Recovering from Climate Grief
When people think of this beautiful planet threatened by destruction, it is not surprising that hearts fill with sadness. These feelings are painful, but it is possible to learn ways to control and convert those feelings.
Change your attitude: Dismay, yes. Despair, no.
Commonway Institute has provided workshops on global crisis and global solutions for over 30 years. A handful of participants take the challenge each time a workshop is offered, in contrast to the large numbers who sign up for “get rich quick” seminars provided by the guru of the day.
In his November blog article, Commonway’s Shariff Abdullah suggests that there are ways we can shift our focus to enable you to facilitate our coming together to survive and revive our world. The goal of his teachings has always been “a world that works for all”. Spend a little while (or a lot) on his new web site. I hope you will find his ideas inspiring.
article link: https://commonway.org/2019/11/21/are-you-in-climate-change-grief-why/
Make Your Home More Independent
The ideas we have found will move you toward practical goals that will make a difference. Here is a song to hum as you go along. Remember this song whenever you think you can’t do much on your own.
These ideas are a start with practical goals that will make a difference. Here is a song to hum as you go along.
Credit to “I am Bullyproof Music” www.IamBullyproofMusic.org
Goal 1 for your home: Reduce your personal need for “the grid”.
Many laws and rules still act as roadblocks to making a home energy independent. New terminology in use is now aiming for “Zero Dependence”. Small solar and wind chargers produce only small amounts of power, but you may be able to strategically get enough independent juice to charge your devices, to run your PC, or med equip, or even a small refrigerator.
To prepare for coming blackouts and reduce your dependence on grid energy, here are your first steps.
- Tech devices: Change to battery operated devices for daily use, such as laptop or tablet.
- Kitchen: Get a small battery or butane refrigerator and cook top.
- Electricity: Add portable solar power options for travel and home.
A place to learn about options:
The Prepared (https://theprepared.com) collects free, osessively-researched reviews of “prepper” gear for emergency home protection. This article reviews portable solar chargers.
“We reviewed 25 products and spent over 100 hours scientifically field testing the top 15 portable solar panels to find the best ones for modern survival. After considering price, durability, performance, size, and weight, we recommend the Ryno Tuff 21W Portable Solar Charger.”
https://theprepared.com/gear/reviews/portable-solar-chargers/?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=castatewidepowersolar
Goal 2 for your home: Grow and protect your outdoor space
You can protect your home from climate disaster by changing the way you garden. Reduce your need for resources and help wildlife thrive and be protected by the plants you grow. Fire prevention has become a climate change issue as we have seen during the past few years, particularly in California, Oregon and Arizona.
- Clear defensible space:The first step in preparing and protecting your own home is covered in this article from San Diego County. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/pds/fire_resistant.html
- Create a backyard habitat, with advice from National Wildlife Federation.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat program encourages everyone to manage their gardens and yards, or any outdoor space, whether a tiny balcony or several acres, to offer food, water, shelter, and a place to raise their young to beneficial insects or animals. Learn more here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backyard_Wildlife_Habitat
In order to have your garden certified, your space must do all of the following: provide food, water, cover, a place to raise young, and be maintained in a way that has a positive effect on the health of the soil, air, water, and habitat for native wildlife. As of 2006, the program has certified over 60,000 ‘backyards’. Application and details: https://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife