As 2024 draws to a close, my graduate internship role with the Sustainability team comes to an end too. I spent the last five years at the University advocating for a decolonised climate education for all as an undergrad, then a postgrad student, and finally working as the Sustainable Education Project Manager. It has been a long old journey, and I didn’t expect to spend so long in this community when I arrived in 2019.
I’ve compiled a few tips for younger Beth, and for anyone of any age out there looking to dedicate their life (or a portion of it!) to climate activism.
- Get In Touch With Your Feelings
I’ve become very interested in the rise of climate anxiety and ecological grief, since experiencing it myself during lockdown in 2020. Specifically, on how to move through these emotions practically and constructively. Experts across the world agree that climate anxiety is a rational response to the climate and ecological breakdown we are experiencing.
More needs to be done to explain to others that it is perfectly normal to feel angry, disappointed, heartbroken, positive, determined and tired and to speak about this with others.
You don’t need to hide your feelings to be accepted, and often, bringing a greater degree of emotional intelligence into conversations around the climate, bridges gaps and makes things more productive for all.
- Students Are The Way Forward
Students have passion, energy, expertise and lived experience that should never be ignored, especially at university.
They are imaginative, creative, and brave in their commitment to fighting the climate crisis. Conversations without them are weaker for it. Instead of seeing student protest as something to avoid, or be afraid of, why not see it as a manifestation of student empathy, intelligence, and connection? Speak to the activists.
See what they have to say. It’s not always about finding a solution, sometimes it’s better just to listen, and take notes.
- Everyone’s An Artist
As a marine scientist, art is never something I would have thought I would find helpful for activism.
But!! Wow! I have been lucky to work with a range of artists, which has brought connection and reprieve from the heavy topic of climate change.
It has allowed me to connect with other students and members, understand myself and others more deeply, and brought joy to my work. A highlight has been the Mossy Carpet initiative (pic above).
- The Seasons of Activism
Burnout is not just a buzzword. Like nature has its seasons, we need to have time to rest and recuperate.
Activism is a journey, and climate change will affect our whole lives, so we have to act like it. Try to make a note of activities that make you feel recharged (in my case, it’s a winter dip in the sea). If we are going to be cool grandmas in the 2080s at the climate marches, we need to pace ourselves.
- You Don’t Always Get What You Want (And Why That’s OK)
Progress is going to be about compromise, but don’t let that stop you from trying to tackle big issues.
By the end of my third year in Streatham, we had only achieved one of our goals in our ambitious Five Demands campaign. I wasn’t very pleased! But here I am, two and a half years later, still helping to achieve goals two and five as my full time job, and still hearing about the impact our campaign had on others.