THE CHALLENGE:
How do we get more people to care about our climate crisis?
I know I’m not alone in asking myself this question — numerous times.
So if you also find it challenging to approach these tricky conversations and find impactful narratives to make people really want to take climate action themselves, listen up!
I’m so excited to invite you to participate in The Week alongside me this summer! The idea is that together, we will spark meaningful conversations about climate change with people in our communities, and - hopefully - truly impactful changes will follow.
What is The Week?
Over the course of a week (or two), invite a group of people to come together on three different occasions to watch a short documentary about climate change (provided by the program.) Each film is about an hour long and after watching it together, you’ll have a group conversation to discuss what you’ve learned and process the powerful emotions that the climate crisis evokes.
These three meet-ups will bring you on a journey of climate awareness and empowered optimism, leaving participants both alarmed and inspired to do something about it. That’s the idea, anyway!
Does it work?
Yes! So far, about 40,000 people have gone through The Week and people’s testimonials are heartwarming:
“I felt much more connected to the possibility of making a difference than I ever have. Selecting ways to effect change that bring me joy is a new way of looking at the climate for me.”
— Robin, Massachusetts.
"The Week has profoundly changed my life."
— Bethany, New York.
Why do it?
The Week’s program is an impactful way to foster meaningful change in the community around you by inviting people, especially those who haven’t taken action yet, to become part of the solution. It will also help you build a strong network of allies that will help you stay the course in the years to come while helping you mend your (very valid) climate anxiety.
Americans increasingly understand that global warming is happening and human-caused, and that most scientists agree that it’s happening. (Climate Change in the American Mind by YPCCC) However, they are more likely to think that others, rather than themselves, will be harmed.
This distant approach to the crisis is damaging to our movement and unfortunately, so very often untrue. The Week’s program will help you and your group uncover how the climate crisis affects you and your people while setting you up for the gritty hope and optimism needed to get to big, beautiful, and important work.
It’s a whole new way to grapple with the topic. The Week doesn’t talk about polar bears or ice caps melting, but about us. How each one of us – and the people we love – might be hit, in the next 10, 20, or 30 years. It shares solid facts and information, but above all, helps us process the emotions that can show up – fear, anger, a sense of powerlessness. By facing this head on and dealing with it, we come out on the other side energized, inspired, and empowered to do our part to turn this crisis into the defining adventure of our time.
But, another documentary, really?
Do you feel like you’ve already seen enough documentaries about climate change? I feel you, I do - but The Week is much more of a group experience, than another documentary. It was made with the sole intention of educating, empowering, and setting you up to bring the people you care about to take meaningful, joyful climate action. They are designed to bring the issue closer while bridging potential gaps in your community and home.
“I have seen many documentaries about the environment - The Week is done in a far superior way to anything else I’ve watched. It is entirely worth the time commitment required to watch it.”
— Lou Anne, Minnesota.
“By the end of the third episode, we shared possibilities and tears, in a group where tears do not come easily.”
— Kimberly and Brian, Indiana.
Now I’m asking YOU -- why not?!
I know you’re reading The Climate Optimist because you believe we can make a meaningful impact in this world. This is your opportunity to put the summer of 2024 on the map and activate some truly meaningful change.
The program is completely free to start and complete and how you choose to organize these get-togethers is up to you. The group size is of your choosing also, previous groups have spanned from just a few people to up to a hundred. Sometimes smaller groups mean more intimate settings and deeper impact, so do what feels best!
Afterward, we’ll meet up and discuss!
In August, John from The Week and I will host a community Zoom call for everyone who’s hosted a program in the past month. On this call, we can discuss how it went, what was hard, and what went above expectations. We would also love to hear how potential community action has followed or plans for impactful change are coming up!
WHY NOT?!
I know the thought of hosting something like this can be scary but what the heck do we have to lose? Let’s activate optimistic and curious climate leaders in the people we love and let’s do it now!
