Hints for Sorting Your Climate Change Options
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I don’t know about you, but I can get overwhelmed by how the different layers of climate change feed into each other. For example, my interest in local endangered whales led to learning about their scarce food supplies.
This, in turn, led to knowing where salmon comes from since we share that taste. Then it was the hatcheries that stock the local wild salmon, the health of the rivers, and more. Connecting the dots got me to overwhelmed.
Sort into Five Layers
Consider for a minute the climate change actions you’ve considered lately – those you’ve considered starting or those you want to take a step further. Without some way to sort out their connections, you can get lost in between the big overall picture and the details.
I’ve been sharing an image of five climate layers that helped me zoom in to the details and then back out to the larger patterns. It turns out that my interest in local whales has now broadened to include their Habitat, the regional environment and its creatures.
You can use the labels as they make sense to you (Food, Stuff, Energy, Habitat, Life Support) or check out some guidelines that worked for me. So far, this map has helped me in two ways. It helped me see that my interests clustered in one layer: Habitat. It also helped me see how I avoid the Energy layer with its electrical language. I now leave that layer to others.
A Sorting Worksheet
If you are a beginner at taking climate change or feeling burnout, I suggest using the five layers to sort your interests however they show up. Start and stick with what interests you. What catches your eye. What you care about. I found it easier if you don’t get sidetracked by second-guessing your reasons or, even worse, what other people think you should do. Once I had my focus narrowed down to one layer I found it easier to learn facts and develop my own opinions
Here’s an updated version of the five layers with room for your own notes and ideas.
Free Printable Sorting Worksheet
If such tools help your thinking, do consider subscribing below to keep sharing ideas as they develop. If you’re one of the first 50 to subscribe* this November, you’ll get a free printable copy of this worksheet. Writing out your options gives you a reminder for your refrigerator or bathroom mirror. Small steps can lead to bigger actions.
* (Former “Whales” subscribers actually are resubscribing; you do not need to unsubscribe to the “Whales” blog.)
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