Individual Action
Studies have shown that just talking about climate change can help people understand and accept its reality. Our network member The Perth Coping with Climate Change Café is one example of folks getting together to share stories, fears and solutions in an open and respectful way.
“We weren’t looking for solutions but found relief in being able to have an open, frank exchange and to listen to others. With greater comfort there was a willingness to raise the topic in other fora in the community and to try ways to change our behaviour to lower their carbon footprints and make ourselves feel better at the same time. ” —Kate McLaren, Climate Change Café organizer
Spotlight On: Alex Robinson and Green Goderich
Green Goderich was established in 2019 with a mission to unite people and protect and support the town’s local ecosystems. One of the ways they hoped to achieve their goals was through education. But the pandemic put a wrench in their plans.
“Before the pandemic hit, we were typically a very in-person, hands on type of group. So, we had to decide what would the best way to go,” said Alex Robinson, the Communications Coordinator for Green Goderich.
“We did a lot of speaking events, online webinars, but it still felt like there was something missing.”
Alex noticed that seniors who worked with the organization found Zoom overwhelming, but were more comfortable with watching YouTube videos.
Alex’s anecdotal observation turned out to be the conclusion of experts too. According to The State of Social Media in Canada 2020, a report published by Ryerson University researchers, YouTube is the second-most popular social media platform among Canadian seniors after Facebook.
Green Goderich now uses its YouTube channel for what Alex calls, “those things that people would come and ask us about after an event. Things like composting and recycling, common questions like that.
”The goal of the videos is to answer key questions people tend to have. I like to start off with why it’s an important environmental thing to focus on, and then get to the tips on how to go about implementing it in their own home,” said Alex.
Alex has now made five how-to videos, with her kitchen as her studio. Though she is excited to get back to in-person events, she intends the videos to be a long-term project to support the community.
“We want to hopefully expand the knowledge base a little bit if we can. I’m thinking of doing some sort of native garden video, because we do get a lot of questions about that, and to feature some local businesses,” said Alex.
“Even as we start doing more this summer, I’m still really enjoying making these videos, and I want to continue.”
Check out Green Goderich’s YouTube channel here, which includes Alex’s How-To videos and the organization’s webinars: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH2fI_zMSybDGh4U26VGRVgAnd sign up for their newsletter if you’d like to stay informed about their work: https://www.greengoderich.com/
Get learning with Green Goderich!
- Check out Green Goderich’s list of environmental newsletters and websites
- Feeling some eco-anxiety? Green Goderich has some resources that can help you navigate the stress we all sometimes feel when we think about climate change.
- Follow Green Goderich on social media and get eco-tips every Tuesday!
Resources
- Start your own conversation about climate change. Not sure how to go about it? You can find some tips for facilitating a chat about the climate emergency here.
- Check out these seven essential resources for climate conversations.
- You can join a Digital Climate Conversation with the Eco-Elders of Calgary.
- Take the For Our Kids Action of Month. This month, send a letter to your MP voicing your support for Bill C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.
