Jun 29, 2023·edited Jun 29, 2023Liked by Isabelle Drury
Great article, Isabelle, thank you.
I'm a 56yo solo dad to a daughter who will turn 21 in 2035. Her 21st birthday is what gets me out of bed every morning, doing some of the most challenging work possible: imagining new futures for her and people like you. My hope is that "the younger generation" will pick up on ideas that adults currently pooh-pooh.
So, in response to your observation that "...there’s no real guidance on what to do next. How can one even begin to piece together a solution in a system that’s so broken?" may I share a concept called Bioregional Sovereignty?
It's going to take hard work, and it's waaaay beyond the scope of any "rational" adult to get their head around, but my hope is that someone like you sees it and runs with it in their local area. And then they show the world that it works, and then more bioregions follow suit, and then we've solved the challenge. (BTW, no one can "save the world" or "stop climate change" but we can learn to live more resiliently. That will take guts and determination, and a plan. That's what I'm sharing, to see if anyone is ready to take it up.)
Thanks again for a great article, which I'm saving for when my daughter is a little older.
Wow! I'm 51 and absolutely terrified of the state of our planet. I've been guilty of thinking the younger generations will care enough to come up with solutions. My own kids (in their 20s) are very hesitant about having kids which I understand but it also makes me sad. Thank you for educating me today about the pressure we Gen X people are putting on our children. I need to adjust my thinking and start helping. Thank you!
This happens to every generation it seems, except this time is is about the climate crisis. As an older person, I learned early to not hand it down, rather to say Wow! how can I help? what would you like me to do?
I have experience in, or trained or educated in....
Do you think ,(what I know how to do), will help?
Today, everything requires a team, a group, and such a global problem requires many people contributing however they can, and as coordinated as best possible.
Old concept. Listen first, then speak. (That is to listen deeply, ask questions, make sure you understand, now you can speak) Great concept!
Once upon a time we had the wisdom and guidance from seniors and in between. Once upon a time we had apprenticeships. Now I only hear from those that have or are near retirement say. "We have the youth taking over, They are amazing!"
I'm sorry where are the advisors? the seniors in experience? The teaching and guiding we so need?
I so agree. And this we need to change. Right now, I am not sure that the youth do not even know how to ask for our help. Decades of thinking be an activist is for just the young people and we walk away and just enjoy the massive entertainment-tech-industrial-government complex.
Thanks, Isabelle, for sharing your experience as part of a generation who feels saddled with solving the climate crisis. It makes me cringe because it's not fair. I think that people who have this expectation of youth are not ready to examine how their own lives need to change: how they need to reduce their own over-consumption, learn and talk to others about the climate crisis, get more politically engaged for systems change, etc. But we all need to take up this work. At 55 I'm doing my part. At a demonstration yesterday for the "Canada is Burning" Day of Action I saw Seniors for Climate Action Now! and older peace/disarmament activists among others demanding our federal government treat the crisis like an emergency. I've learned about an organization in the US called https://thirdact.org/ that is organizing people 60+ There need to be more of us taking up our own responsibilities.
I think you're right, Anna! What you're doing sounds amazing, I'm going to research to see if anyone is doming something similar over here in the UK! <3
GenXer myself, I grew up with the Limits of Growth and the collapse of civilization. In 1972, this collapse was predicted to around 2040-2-50. With latest data, this timing of collapse is still in the same ballpark - errors cancel each other out.
I grew up with the pressure of "My generaton will lead the change and stop the planetary crisis". Only that my generation never had the power to actually do it. The powers to be were older, and they only elevated young fellows who did not question the dominant narrative. I can see, today, that GenX is represented only in a filtered manner... the progressves are mostly not in position of power.
Now, we are repeating this call that next generations should save us.
We are running out of time. Most adults are stuck in a (earth-destroying) workplace and leave "saving the planet" to powerless youth and retirees. Retirees are mostly interested in setting their personal role in history, convincing their offsprings that they as individuals are part of the solution and not of the problem, and overcoming their feeling of guilt (some actually do stuff that is non self-serving).
What youth can do is ONE THING ONLY: Remind us adults of their responsibility as decision makers, as people in power. Youth cannot fx the world - they can only shame adults. They can actually do this quite effectively. But NEVER let adults convince you that it's your responsibility to take action. Responsibility MUST come with the resources necessary to live up to that responsibility - otherwise it's a farce, a diffusion of attention, washing hands in innocense.
This is so interesting to hear, I didn't quite realise it's been something thats being said for multiple generations. People are definitely burying their head in the sandy because it's EASY, doing the work is hard. Surely we all have someone, a younger person, who we love and are concerned about their future?
Jun 29, 2023·edited Jun 29, 2023Liked by Isabelle Drury
Very insightful Isabelle.
Not to pile on, but we just don't have the time left to let a whole generation of new people learn the lessons and gain the experience to solve this problem.
As Dr. David Suzuki said about 40 years ago we are in a car that is speeding towards the abyss; somebody has to do some thing now that will change the course. We are that much closer to careening over the edge now.
Younger people can supply the energy and unfortunately, the bodies, to make the plan work but the smartest, the wisest and the most experienced need to step up and design it. And put in place the wherewithal to implement such a plan. It's ALL hands on deck.
Don't know that this moves anything forward, Isabelle but I wanted to say that a lot of folks, many of them ol' farts like myself, recognize that the next-gen cannot do this alone. We must, and are willing to shoulder this burden together.
Yes exactly! We don't have the time to make mistakes again, we need the guidance. Thank you for your comment, lovely to hear that there are people committed to teaching us. :)
this is a super refreshing take!! That suffocating feeling of “saving the world” is realer than people think. I just wrote a piece on it from my own experience as a Gen-Z climate professional. great work!! 💪 🌍
Isabelle Drury, you've beautifully articulated the sentiments many of us share but often struggle to express. As a 'Zillennial,' you encapsulate the burden that comes with being dubbed the last generation that can halt the climate crisis. It's disheartening to feel like the weight of the world's mistakes rests on your shoulders. Your plea for guidance and mentorship from elders resonates deeply. The call for sharing lessons, failures, and successes is a beacon of hope in a sea of climate uncertainty. We, the generations preceding you, owe you more than just accolades for your awareness; we owe you our experiences, our stories, and a roadmap to navigate the challenges we've failed to address. Thank you, Isabelle, for articulating the unspoken emotions and urging us to be the guiding lights you need.
I'm 75. I hope that more and more people of every age will do what they are capable of to curb emissions, to fight back against fossil fuels and their financial backers. and support helpful actions. We aren't all going to be leaders so we just have to do what we can.
Jun 29, 2023·edited Jun 29, 2023Liked by Isabelle Drury
This is a wonderful piece, thank you. I'm an elder, concerned about climate change for a long time, but relating to your generation's experiences and feelings only from a distance. For me you article was, and will be for others, illuminating in vital ways.
Hi Isabelle. Apologies for not checking this conversation and your replay sooner.
I want to say "Isabelle! I do not want someone to just say "I like this concept" I want to know HOW I may become fully engaged.
I have listened for so many years. Everyone group, from this subject, to greater equality, to the various black movements, now Black Lives Matter, to Asian-American Movements, to Latino, Chicano, to Mazeka, (a term a friend corrected me into how it applies to me, I have heard the term, many times, but do not know the spelling)to AIM.
I need to find a way to fully fight!
So, I say enough of compassion!, Enough of great ideas!
We need greater ,I need, more effective action. I need this, Not only do I have the skills...that I cannot figure out how to apply. Once I can do something that engages, excites , and gives real hope. I can get 100's of people to take action!
Quality friendships to join. Right now.
These days they only hear my frustration and anger and distance themselves from me. That is the few I now talk to, those I remain in contact with.
Because I know so many of my close friends. I hide from. I am ashamed of my predicament. Yet, I early on built and grew organizations with great success, recruiting others to do and participate in activities they would never even consider doing.
There are still those on FaceBook that still look up to me, and are yearning to learn what activities I am engaged in. How do I say. May life has only crashed, It sucks, and I just do not know what I can do about it.
I know, I know, "My life sucks, the world sucks" is essentially "I'm not OK, You're not OK" is a known physiological state
What's more they felt great for taking action in what I pushed them into!
Please do not "Like my comment." Please PM me on where I can go, who can I join, where I can work my way up to the decision making group and suggest ideas, new actions to try out. Get the leaders to expand on new, better actions we all can take.
I am just amazed at what Greta Thurnberg is doing! I am delighted with it! However, she is young, she has a great story! she is part of a very different social group that has energized an entire generation! She has changed the language! !
However, she is already get boxed in. Power has figured out how to manage and control her....
Apologize for being so long. I just do not know how to be brief.
Anyone want to help me write a book similar to Naomi Wolf's "Give Me Liberty" A handbook for young Americans? Maybe, "Make the World Sustainable" a handbook on creating a green, sustainable planet, and what you can do to make that change.
OR some similar title. A handbook for many ways people can take action. many ways to have fun and enjoy becoming forcefully engaged to save this planet....
Do we (Gen Dreadheads) search for signs of sustainability in the places we choose to live/work/frequent (e.g., *LEED + SITES certifications for buildings and grounds, Audubon Cooperative ACSP, the fact that high-density transit-oriented redevelopment is exponentially more sustainable than low-density new development)?
Maybe there should be an app for that: ‘The LEED Building Locator’? 😊
*LEED + SITES are rigorous sustainability certifications, however, they’re expensive and ideally should be subsidized/rewarded by municipalities.
Here's some advice from an elder who's looked into the science behind climate change and thinks it's a tragedy folks like Greta Thunberg have been driven to such discomfort over a crisis that's not near as dire as is being portrayed by media seeking clicks and "experts" who get more attention (and money) when they conform to the popular narrative. Check out this analysis- https://normanjansen.substack.com/p/climate-catastrophe
"For our entire lives, we’ve been hearing about climate change, its disastrous effects, and the consistent refusal of politicians to do anything about it, and now it’s our responsibility to fix it."
As long as Americans, your elders, keep voting into office, democrats and republicans beholden to Wall Street and the Military-industrial-complex, which is all of Washington D.C., nothing will change.
"...as long as with each step we take we slowly weave a new world, then that might just be enough.
No it won't be enough. Stop living in a dream-world of your own making, and look around at what's actually going on. If there was time, you could get educated about it and do something about what you learn. But there isn't time. Anything short of a serious revolution of ideas and practices, forced down the throats of Congress and the White House, no matter which party is running us over the cliff, won't cut it. Lacking that, say good bye to your lovely planet and your privileged asses. Karma is coming for us all.
"For our entire lives, we’ve been hearing about climate change, its disastrous effects, and the consistent refusal of politicians to do anything about it, and now it’s our responsibility to fix it."
As long as Americans keep voting into office, democrats and republicans beholden to Wall Street and the Military-industrial-complex, which is all of Washington D.C., nothing will change.
"...as long as with each step we take we slowly weave a new world, then that might just be enough.
No it won't be enough. Stop living in a dream-world of your own making, and look around at what's actually going on. If there was time, you could get educated about it and do something about what you learn. But there isn't time. Anything short of a serious revolution of ideas and practices, forced down the throats of Congress and the White House, no matter which party is running us over the cliff, won't cut it. Lacking that, say good bye to your lovely planet and your privileged asses. Karma is coming for us all.
Eee thank you for sharing! Really enjoyed writing this piece. <3
Great article, Isabelle, thank you.
I'm a 56yo solo dad to a daughter who will turn 21 in 2035. Her 21st birthday is what gets me out of bed every morning, doing some of the most challenging work possible: imagining new futures for her and people like you. My hope is that "the younger generation" will pick up on ideas that adults currently pooh-pooh.
So, in response to your observation that "...there’s no real guidance on what to do next. How can one even begin to piece together a solution in a system that’s so broken?" may I share a concept called Bioregional Sovereignty?
It's going to take hard work, and it's waaaay beyond the scope of any "rational" adult to get their head around, but my hope is that someone like you sees it and runs with it in their local area. And then they show the world that it works, and then more bioregions follow suit, and then we've solved the challenge. (BTW, no one can "save the world" or "stop climate change" but we can learn to live more resiliently. That will take guts and determination, and a plan. That's what I'm sharing, to see if anyone is ready to take it up.)
Thanks again for a great article, which I'm saving for when my daughter is a little older.
Here's my take: https://coda.io/d/_dnLEPMTFtko/SoG-Intro_sujrg
Thanks so much, Michael, this means a lot. What an interesting topic, I'll have a dive into it!!!
Wow! I'm 51 and absolutely terrified of the state of our planet. I've been guilty of thinking the younger generations will care enough to come up with solutions. My own kids (in their 20s) are very hesitant about having kids which I understand but it also makes me sad. Thank you for educating me today about the pressure we Gen X people are putting on our children. I need to adjust my thinking and start helping. Thank you!
Really glad you enjoyed, Elocin. :)
This happens to every generation it seems, except this time is is about the climate crisis. As an older person, I learned early to not hand it down, rather to say Wow! how can I help? what would you like me to do?
I have experience in, or trained or educated in....
Do you think ,(what I know how to do), will help?
Today, everything requires a team, a group, and such a global problem requires many people contributing however they can, and as coordinated as best possible.
Old concept. Listen first, then speak. (That is to listen deeply, ask questions, make sure you understand, now you can speak) Great concept!
Thank you Isabelle!
Love this concept!! Thanks for sharing. :)
They literally say this about every generation they need to butter up and do their bidding.
It's kinda like how a cult will love-bomb you... they tell you that you're oh so smart.. and smart people say ___________ .
Yes, you are so correct.
We keep depending on the youth. This is wrong.
Once upon a time we had the wisdom and guidance from seniors and in between. Once upon a time we had apprenticeships. Now I only hear from those that have or are near retirement say. "We have the youth taking over, They are amazing!"
I'm sorry where are the advisors? the seniors in experience? The teaching and guiding we so need?
I so agree. And this we need to change. Right now, I am not sure that the youth do not even know how to ask for our help. Decades of thinking be an activist is for just the young people and we walk away and just enjoy the massive entertainment-tech-industrial-government complex.
Nuk, Please keep engaging, and share more.
Thanks, Isabelle, for sharing your experience as part of a generation who feels saddled with solving the climate crisis. It makes me cringe because it's not fair. I think that people who have this expectation of youth are not ready to examine how their own lives need to change: how they need to reduce their own over-consumption, learn and talk to others about the climate crisis, get more politically engaged for systems change, etc. But we all need to take up this work. At 55 I'm doing my part. At a demonstration yesterday for the "Canada is Burning" Day of Action I saw Seniors for Climate Action Now! and older peace/disarmament activists among others demanding our federal government treat the crisis like an emergency. I've learned about an organization in the US called https://thirdact.org/ that is organizing people 60+ There need to be more of us taking up our own responsibilities.
I think you're right, Anna! What you're doing sounds amazing, I'm going to research to see if anyone is doming something similar over here in the UK! <3
Thank you!
GenXer myself, I grew up with the Limits of Growth and the collapse of civilization. In 1972, this collapse was predicted to around 2040-2-50. With latest data, this timing of collapse is still in the same ballpark - errors cancel each other out.
I grew up with the pressure of "My generaton will lead the change and stop the planetary crisis". Only that my generation never had the power to actually do it. The powers to be were older, and they only elevated young fellows who did not question the dominant narrative. I can see, today, that GenX is represented only in a filtered manner... the progressves are mostly not in position of power.
Now, we are repeating this call that next generations should save us.
We are running out of time. Most adults are stuck in a (earth-destroying) workplace and leave "saving the planet" to powerless youth and retirees. Retirees are mostly interested in setting their personal role in history, convincing their offsprings that they as individuals are part of the solution and not of the problem, and overcoming their feeling of guilt (some actually do stuff that is non self-serving).
What youth can do is ONE THING ONLY: Remind us adults of their responsibility as decision makers, as people in power. Youth cannot fx the world - they can only shame adults. They can actually do this quite effectively. But NEVER let adults convince you that it's your responsibility to take action. Responsibility MUST come with the resources necessary to live up to that responsibility - otherwise it's a farce, a diffusion of attention, washing hands in innocense.
This is so interesting to hear, I didn't quite realise it's been something thats being said for multiple generations. People are definitely burying their head in the sandy because it's EASY, doing the work is hard. Surely we all have someone, a younger person, who we love and are concerned about their future?
Very insightful Isabelle.
Not to pile on, but we just don't have the time left to let a whole generation of new people learn the lessons and gain the experience to solve this problem.
As Dr. David Suzuki said about 40 years ago we are in a car that is speeding towards the abyss; somebody has to do some thing now that will change the course. We are that much closer to careening over the edge now.
Younger people can supply the energy and unfortunately, the bodies, to make the plan work but the smartest, the wisest and the most experienced need to step up and design it. And put in place the wherewithal to implement such a plan. It's ALL hands on deck.
Don't know that this moves anything forward, Isabelle but I wanted to say that a lot of folks, many of them ol' farts like myself, recognize that the next-gen cannot do this alone. We must, and are willing to shoulder this burden together.
Yes exactly! We don't have the time to make mistakes again, we need the guidance. Thank you for your comment, lovely to hear that there are people committed to teaching us. :)
this is a super refreshing take!! That suffocating feeling of “saving the world” is realer than people think. I just wrote a piece on it from my own experience as a Gen-Z climate professional. great work!! 💪 🌍
Thank you! Would love to read it :)
please do!! I’m betting some of my feelings may resonate with you since you work in climate world too :)
https://open.substack.com/pub/thedoomerdispatch/p/why-climate-change-work-can-be-suffocating?r=36g0g&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Isabelle Drury, you've beautifully articulated the sentiments many of us share but often struggle to express. As a 'Zillennial,' you encapsulate the burden that comes with being dubbed the last generation that can halt the climate crisis. It's disheartening to feel like the weight of the world's mistakes rests on your shoulders. Your plea for guidance and mentorship from elders resonates deeply. The call for sharing lessons, failures, and successes is a beacon of hope in a sea of climate uncertainty. We, the generations preceding you, owe you more than just accolades for your awareness; we owe you our experiences, our stories, and a roadmap to navigate the challenges we've failed to address. Thank you, Isabelle, for articulating the unspoken emotions and urging us to be the guiding lights you need.
https://www.techtopia5.com/
I'm 75. I hope that more and more people of every age will do what they are capable of to curb emissions, to fight back against fossil fuels and their financial backers. and support helpful actions. We aren't all going to be leaders so we just have to do what we can.
This is a wonderful piece, thank you. I'm an elder, concerned about climate change for a long time, but relating to your generation's experiences and feelings only from a distance. For me you article was, and will be for others, illuminating in vital ways.
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/stressing-about-work-or-planet-dont-forget-sustain-yourself
I hope the link I supplied in previous post is helpful to some people, somehow...
Thank you so much! I will definitely have a read. :)
Hi Isabelle. Apologies for not checking this conversation and your replay sooner.
I want to say "Isabelle! I do not want someone to just say "I like this concept" I want to know HOW I may become fully engaged.
I have listened for so many years. Everyone group, from this subject, to greater equality, to the various black movements, now Black Lives Matter, to Asian-American Movements, to Latino, Chicano, to Mazeka, (a term a friend corrected me into how it applies to me, I have heard the term, many times, but do not know the spelling)to AIM.
I need to find a way to fully fight!
So, I say enough of compassion!, Enough of great ideas!
We need greater ,I need, more effective action. I need this, Not only do I have the skills...that I cannot figure out how to apply. Once I can do something that engages, excites , and gives real hope. I can get 100's of people to take action!
Quality friendships to join. Right now.
These days they only hear my frustration and anger and distance themselves from me. That is the few I now talk to, those I remain in contact with.
Because I know so many of my close friends. I hide from. I am ashamed of my predicament. Yet, I early on built and grew organizations with great success, recruiting others to do and participate in activities they would never even consider doing.
There are still those on FaceBook that still look up to me, and are yearning to learn what activities I am engaged in. How do I say. May life has only crashed, It sucks, and I just do not know what I can do about it.
I know, I know, "My life sucks, the world sucks" is essentially "I'm not OK, You're not OK" is a known physiological state
What's more they felt great for taking action in what I pushed them into!
Please do not "Like my comment." Please PM me on where I can go, who can I join, where I can work my way up to the decision making group and suggest ideas, new actions to try out. Get the leaders to expand on new, better actions we all can take.
I am just amazed at what Greta Thurnberg is doing! I am delighted with it! However, she is young, she has a great story! she is part of a very different social group that has energized an entire generation! She has changed the language! !
However, she is already get boxed in. Power has figured out how to manage and control her....
Apologize for being so long. I just do not know how to be brief.
Anyone want to help me write a book similar to Naomi Wolf's "Give Me Liberty" A handbook for young Americans? Maybe, "Make the World Sustainable" a handbook on creating a green, sustainable planet, and what you can do to make that change.
OR some similar title. A handbook for many ways people can take action. many ways to have fun and enjoy becoming forcefully engaged to save this planet....
Thank you for writing and being BOLD Isabelle!
Do we (Gen Dreadheads) search for signs of sustainability in the places we choose to live/work/frequent (e.g., *LEED + SITES certifications for buildings and grounds, Audubon Cooperative ACSP, the fact that high-density transit-oriented redevelopment is exponentially more sustainable than low-density new development)?
Maybe there should be an app for that: ‘The LEED Building Locator’? 😊
*LEED + SITES are rigorous sustainability certifications, however, they’re expensive and ideally should be subsidized/rewarded by municipalities.
Here's some advice from an elder who's looked into the science behind climate change and thinks it's a tragedy folks like Greta Thunberg have been driven to such discomfort over a crisis that's not near as dire as is being portrayed by media seeking clicks and "experts" who get more attention (and money) when they conform to the popular narrative. Check out this analysis- https://normanjansen.substack.com/p/climate-catastrophe
"For our entire lives, we’ve been hearing about climate change, its disastrous effects, and the consistent refusal of politicians to do anything about it, and now it’s our responsibility to fix it."
As long as Americans, your elders, keep voting into office, democrats and republicans beholden to Wall Street and the Military-industrial-complex, which is all of Washington D.C., nothing will change.
"...as long as with each step we take we slowly weave a new world, then that might just be enough.
No it won't be enough. Stop living in a dream-world of your own making, and look around at what's actually going on. If there was time, you could get educated about it and do something about what you learn. But there isn't time. Anything short of a serious revolution of ideas and practices, forced down the throats of Congress and the White House, no matter which party is running us over the cliff, won't cut it. Lacking that, say good bye to your lovely planet and your privileged asses. Karma is coming for us all.
"For our entire lives, we’ve been hearing about climate change, its disastrous effects, and the consistent refusal of politicians to do anything about it, and now it’s our responsibility to fix it."
As long as Americans keep voting into office, democrats and republicans beholden to Wall Street and the Military-industrial-complex, which is all of Washington D.C., nothing will change.
"...as long as with each step we take we slowly weave a new world, then that might just be enough.
No it won't be enough. Stop living in a dream-world of your own making, and look around at what's actually going on. If there was time, you could get educated about it and do something about what you learn. But there isn't time. Anything short of a serious revolution of ideas and practices, forced down the throats of Congress and the White House, no matter which party is running us over the cliff, won't cut it. Lacking that, say good bye to your lovely planet and your privileged asses. Karma is coming for us all.