Awesome day-my walk storyfor today-PUSHCOP29 Day 8: Climate Justice Walk in Cambridge

"Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It directly affects how we live and work. Cities, as hubs of people, infrastructure, economic activity and culture, are at the heart of the climate crisis. Engaging communities in climate planning can help cities shift from reactive responses to proactive resilience. Yet, residents’ perspectives on climate risks and solutions are seldom explored."

Economist.

My walk in Cambridge is all about talking to people:

Winter, with its frosty breath and silver-slick roads, declared itself with authority across the UK. Snow and disruption painted a grim picture on the national canvas, but in Cambridge, the sun emerged as an improbable ally. Its brittle light danced over ancient rooftops and frozen puddles, casting long shadows on a city caught between past and present.

My day began not on the streets, but through the wires of a global conversation. Coordinated by the indefatigable Thobile Chittenden, I joined a regional call spanning Aotearoa, Australia, and Asia. The voices were a chorus of purpose, each note ringing with the conviction that a better planet and a well-being economy were within our grasp.

We delved into inspiring narratives:

? Member highlights: From podcast launches to poetry advocating for justice, and efforts to declare states of emergency on housing and homelessness in Australia, passion blazed in every corner of our shared screen.

? Australia's strides: Meg’s updates on the Australian hub were exhilarating—conversations challenging economic orthodoxy, sold-out events, and plans for live engagements that would ripple across generations.

? Aotearoa's new economic story: Gareth brought tales of sold-out conferences, citizen-centered policies, and community wealth-building, reminding us that reshaping the economy requires reshaping its narrative.

? Stories and craft: My own contributions revolved around connecting through stories, amplifying the voices of India’s 200 million artisans, and advocating for sustainability through the Kula Conclave in Goa this December.

The sense of solidarity was electric—a quilt of hope woven across time zones.

A Walk Through Cambridge

The sun’s deceptive warmth met the chill of the wind as I stepped out, layers bundled against the cold, my breath misting in defiance. Frozen puddles mirrored the blue sky, treacherous to the brisk pace I favor. Histon Road called first, my boots crunching over fallen leaves—russet, gold, and crimson in their final act.

Stopping at my favorite CO-OP, I picked up a copy of the Cambridge Independent. There it was, an article on my climate justice walks, the words “climate justice” standing proud in ink. “You’re news only if you’re the news,” I remembered an old editor saying, and I couldn’t help but smile at the irony.

The streets brimmed with life—schoolchildren in high-visibility jackets marched along narrow pavements, their jackets bearing a gentle exhortation: Use bicycles. Some cheered me on, their carers shushing them, but the children’s irrepressible spirit shone brighter than the winter sun.

Turning towards Arbury, Cambridge revealed a different face. The sheen of its ancient colleges gave way to streets less gilded—cracked pavements and weary buildings, young mothers wrestling with prams and the weight of the day. Each encounter became an opportunity. “Is the climate changing?” I asked a cyclist named Charles. He hesitated. “Maybe.” Cynthia, a student, was more certain: “Very much.” The answers varied, but the questions lingered, shaping my journey.

As I walked, the reflections swirled. Solidarity glowed in the work of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and the artisans of India, their crafts bearing the weight of history and the promise of a sustainable future. Yet, the urgency was inescapable—time slipping through our fingers like the whispering leaves that cascaded around me.

Three hours and nearly 15,000 steps later, my legs protested, but my resolve did not waver. Every step, every conversation, strengthened my determination. To walk, to seek, to speak truth to power.

Tomorrow awaits, as does Day 9 of this journey. But for now, the city rests, and so do I, warmed by the thought of those walking beside me—some in person, others in spirit, all united in purpose.