Things need to change.
That’s simple.
Little else is.
Climate change is a complex, global process that disparately effects the regions and peoples of the world. The solution is complex, requiring rapid, insightful action on every personal and political level. If you’re reading this blog, you know the situation and I don’t need to lay out the facts. If you’d like to read more from the world’s experts, you can find more here, here, here and here.
As complex as it is, there are a number of simple steps. In fact, the UN created The Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving the World. I’m not sure if it’s clever marketing or a sad statement of the state of the world. Either way, there are simple tips to minimize your impact. I’ll advocate for another simple action: show up.
Showing up is important. It’s a simple action that can be powerful in light of a global movement. That movement is heading out full force this weekend with the Global Climate March. Climate change is the issue of our generation and today’s actions will affect every generation thereafter. It’s time to let the political leaders of the world know that citizens want real, science-based action, and we want it now. I 
may be naive and I was truly disappointed after the 2009 Copenhagen talks accomplished little. However, the need for action is even more urgent and past disappointments cannot dissuade future action. Online petitions and political letters are part of the pressure, but by putting feet to pavement and showing up, the effect, the photos and the media carry the message to the leaders who need to hear it.
I’ll be showing up on Sunday in Budapest. I hope you’ll show up in your city, wherever you are. After the recent attacks in France, the Parisian march is canceled, which presents an even stronger case for the rest of the world to show up for climate justice and for peace.
Great article! Thank you Hannah for promoting and practicing simplicity as an effective response to complicated issues such as climate change. In my experience, “showing up” is 90% of any task. But I have come to understand that showing up is no small feat. Navigating the hectic work schedules and consequent complex lifestyles of the West unfortunately leaves most people little time or energy to “show up” for important events such as the Global Climate March. So yes, let’s work to simplify our lifestyles a little, cut out the excesses and luxuries that pointlessly consume our precious time and energy so that we have enough to be able to show up. I believe that 90% of the task of saving this world will be people just “showing up” in mind, body and spirit to important events and discussions such as the Global Climate March.
I’m so glad you like the article, Brendan! Your response is beautifully put. I agree – it’s showing up in all forms, mind body and spirit, that will really make the changes we need to see.