Ditching Scarcity: Let's Talk Climate

Let's continue diving into the wild world of climate conversations.

Today "scarcity" seems to be the name of the game. We keep hearing that there's just not enough of anything. Time, money, knowledge, resources, influence, care, fancy tech, solutions at scale...

For the ones that care about this, it can feel like our efforts are crushed by 'everything else' ?that surrounds us, whispering in our ears, "Sorry, but just not enough!"

Scarcity can come in many flavours, and when it comes to climate change, time is a key ingredient. We're in a race against it, no doubt. We need big changes, and we need them now.

Here is the thing: there's a difference between acknowledging the facts of scarcity and letting it mess with our heads (our triggered physical and mental reactions). Studies have shown that feeling the pinch of scarcity can seriously cramp our creativity. We are so focused on protecting what little we have that we shoot down ideas faster than a cheetah chasing its lunch. The trouble is that when we start believing we can't change anything, we then go into despair.

The World of Coaching and Change

If you are a coach or have ever been involved with change, you most likely will have seen people worrying; worrying about the change, even with trickling feelings and thoughts that "the rest of the world" carries on with their "everything's fine". Perhaps this is through the concern of "the world" carrying on as it is. This can feel like an isolating landscape fueling self-doubt and paralysing progress.

Have you ever heard of the concept of scarcity vs. abundance in the world of coaching and change? It's a thing, look it up. When we embrace a scarcity mindset, fear and doubt tend to take the guiding role, preventing us from fully living our purpose. But when we shift to an abundance mindset, things start to open up, and possibilities surface. We gain focus and a sense of 'what if'. It's like putting on a pair of high-definition glasses that highlight opportunities rather than limitations.

You can draw a parallel from the 'scarcity vs. abundance' to the work of Carol Dweck and her exploration of the 'growth mindset vs fixed mindset'. A scarcity mindset aligns with the fixed mindset, where there is a belief that our abilities and resources are limited, while an abundance mindset aligns with the growth mindset, where there is room for growth, learning, and abundance in every aspect of our lives.

#strongertogether

So, let's ditch the scarcity mindset and embrace the power of abundance. We have what it takes to make a difference in the world of climate change. And if we don't "have it all", the good news is that we don't have to do this alone.

The transition to regenerative practices requires collaboration and expertise from a wide range of professionals, including designers, engineers, supply chain managers, and waste reduction specialists.?It is also is really context driven, looking at where the change is to be? Who are your stakeholders? Your household, your community, your neighbours, your team, your C-suite, your suppliers...

It's time to tap into our creativity, collaborate with others, and make choices that move us FORWARD. We don’t have to do this alone. By investing in experienced subject matter expertise and supporting professionals--that are putting their time, effort, and finances--who are dedicated to this cause, we can accelerate progress towards a more sustainable tomorrow. (I’m not saying future, this starts now.)

Flipping the Script

This scarcity mindset trickles down into our consumer-driven society. Ads are always screaming at us, "Buy now or forever hold your peace!" They make us feel like we're missing out on life if we don't act fast. FOMO anyone?!

How about JOMO? The Joy Of Missing Out.

The funny thing is, we don't actually need most of that stuff. Scarcity even creeps into business models, like the fast fashion industry. (15 million clothes go to landfill every year, that's equivalent of a truck full going to incineration every single second)

But guess what? We have the power to shake things up! The current scarcity paradigm is like a well-rehearsed dance, but we can kick off our own jam and boogie to the beat of abundance. How, you ask? Well, it starts with taking a breather. Slow down. Reflect on this scarcity rollercoaster we're riding. Let's reconnect with what truly matters, like appreciating the treasures hiding in our closets before we hit the stores. And hey, the same goes for knowledge and action. When we start feeling inadequate or overwhelmed, instead of drowning in self-doubt, let's embrace our passion for the cause. Let's take responsibility, knowing that every little action matters.

> How to loosen the grip of scarcity and create space for real connections with others? This is something that helps me ground:

Our brains can't tell the difference between the fear of global collapse and other scarcity triggers. Activate that logical thinking part of our brain, the prefrontal cortex (otherwise unavailable when flooded with fear)

• From panic to reason
• From FOMO to JOMO
• From urgency to agency

Outrage and Optimism

If you're eager to dive deeper into the topics of climate change, current unfolding events and related systems; check out "Outrage and Optimism." Hosted by Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson, this podcast explores the challenges and solutions in addressing the biggest challenge our species have faced to date while grounding on optimism.

Finding hope matters.

It's a great listen to nurture your inspiration and broaden your perspectives. Including a recent episode about "3 Ways To Communicate About Climate Change". So, give it a go and break free from fear triggers on your journey to make a meaningful impact.

Time to bid farewell to scarcity and welcome 'what if' into our climate conversations.

There is a better way.

The time is now.