After the recent Provinical election here in BC, the new NDP governement asked people to share their priorities with them. Here's what our friend Judy Betts sent to them:
Climate change is the greatest threat humanity faces.
Because of this, you will be expected to lead using a global warming lens. The US Military coined the phrase," climate change is a threat multiplier". If you are not using a climate lens when you are making decisions about forestry, housing, fracked gas, medical system, etc, your impact will be short lived and ineffective, because a warming climate changes everything.
You will have to start using a longer lens into the future. Our children and grand children will pay the price for the excess carbon molecules we put into the atmosphere now, with dirty air, dirty water, food insecurity, unpredictable wildfires, conflict etc.
You will need to listen to what the science is telling us. Most Canadians are concerned about climate change but disagree about the solutions. You will have to be deeply aware of the issues and move forward with informed wisdom and confidence.
You will need to be a clear, concise communicator and lead with facts because there are forces out there building fear and mistrust in our government and you have signed on to serve these people too.
You will need to dig deep and find compassion for those who follow this path of ignorance rooted in fear and misinformation.
You will need to be collaborative. If someone has a good idea that could mitigate the impacts of a warming climate on the economy or the poor but is from another political party, put those differences aside and work for the common good.
You need to dream of a better future for the natural world, because we cannot exist without healthy ecosystems, it is as simple as that and as complicated as that.
You will need to lead this paradigm shift, this great turning.
You will miss your families, work too hard, lose hope and start again. I thank you for stepping up and taking on this grand challenge.
With gratitude, Judy Betts