. Being inspired by others' bravery also seems to have an impact.

6. Another: deep listening. So many things are possible when people have a chance to be deeply listened to. For them to have a chance to process devastating news, to talk about where they feel powerless or alone or scared or heartbroken.

7. Maybe oppression has meant that you and your people have always been fighting climate. Is there anything you'd like to share? If not, how were you able to shift into climate activism? Or into prioritizing climate if you're a journalist, writer, scientist, academic, etc?

8. In other words, what made it possible for you to really engage with climate? For you to prioritize it in your life and actions? I'm curious what other's experiences are going from absorbing news about climate, to really taking it on. Can we learn from this and scale it out?