Survival: a different mindset

Yesterday, I toured the streets of Copenhagen with three fellow American climate activists. All had come to initiate change and help to make history here in Copenhagen. And although they seemed very eager to socialize, relax and explore, there was also an underlying tension in my new found friends. As the result and impact of the conference is still in many ways up in the air, there was no defined consensus on how we felt about the conference. These folks had undoubtedly put vast amounts of energy and passion into Copenhagen, so I think that in itself is a disappointment--the unknown. But there was more than that--a sense of frustration, I think. Maybe even betrayal. (Read this Jessy Tolkan article in the Huffington Post. She is a leading climate activist in America, and was one of the NGO participants here in Copenhagen.)

Those American youth who made the trip to Copenhagen, did so loudly. And the message was clear: we need to find a way to solve the climate change crisis, and America MUST lead the way.

Many here saw Superman potential in President Barack Obama. Many hoped that he would find a way to overcome his domestic politics, and lead the way on this issue. Many, including my friends from yesterday, saw the potential for Obama to rewrite history and "save our generation" by using his executive power and visionary leadership potential. I voiced my skepticism on this point, citing the political uncertainties and lack of supporting legislation back home. I said that using an Executive Order would be "political suicide". My thought was that such a demonstration of power would be counterproductive anyway, as it could turn the American people against him, and the entire issue of climate change.

The response was clear: It is too late for politics. It is too late for the same old methods, too late for the process. Our planet is at a tipping point NOW, and we don't have time to wait. This is clearly the voice from the activists of my age group. There is a sense of betrayal; a sense of passionate urgency.

And that is a new perspective to me. Coming from Montana, I have always felt terribly conscious and passionate in regards to the problem and its solutions, but when your surrounded by people who don't necessarily care about the problem--or even acknowledge its existence--it is hard to understand and to feel that sense of urgency. When you're still trying to convince your neighbor on the truth behind the science, it is hard to be thinking about the big picture. It's hard to conceptualize climate change as a life or death catastrophe.

And here in Copenhagen, that is exactly the mindset: life or death. Maybe not so for some politicians, and maybe not so for some privileged, disconnected Americans back home, who wont get hit hard by the effects of this problem. But it is a simple matter of survival when you talk to people who inhabit the Maldives. It is life or death when you talk to people from southern Africa, who are already feeling the effects of historic drought. When you talk with the delegate from Tuvalu, he is worried about the existence of his country in fifty years, not his country's economic future. Bangladesh? West Africa? Ask them about the science. We're talking floods, crop failure, famine, mass displacement, genocide, wars fought over natural resources. This is also the position of my peers--my fellow activists who are devoting their lives to fighting climate change.

It is simply a different mindset--one based on urgency and survival, not luxury or financial freedom.

Now I accept this position. I sympathize with this viewpoint. I think that we are driving towards the cliff, and we haven't even taken our foot from the accelerator, let alone hit the brakes. I feel for this mindset. But is it realistic? Is it realistic to ask President Obama to sacrifice his Presidency for this cause? Is more good going to be done than bad, if he truly chose to rise against climate change without backing? Is it even possible for him to change things without the support from his own Congress? These are all questions that I have, questions without answers. "Because what is the alternative?" ask my peers. "Let climate change take effect? Sit back and watch people die?"

How do you fight something like this when the stakes are so high, but the support is not enough--the political evolutionary process is too slow? My reaction has always been, "We need to educate America. We need to find ways to make people care about the environment." That has always been my approach, but yesterday I was told that education is not enough anymore--we are past that point.

Do you start a movement?--a revolution?


Well, I would say that the movement has already begun. Bring out the pitchforks...