Ok, so you know how in those end-of-the-world, aliens-have-landed-on-Earth movies there is "an expert" called in for their expansive knowledge and ability to save the day? I have a sneaking suspicion Dr. Johnson might be that type of hero where climate change is concerned.
I was yesterday years old when the Publishers Weekly newsletter in my inbox put Dr. Johnson on my radar, and I've spent the last day and a half down a delightfully hopeful rabbit hole.
The fateful click that glimmered me into the rabbit hole was to the article "Climate Change Doomsday Can Be Averted with the Tools We Have Right Now: PW Talks with Ayana Elizabeth Johnson" by Radhamely De Leon, July 19, 2024.
Dr. Johnson is an accomplished marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She has a new book coming out in September entitled What If We Get It Right? This book's upcoming release was the catalyst for the newsletter article.
Dr. Johnson was interviewed by De Leon:
RDL: "What inspired you to write this book?"
AEJ: "As someone who’s been involved in climate communication for years, the thing that I kept wanting was some sense of what the future could hold if we actually deployed all these climate solutions that we already have. And sometimes I had this feeling that one of the things holding us back was people just lacking a sense that it was worth the effort. I realized that I needed to talk directly to experts and ask this big question of ‘What if we get it right?’ and let people hear the wisdom in their words."
RDL: "What was your takeaway from talking with youth climate activists?"
AEJ: "That the movement has to be intergenerational. A lot of people are putting pressure on these young climate leaders, expecting them to already be taking over. But they do not control the majority of the wealth on this planet, they do not have relationships with people in power. So while they are leading the way forward, we can't just say the young people are on top of it. We need to figure out how to collaborate across generations."
As I read the short interview, Dr. Johnson's reply to the question about youth climate activists instantly brought Off The Pews to mind.
Intergenerational cooperation is a core pillar of OTP's vision, and Dr. Johnson's brief analysis of the varied generational strengths was a perfect illustration of the benefit of cooperation.
The Rabbit Hole
A quick online search led me to her website, and down the rabbit hole I went. Mind blown!
If you are short on time, please bookmark her website for future reference—there is so much to discover! But if you have just 5 minutes right now, watch her TED Talk: How to Find Joy in Climate Action.
This morning I downloaded the VENN diagram she created so I can determine where I can best focus my talents for climate action (beyond my own garden). Yesterday I bought the Kindle edition of All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis.
Excuse me, I want to go read and make a plan. Enjoy your trip down the rabbit hole!
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