My Climate Story

I recently came across my climate story, written in 2020, as I was doing the Climate Reality Project leadership Corps training. I wrote this, when I was transitioning into circular economy. This still resonates with me so much... so, on the recommendation of my colleague Saad Haque , I am sharing it today.

Note: I have since experienced so many more climate change events, and also learned so much more, met so many incredible and inspiring people. Australia/ the world has also made a lot of progress in this space, not enough yet but it is happening ... I am lucky to be working day to day on these pressing issues and bring my contribution to the transformation we need... more to come about this...

26 July 2020

"My daughter Charline is 4 and my son Mateo is 2.5 years. I love them from the bottom of my heart and I do everything to give them a bright future …But, by the time Mateo is 20 and Charline 22, humanity could cross a point of no return after which limiting global warming below 2°C in 2100 will be unlikely.? This could compromise their entire life. Is this the legacy we want to leave our children?

My biggest fear is having to tell my grownup children at the dinner table that “I knew and yet I did nothing”!

My entire life I have experienced and seen firsthand the effect of climate change and our current economic systems. Floods, bushfires, heat waves, extreme pollution. Yet, it took me 33 years to realise that I had something to do with it and that I could actually do something about it. The fact that it took me 3 decades does not matter, what matters is what I did once I knew.

When I first got pregnant, I realized that I was becoming responsible and accountable for another human being. And my perspective on life changed dramatically. I started questioning the simplest everyday decisions and actions I was taking, curious to find out what that meant for my baby’s health and future. Is the conventional food I am eating giving the right nutrients for my baby to develop? Is a plastic baby bottle healthy despite the “BPA free” reference? What are we going to do with all these baby clothes and items once our daughter has outgrown them (in a few months). Oh, we will throw them away. But where is away?

I became this private investigator, thirsty to learn more about how we live and why we live that way. From documentaries to books to community groups and discussions with friends, I realized that many of us have fallen asleep at the wheel and are actually ignorant. Learning about the damage our lifestyle is having on nature, biodiversity, the climate, our own health appalled me. The lack of care or concern from our leaders in the corporate and political world got me angry.

When I met Natalie Isaacs , founder of 1 Million Women , her story inspired me and she made me realise that each and everyone of us has the power to drive the change, even through 1 single action. My anger and sadness transformed into passion, commitment and determination. I got onto a zero waste journey, seeking opportunities to reduce our impact on the planet. It did not happen over night, change takes time, self awareness and self care. Over the years, we managed to integrate different habits, like reducing our meat and dairy consumption, avoiding single use packaging, thinking twice about driving somewhere. I also started looking food labels to boycott palm oil products, and it is everywhere! Now, I have this image of the Amazon deforestation coming to my mind when I see a product with palm oil. I use my consumer power to say “No, no more. I do not endorse this irresponsible production model”. I am only 1 individual say 7 billion of people…I matter, I can make a difference and together we can make a greater difference for the survival of humanity. As I learned more about the terrible consequences of over consumption and global industrialization, I could not help but share my findings with my family and friends. In turn, the knowledge sank in with them, my actions showed them it is possible to do something about it. Seeing the change of perspective and their sustainable journey start and evolve has totally blown me away.

Once you know, you can no longer ignore it. The truth is too strong. I cannot decently go on like nothing is happening. Not anymore. From individual actions for our family I moved to a career shift. To reverse the effect of climate change, it will take all of us. Individuals and corporate, non for profits and governments. We need to change the system and help our economy transition to a regenerative circular model that respects our planetary boundaries and people. I want to be part of that change. I want to use my skills, experience and passion to convince and help organisations and government shift their approach to creating value, so it is more holistic and thoughtful. I have realized I can help and I am determined to do anything in my power to activate my agency and activate others to do the same in their own way

We need to act now, at scale and urgently. The window of opportunity is closing on us. We cannot have our childrens’ blood on our hands. If that seems to intangible, well think about people right now who are victim of our comfortable lifestyle. Bushfire survivors all around Australia who lost everything last summer. The climate crisis is not going to happen in the far future, it is happening NOW, really.

Join me, join us, we are millions around the world already actively working on this. If you don’t know where to start, well here are some actions you could take:

1. Move your banking and super to a sustainable institution like Bank Australia , Verve Super and Future Super
2. Insulate your home and make it energy efficient
3. Choose renewable energy for your home
4. Eat less meat and dairy and buy local (Box divvy - community enabled farm to household cooperative)
5. Write to your local MP and political representative and demand immediate action on climate change
6. Most of all, educate yourself, research, use your critical thinking, challenge, this is the start of everything, this is your power, your chance!

Because once you know, you cannot un-know..."