Today, I’m happy to release the Carbon Creed affirmations (part 1). If you read this newsletter regularly, you have an idea of how my lens works. These affirmations are a starting point in my journey to help others frame their carbon and climate values:
I believe all humans desire clean air, clean water and good health. This is a universal truth that transcends race, gender, nationality and politics.
I believe rising carbon emissions present an existential threat to human health, the economy and the planet.
I believe all people must adopt values that advance decarbonization and mitigate climate change.
I believe humans have the ability to adapt and can solve the effects of climate change through innovation and data.
I believe members of each generation have a shared obligation to be sustainable stewards of the Earth’s finite resources.
I believe it is more important to listen to other views and seek common ground than to impose my own opinions about climate change.
Which affirmation(s) stand out to you? Why?
Feel free to share your thoughts with the community.
Dad I love those affirmations you wrote!! My favorite is #6...some enviro kids I know need help with this one big time...they jump down people’s throats with facts and stats on why others aren’t doing enough to help rather than viewing from that persons perspective and listening
The first affirmation is so human it feeds a part of my soul. In fact, I would go as far as to say "deserve" rather than "desire". The others are essential to our continued existence; the immediacy of the first begs the urgency of the rest.
Thanks Mary for your heartfelt comments. I really like your rationale for using "deserve" instead of "desire" in the first affirmation. Makes it stronger!
Thanks for posting, Walter. I really appreciate these affirmations. What sticks out to me is the way equity and justice permeate the ideas here. Your declaration that the desire for a healthy, life-sustaining environment is a universal truth establishes a baseline for a equitable approach to the climate crisis. This then sets the stage for a conversation about developing positive values about decarbonization and mitigation as necessary strategies to enable disenfranchised communities to participate in and benefit from a healthier environment.
I appreciate your comments Kevin. Yes, the affirmations are written in a way that they can be shaped to fit an individual or group priorities. Equity and justice are vitally important as we tackle carbon and climate issues. Thanks for highlighting this for our readers.
Dad I love those affirmations you wrote!! My favorite is #6...some enviro kids I know need help with this one big time...they jump down people’s throats with facts and stats on why others aren’t doing enough to help rather than viewing from that persons perspective and listening
Nice to know that one of my own has a voice in this. Thanks for your clear and honest thoughts Carley!
The first affirmation is so human it feeds a part of my soul. In fact, I would go as far as to say "deserve" rather than "desire". The others are essential to our continued existence; the immediacy of the first begs the urgency of the rest.
Thanks Mary for your heartfelt comments. I really like your rationale for using "deserve" instead of "desire" in the first affirmation. Makes it stronger!
Thanks for posting, Walter. I really appreciate these affirmations. What sticks out to me is the way equity and justice permeate the ideas here. Your declaration that the desire for a healthy, life-sustaining environment is a universal truth establishes a baseline for a equitable approach to the climate crisis. This then sets the stage for a conversation about developing positive values about decarbonization and mitigation as necessary strategies to enable disenfranchised communities to participate in and benefit from a healthier environment.
I appreciate your comments Kevin. Yes, the affirmations are written in a way that they can be shaped to fit an individual or group priorities. Equity and justice are vitally important as we tackle carbon and climate issues. Thanks for highlighting this for our readers.