U.S and Climate Change
Diane Shisk
Welcome, jokes or line up (knowledge or hopefulness) during first 15 minutes as people are arriving.
Acknowledgement of the native people of the land
Language liberation
5 minutes: Intro: SAL/UER—Very brief—project of RC; expressing feelings and releasing emotions frees us from feelings that pull us down and frees up our thinking to better engage in the climate crisis
Talk about the negative role this US is currently playing in the world re: the climate emergency, the possible role we could play, and the importance of US citizens engaging on these issues.
2 minutes: Who is in the room: Raise your hand if you live in the U.S.? Live in New York? Climate activists, working on climate change?
3 minutes: Paired listening introduction: turn to your neighbor, who you are, where from, connection to climate change, something you like about the US, one frustration with the US
7 minutes: The talk about US role
3 - 5 major points:
1. High level of GHG emissions; historically largest; emissions rising again at a time when most of the world working hard to reduce our govt supporting initiatives that will raise emissions even more; tremendous support for Big Oil/Coal/Gas fracking
2. Deception, denial of reality perpetrated by Big Oil and supported by US government—much of our population still in unaware of the extent of the crisis and confused about what is real, real limitation on shifting the political will in the US
3. Pulling out of global leadership and undermining global efforts (importance of our leadership globally—weakening global resolve to take the big steps necessary if US not involved; racism of turning our backs on developing world (who did not cause this problem) depending on resources from wealthy nations (who are at the root of the problem). The importance of joining the world in this effort and using resources.
6 minutes: Permission to vent: 3 minutes listening to your partner vent, then your turn.
7 minutes: Intro to RC—relevance to topic: provide a space to vent, what are your feelings about the US?
6 minutes: 3 min mini on what we’ve said
7 minutes: the difference between the U.S. and its people; US has paid a good role in the world. Face the situation w/o self-hate or guilt, US not the enemy (policies are the enemy). Help people see both the good role that US leadership could play at the same time as joining in with the rest of the world. Perspective that we hold out about the US and its people in our work. What can we hold out that is positive and useful in reaching people? Not a victim to feelings, choose your perspective. US playing a big role in the world by joining a global effort as a member, explicitly non-racism, non-domineering
We want the US to make a big change and start playing a positive leadership role on the climte emergency. What feelings do you run into if you try to be hopeful about bring this about?
10 minutes: Demo or Panel of USers to try to show diversity, try to get one person to go early
10 minutes: Think and listen? 3 or 4?
5 minutes: If small enough group, some new thought you will go forward with.
If too big, 1 minute each with partner, what you will take away.
How to have more contact with SAL/UER. Contact cards. Other events.