Welcome to Gen Dread, a newsletter about how the climate crisis is making us feel, why that’s happening, and what we can do about it. Subscribe now to find community, comfort, and practical coping strategies from experts all around the world.
Let’s talk about those moments when you realize your choices are causing harm
We were all born into a furious storm of concerted, dishonest environmental messaging hurtling at us from hundreds of different directions: from “meat is a crucial part of everyone’s diet!!” to the term “natural gas” (?!) to the way air travel and car ownership are incessantly advertised to us as essential human rights. The environmental damage is downplayed and waved away. Destructive ways of living gradually become normalized. Capitalism ensures that our primary considerations are ones of expansion, acquisition, and profit. It does not like us to consider much else.
It’s no wonder, then, that a lot of us stumble into careers, lifestyles, or decisions that are harmful to the planet. Sometimes we don’t realize it. Other times, we do realize it but the infrastructure doesn’t let us make different choices. You can understand intellectually that factory farming is devastating to the environment, but if you live in Iqaluit where an eggplant is $72, you can’t reasonably steer yourself toward a plant-based diet.
Sometimes a really profound thing happens though. It might feel like it’s happening embarrassingly late in life, or that it’s embarrassingly obvious to everyone else, but it’s profound nonetheless: that moment when you realize you not only could do better – you want to do better. And when that moment collides with the lucky fact of having the resources to execute that desire, we cultivate the ability to imagine new ways of being. And when we can exercise that imagination as individuals, it perhaps becomes easier to engage in the crucial work of doing it as a collective. When we’re able to walk through the world with an openness and a willingness to learn, to hear new information, and then – rather than get defensive – really sit with the feelings our awareness causes, even when we dislike what it suggests about us, we bring our best selves to the climate justice movement.
Of course, we aren’t going to Individual Lifestyle Choice our way to climate revolution – the future demands massive, systemic change, interconnectedness, and equity. That said, action at the individual level is often where we feel capable and effective and see tangible results. And so, we can hold both things at once: we can do the difficult, gradual work of transforming politics and capitalism and dismantling white supremacy together…AND in the meantime, we can also find small, rewarding moments and everyday empowerment from choosing to live car-free, or growing our own food for the first time.
Design by Gen Dread
Alan Ross is a great example of someone who started down one path in life and was gradually able to make space for the difficult truth that his career was not in alignment with a healthy planet. His first job was as an economist for a pipeline company. This week, we want to use his story to ignite a discussion with you, our beloved Gen Dread community, about those moments when you realize your choices have been harmful – and then grapple with what to do about it. The question is not “what are all the reasons you should feel guilty?” but rather: “if you are experiencing some guilt or a general strain on your consciousness about your actions, job, or way of life, what constructive things can you do with that?
But first, we want to share some community announcements because there are lots of amazing projects launching that hone in on climate and mental health in the coming days. Keep reading to the bottom so you can read about Alan’s story and jump into this conversation. We want to hear you!
Making Waves
Image credit: Climate Cares
Climate change and mental health are two of the greatest global challenges we face. Their deep interconnections raise both compounding risks and the possibility of win-win opportunities to take action. This project will develop an inclusive and actionable research agenda for the emerging field of climate change and mental health. The global project team brings together experts across Imperial College London, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, the Climate Mental Health Network, SustyVibes, Force of Nature, St Luke’s Medical Center, the University of the West Indies and Claretian University. Join us to celebrate the launch of this year-long inclusive project of community-building to strengthen and align the climate change and mental health field on 18 April, 12pm - 1.30pm BST.
The Climate Anxiety and The Kid Question podcast with Jade Sasser takes a deep dive into exploring all of the emotions that come along with the climate crisis, from eco-anxiety, grief, and fear, to emotions like motivation, optimism, and excitement. This podcast just launched on this website and new episodes will be added bi-weekly. You can also access the podcast on Soundcloudand wherever you normally get your podcasts.
Image credit: Career Development Professional Centre
Troubled by the uncertain world ahead? Concerned for future generations because of the climate-crisis? Then this webinar is for you! This experiential webinar will allow participants to practice long-term visioning and reflection to cultivate hope despite uncertainty, and also learn about the benefits of seeing career decisions in the context of an intergenerational worldview and how this approach fosters hope for the future and empowers us in the present. Facilitated by Trevor Lehmann (MEd, CCC) President of the Climate-Informed Counsellors Chapter of CCPA and a Career Consultant with the University of Manitoba. Join this webinar on Saturday, April 22 2023, 2:00 - 3:30 PM ET.
“My first job was as an economist for a pipeline company”.
That’s Alan Ross. He explains: “My duties included predicting the prices of natural gas and oil and writing speeches for senior executives. Nobody talked much about climate change. Oil and gas development was seen as good for Canada. I then earned a law degree then took a job with a leading business law firm in Calgary. I gravitated to an income tax specialization. My job, essentially, was to help the firm’s clients, mostly engaged in the oil and gas business, pay the least amount of tax possible without breaking a complex system of laws.”
For Alan, the epiphany wasn’t sudden – it was like a distant sound in the background of his days that gradually grew more insistent.
“Over the course of my law career, climate change gradually became accepted science,” he explains. “The link between burning fossil fuels and climate change was somewhat slower to gain hold. This linkage was denied, then minimized, by most people in the industry.”
As we all tend to do when faced with this kind of uncomfortable moral dissonance, Alan looked for evidence that he was fine where he was. He resisted the hard work of incorporating this new information into his world.
“The realization that my career was not helpful in relation to the climate crisis came about gradually,” he shares. “For years, it was relatively easy to accept the ‘yeah, but’ argument. Yeah, the oil sands are bad but not as bad as all the new coal burning electricity plants in China and India.”
But then a change in his physical location led to a change in perspective.
Design by Gen Dread
“Those and similar arguments became less convincing when I moved away from Calgary. The business community in Calgary acts as somewhat of an echo chamber. These are competent and smart men and women. The issue faced by the individuals involved is that it is difficult to reconcile a rewarding career with an undesirable global outcome. For me, getting away from the echo chamber allowed me to open up to a broader worldview. With this broader concept I felt some shame for my past but mostly relieved that I could acknowledge and accept opinions and worldviews that I had previously resisted.”
The experience has added a new dimension to Alan’s thinking, but he also voices what the Gen Dread community feels so deeply – it’s really not easy to have your eyes open right now.
“In one way I feel better because I’m more aware, but I’m constantly concerned and, being of a pessimistic nature, feel quite negative about our collective prospects. But I’m now more mindful of the choices I make and my personal impact on the climate crisis and my personal carbon footprint.”
And now, over to you:
Have you ever had the realization that your actions or profession are not aligned with the health of the planet?
How did that struggle feel?
What did you do about it?
Are there any aspects of your life you know you’d like to change but aren’t ready to yet? What’s holding you back?
If you liked reading this, feel free to click the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏🏼
As always, you can share your thoughts and reach the Gen Dread community by commenting on this thread. You can also follow along on Twitter and Instagram.
Apr 13, 2023·edited Apr 13, 2023Liked by Gen Dread
As a youngish person living in Calgary, I really enjoyed reading a bit about Alan's story. For climate dread folks I find it an additional difficulty living somewhere like Calgary that is lagging far behind on climate action, the frustratingly unbudging status quo, the political climate etc. So it's always good to know one more person in Calgary that shares our concerns. I migrated here and love the city for many reasons. But the city's and the province's attitude and action on climate isn't one of them. I continuously debate relocating for this reason. So it's also interesting that relocating led to Alan's change in perspective. Though losing advocates for action on climate doesn't help the situation here either. A conundrum I've not reconciled with myself yet. Again, thanks Alan and the Gen Dread team for sharing his story.
Glad you found something interesting in Alan's story given your Calgarian experience. Seems like a uniquely challenging place for the climate concerned in Canada (my sister lives there but I don't know it well). I imagine some other spots give it a run for its money...
At 58, and having been a lacto/ovo vegetarian since I was 17, I'm finally willing to admit I can do better by eating vegan. I'm not there yet, and may never be completely, but have recently taken the big steps of no longer purchasing milk or cheese at the grocery store (still allowing myself to eat small amounts of cheese when dining out). It's about sacrifice ultimately - am I willing to give up the pleasure of milk in my coffee for the earth and especially animal welfare? I definitely don't enjoy my coffee as much (yes I have tried every vegan creamer - just gross!) but have reached a point where the other matters more.
Soooo – landscape architects (LA’s) are capital ‘E’s’ in ESG and were sustainable long before sustainability was cool… Buuuut – I work in development… And – we pour looots of concrete…
My eCo-AnXiEtY crisis moment happened at a continuing education conference: 1 ton of concrete produces 1 ton of CO2 (lifecycle & human-sourced) and a decent sized sugar maple planted for each ton will take 20 years to sequester (absorb) that ton of CO2… When you do the math there is not enough land on the planet to offset the CO2 from concrete alone…
DENIAL, ECO-ANXIETY, DESPONDENCE… Humans need housing, there is a housing crisis, a climate crisis, a biodiversity crisis… Much of my work involves environmental resource protection. And much of it is redevelopment = exponentially more sustainable than new development.
Even as a LA I lacked the vocabulary and climate mental health understanding to know what was happening to me. Enter ‘Don’t Look Up’, author Britt Wray, Generation Dread, and the Gen Dread Team and Community (a safe space for me).
What am I doing about it?
Near 50 meetings (and counting) across numerous professions and industries to discuss sustainability, biodiversity, and climate mental health… A new mission and focus on rewilding the acres and acres of existing corporate campus sites… A new mission in sustainable community redevelopment...
In the words of James Dyson, don’t tell the public you’re sustainable, do it – do the right thing.
Invest in resilience and the public will find you. Gen Z and Millennials (see recent Gen Dread article) increasingly know what they are looking for in employers, developments, and establishments and will put their talents and interests toward their future. A future we, in the words of conservationist John James Audubon, have borrowed from them.
But do they have those options in the market place?
This is really exciting work, Sidney! I would like to learn more to see how this can be done locally here too. We have so many corporate campus sites here.
Amazing Kani! I super-welcome discussions/meetings on sustainability across professions/industries within the Gen Dread Community. I’ve posted illustrated design/sustainability/biodiversity case studies on my LinkedIn page.
We were just greenlit to write our first Corporate Campus Sustainable Master Plan Proposal! The initial outline after multiple meetings on existing corporate culture initiatives follows (Haha - Hope I’m not boring the community here 😊 Happy to send this to you as a one-page word doc - reads better 😊).
Please share the program with anyone you think may run with it in your locale:
Landscape Architecture Site Program – Public Health, Safety and Welfare Proposal
Sustainability Phases – Net Gain Biodiversity/Watershed Healing/Climate Restoration:
1. Campus Wilding/Beautification
2. Green Roof Infrastructure
3. Stormwater Attenuation
4. Solar/Energy Initiatives
Campus Wilding/Beautification – Net Gain Biodiversity/Resilience:
1. Entry/Focal Plantings
2. Native Species Incorporation/Invasive Species Removal/Carbon Sequestration
3. 75% Reduction in Mowing (CO2)
4. 25% Increase in Groundwater Recharge
5. Blended/Braided Wildflower & Upland Meadows
6. Pollinator Gardens (In Conjunction with Green Roof Infrastructure)
7. Forest/Wild Area Access
8. Raingardens (In Conjunction with Stormwater Attenuation)
9. Site Amenities Including Outdoor Classroom and Gardening
10. Trellis Wall Vines on [Local] Street-Facing Facade
11. Public Education/Outreach Signage:
a. Wildflower & Upland Meadows
b. Pollinator Gardens
c. Forest/Wild Areas
d. Raingardens
Green Roof Infrastructure (In Conjunction with Beautification/Stormwater Attenuation/Pollinators):
1. Extensive Green Roof – Urban Heat Island Reduction/Stormwater Attenuation
2. Intensive Green Roof – Beautification/Carbon Sequestration
I like to think that I am living and doing what I have set out to do. Working in career development, it bothered me that we never talk about organized labour. There is always a focus on how the individual can better improve their circumstances rather than how they can alter the work environment and the terms of their employment to better meet their needs. It parallels the Carbon Footprint calculator promoted by Oil companies looking to put the onus back on the individual and deflect blame from themselves.
I find it is easy to get buy-in on changes that are win-win, whereby those in power and those without both stand to benefit. When we start proposing solution in situations where some will need to give up power in order for others to benefit, I have found this a lot more challenging. While I work in a unionized environment as a career counsellor and many of my colleagues across professions are supportive, I am always surprised by how visceral a reaction discussing organized labour triggers in people as opposed to seeing simply a tool (among many others) for building a more equitable world.
Likewise, while I express concern over BP's Carbon Footprint calculator (even on my most wasteful day I never blew up an oil line in the ocean), I have softened my view after friends shared that reducing their own carbon footprints serves as a source of agency and self-care that helps them continue to remain resilient amidst the climate-crisis.
so much this! thank you for this perspective on win-wins for most effectiveness Trevor (and also puzzlement about the recoil at thought of organized labour)
and also big lol to '(even on my most wasteful day I never blew up an oil line in the ocean)'
I became a vegetarian in 1986 after reading Diet for a Small Planet. I worked on the Prince William Sound Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 as a volunteer, and that catalyzed a career in wildlife conservation. Decades later, I determined that that career choice had led to a lot of carbon emissions during research and travel to conferences, but that it had not effected much actual change- if any at all. That felt pretty rotten. I resolved to change my focus to local work. That severely curtailed my career, but at least I was doing a lot less harm. We had the privilege of being able to move onto a small piece of land, build a net-zero energy house, and grow a lot of our own food 15 years ago. I have stopped all flying except to see family, primarily my mother. I fly across the continent and back twice a year to see her (she's 85 now and in poor health). My attempt at making this less awful is spending at least a month and working remotely when I visit. No other transportation option is feasible for me right now. I struggle with that choice although it means I also see a dozen other close relatives each trip as well, and it obviously means a lot to my mom. When I am home, I work to restore our land, planting trees and removing invasive species, and keep my carbon footprint as small as possible- I use a bicycle for most transportation, rarely travel anywhere, and we still grow a very large proportion of our fruits and veggies. I have stopped beating myself up for every climate sin- I own a carnivorous dog, raise a few sheep (I use the wool for spinning and knitting, and they provide the only meat we eat), I've cut down but not eliminated dairy. There is no getting around the enormous climate impact my life has had. However, I have come to focus more on how we can address environmental injustice and recognize the privilege of making lifestyle changes (although those of us who are able must make them). I believe we must stop focusing on guilting each other and instead focus on building the community we will need to become in order to survive.
As a youngish person living in Calgary, I really enjoyed reading a bit about Alan's story. For climate dread folks I find it an additional difficulty living somewhere like Calgary that is lagging far behind on climate action, the frustratingly unbudging status quo, the political climate etc. So it's always good to know one more person in Calgary that shares our concerns. I migrated here and love the city for many reasons. But the city's and the province's attitude and action on climate isn't one of them. I continuously debate relocating for this reason. So it's also interesting that relocating led to Alan's change in perspective. Though losing advocates for action on climate doesn't help the situation here either. A conundrum I've not reconciled with myself yet. Again, thanks Alan and the Gen Dread team for sharing his story.
Glad you found something interesting in Alan's story given your Calgarian experience. Seems like a uniquely challenging place for the climate concerned in Canada (my sister lives there but I don't know it well). I imagine some other spots give it a run for its money...
At 58, and having been a lacto/ovo vegetarian since I was 17, I'm finally willing to admit I can do better by eating vegan. I'm not there yet, and may never be completely, but have recently taken the big steps of no longer purchasing milk or cheese at the grocery store (still allowing myself to eat small amounts of cheese when dining out). It's about sacrifice ultimately - am I willing to give up the pleasure of milk in my coffee for the earth and especially animal welfare? I definitely don't enjoy my coffee as much (yes I have tried every vegan creamer - just gross!) but have reached a point where the other matters more.
You are clearly very caring and committed, and I totally agree about the the state of vegan creamers!
Soooo – landscape architects (LA’s) are capital ‘E’s’ in ESG and were sustainable long before sustainability was cool… Buuuut – I work in development… And – we pour looots of concrete…
My eCo-AnXiEtY crisis moment happened at a continuing education conference: 1 ton of concrete produces 1 ton of CO2 (lifecycle & human-sourced) and a decent sized sugar maple planted for each ton will take 20 years to sequester (absorb) that ton of CO2… When you do the math there is not enough land on the planet to offset the CO2 from concrete alone…
DENIAL, ECO-ANXIETY, DESPONDENCE… Humans need housing, there is a housing crisis, a climate crisis, a biodiversity crisis… Much of my work involves environmental resource protection. And much of it is redevelopment = exponentially more sustainable than new development.
Even as a LA I lacked the vocabulary and climate mental health understanding to know what was happening to me. Enter ‘Don’t Look Up’, author Britt Wray, Generation Dread, and the Gen Dread Team and Community (a safe space for me).
What am I doing about it?
Near 50 meetings (and counting) across numerous professions and industries to discuss sustainability, biodiversity, and climate mental health… A new mission and focus on rewilding the acres and acres of existing corporate campus sites… A new mission in sustainable community redevelopment...
In the words of James Dyson, don’t tell the public you’re sustainable, do it – do the right thing.
Invest in resilience and the public will find you. Gen Z and Millennials (see recent Gen Dread article) increasingly know what they are looking for in employers, developments, and establishments and will put their talents and interests toward their future. A future we, in the words of conservationist John James Audubon, have borrowed from them.
But do they have those options in the market place?
That is my mission…
Kind Regards,
Sidney (Ramsey) Walker PLA ASLA
I'm so thrilled that this community and our work has made a difference for you Sidney!
This is really exciting work, Sidney! I would like to learn more to see how this can be done locally here too. We have so many corporate campus sites here.
Amazing Kani! I super-welcome discussions/meetings on sustainability across professions/industries within the Gen Dread Community. I’ve posted illustrated design/sustainability/biodiversity case studies on my LinkedIn page.
We were just greenlit to write our first Corporate Campus Sustainable Master Plan Proposal! The initial outline after multiple meetings on existing corporate culture initiatives follows (Haha - Hope I’m not boring the community here 😊 Happy to send this to you as a one-page word doc - reads better 😊).
Please share the program with anyone you think may run with it in your locale:
Landscape Architecture Site Program – Public Health, Safety and Welfare Proposal
Sustainability Phases – Net Gain Biodiversity/Watershed Healing/Climate Restoration:
1. Campus Wilding/Beautification
2. Green Roof Infrastructure
3. Stormwater Attenuation
4. Solar/Energy Initiatives
Campus Wilding/Beautification – Net Gain Biodiversity/Resilience:
1. Entry/Focal Plantings
2. Native Species Incorporation/Invasive Species Removal/Carbon Sequestration
3. 75% Reduction in Mowing (CO2)
4. 25% Increase in Groundwater Recharge
5. Blended/Braided Wildflower & Upland Meadows
6. Pollinator Gardens (In Conjunction with Green Roof Infrastructure)
7. Forest/Wild Area Access
8. Raingardens (In Conjunction with Stormwater Attenuation)
9. Site Amenities Including Outdoor Classroom and Gardening
10. Trellis Wall Vines on [Local] Street-Facing Facade
11. Public Education/Outreach Signage:
a. Wildflower & Upland Meadows
b. Pollinator Gardens
c. Forest/Wild Areas
d. Raingardens
Green Roof Infrastructure (In Conjunction with Beautification/Stormwater Attenuation/Pollinators):
1. Extensive Green Roof – Urban Heat Island Reduction/Stormwater Attenuation
2. Intensive Green Roof – Beautification/Carbon Sequestration
Stormwater Attenuation – Watershed Healing:
1. Research Existing Basins/Subterranean
2. Raingardens
3. Rainwater Reuse/Conservation of Resources
Solar/Energy Initiatives – Climate Healing:
1. Solar Panels – Rooftop/Parking Garage
2. EV Charging Expansion
3. E-Bike Fleet On-Site for Employee Use
I like to think that I am living and doing what I have set out to do. Working in career development, it bothered me that we never talk about organized labour. There is always a focus on how the individual can better improve their circumstances rather than how they can alter the work environment and the terms of their employment to better meet their needs. It parallels the Carbon Footprint calculator promoted by Oil companies looking to put the onus back on the individual and deflect blame from themselves.
I find it is easy to get buy-in on changes that are win-win, whereby those in power and those without both stand to benefit. When we start proposing solution in situations where some will need to give up power in order for others to benefit, I have found this a lot more challenging. While I work in a unionized environment as a career counsellor and many of my colleagues across professions are supportive, I am always surprised by how visceral a reaction discussing organized labour triggers in people as opposed to seeing simply a tool (among many others) for building a more equitable world.
Likewise, while I express concern over BP's Carbon Footprint calculator (even on my most wasteful day I never blew up an oil line in the ocean), I have softened my view after friends shared that reducing their own carbon footprints serves as a source of agency and self-care that helps them continue to remain resilient amidst the climate-crisis.
so much this! thank you for this perspective on win-wins for most effectiveness Trevor (and also puzzlement about the recoil at thought of organized labour)
and also big lol to '(even on my most wasteful day I never blew up an oil line in the ocean)'
I became a vegetarian in 1986 after reading Diet for a Small Planet. I worked on the Prince William Sound Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 as a volunteer, and that catalyzed a career in wildlife conservation. Decades later, I determined that that career choice had led to a lot of carbon emissions during research and travel to conferences, but that it had not effected much actual change- if any at all. That felt pretty rotten. I resolved to change my focus to local work. That severely curtailed my career, but at least I was doing a lot less harm. We had the privilege of being able to move onto a small piece of land, build a net-zero energy house, and grow a lot of our own food 15 years ago. I have stopped all flying except to see family, primarily my mother. I fly across the continent and back twice a year to see her (she's 85 now and in poor health). My attempt at making this less awful is spending at least a month and working remotely when I visit. No other transportation option is feasible for me right now. I struggle with that choice although it means I also see a dozen other close relatives each trip as well, and it obviously means a lot to my mom. When I am home, I work to restore our land, planting trees and removing invasive species, and keep my carbon footprint as small as possible- I use a bicycle for most transportation, rarely travel anywhere, and we still grow a very large proportion of our fruits and veggies. I have stopped beating myself up for every climate sin- I own a carnivorous dog, raise a few sheep (I use the wool for spinning and knitting, and they provide the only meat we eat), I've cut down but not eliminated dairy. There is no getting around the enormous climate impact my life has had. However, I have come to focus more on how we can address environmental injustice and recognize the privilege of making lifestyle changes (although those of us who are able must make them). I believe we must stop focusing on guilting each other and instead focus on building the community we will need to become in order to survive.