I particularly like this" "We don’t need to be nice, but we do need to be kind." This elder has not always played a positive role in political contexts because I forget this. Younger people, quite properly demand it.
Should there be lines about how we will educate ourselves? This is a scientific and technical field that is always changing - 10 years ago, an environmentalist might not have known what fracking was; a person interested in joining may not know what to make of nuclear power. Maybe this is a non-issue - movements are always full of people at all stages of informing themselves on issues legal, technical, etc., - but it sure is something that has daunted me.
This is wonderful. I am reminded also of a recent episode of "How to Save a Planet" in which the hosts discuss each of our Venn diagrams and how to find an entry point into climate work: what are you good at? What is the work that needs doing? What brings you joy? The answer is at the intersection.
I read through the thoughtful comments you have already received and concur with them. The principles outlined are excellent--and the wordy, descriptive format is good because it provides clarity on the meaning. A one word "short description" for each principle would be a good memory device as well as a quick communication/feedback tool within the group. I want to reinforce the comment made about the importance of educating ourselves. I have worked in the gas energy industry in a Human Resources capacity for 30 years and we can be more effective in influencing change for a new energy roadmap when we have a working knowledge of the "landscape".
Great words. Much better than a short blurb I read about this group that mentioned extra time and assets. The environmental elite has never worked well for the cause. Many of us are busy and will be working and scrambling until the end. But we still need to make this our priority.I do like a suggestion below of making this group 50 years and up. Always easily present how a person can donate, but never mandate a charge. You are best when you cop to having no idea what you are doing, Amidst such rigor and great energy.
We will face the challenges of climate degradation and rising inequality urgently and honestly. But we will not get bogged down in negativity and empty debates. We are solutions focused.
Given that the young have their own movements/orgs, I think it is important for us older activists to only support and especially when asked. An org for 60+ should focus on turn 60+ in to educated activists and not be patronizing to the young. Even within families to various degrees.
Really love the phrasing and philosophy in all of these! The only word that stuck out as out of keeping with the rest was "ugly" -- maybe find another less loaded word?
I'm not sure it's possible, but it would be great to have a 1-2 word encapsulating "title" for each of the principles as a shorthand and even koan, and a way to remember and tick these off in your mind as a checklist.
Along those same lines (kind but not nice): I've made a decision in the past few years that I'm going to be a polite, cheerful pain in the ass. Given how many self-righteous, irate pain in the asses there are out there, I figure it'll be appreciated.
I particularly like this: we also know that one of our big and joyful jobs is to support younger people leading movements for environmental and social justice. They often ask for support, not direction, and that’s what we should provide.
There is a compelling case that world-wide economic growth will be instrumental in driving effective solutions to the climate crisis, but those of us who populate the economies historically responsible for the climate crisis must be willing and open to changes in our consumption patterns and distribution of wealth that will equitably allocate the benefits of future growth. Our young people get this; we can be strong, effective partners by shouldering the burden of making the planet a more equitable place for the human and natural worlds.
For me, it's the mentor role your generation plays. Some of my greatest influences in the sciences, especially environmental justice, have been among your generation (you, Michael Mann, Bob Massie, Bill Nye, Naomi Klein). Connecting with younger influencers (who don't come to mind at the moment), creating that bridge, I'd say, is among the best way to create the broad-based movement your envisioning. Basing it on a sense of personal responsibility, caring for the sanctity of all life (human, creature, our planet), is the thred, I believe, that will hold all this together.
Thank you for the intentionality shown in the guidelines. I'm excited to see how I can contribute to this work. Thank you for setting the wheel in spin for those of us over 60.
I might suggest a change to the 2nd guideline's reference to our country being "ugly in unfamiliar ways." The word "unfamiliar"gives me pause because I think a lot of the hatred and ugliness we've been seeing is, unfortunately, not unfamiliar to Americans of color. It seems like the hate is just more widely distributed now. I agree with the main thrust of this guideline, however---that we should work with humility and the intention of not further fraying connections between people.
Hi Mr. McKibben, I’m Tom Hartland responding to your email welcoming me to ThirdAct. I’m glad to be with you.
What prompted my response to ThirdAct’s introductory video was its assertion that as a person over 60 years of age, my experience and vision are essential to the work at hand.
Yes, it is, but I’d almost forgotten it! Now I'm seeing how ThirdAct can be a wake-up call for we who were given to think upon retirement that our time for meaningful contribution had passed.
And what’s essential about us, I believe, is that along with an eagerness for change, we also bring our optimism born of the ‘60s for how social and political movements can galvanize quickly and to widespread effect.
So now as your discussion is firming those guardrails for growth, please consider me available and ready to act – ThirdAct : )
I particularly like this" "We don’t need to be nice, but we do need to be kind." This elder has not always played a positive role in political contexts because I forget this. Younger people, quite properly demand it.
Should there be lines about how we will educate ourselves? This is a scientific and technical field that is always changing - 10 years ago, an environmentalist might not have known what fracking was; a person interested in joining may not know what to make of nuclear power. Maybe this is a non-issue - movements are always full of people at all stages of informing themselves on issues legal, technical, etc., - but it sure is something that has daunted me.
This is wonderful. I am reminded also of a recent episode of "How to Save a Planet" in which the hosts discuss each of our Venn diagrams and how to find an entry point into climate work: what are you good at? What is the work that needs doing? What brings you joy? The answer is at the intersection.
I read through the thoughtful comments you have already received and concur with them. The principles outlined are excellent--and the wordy, descriptive format is good because it provides clarity on the meaning. A one word "short description" for each principle would be a good memory device as well as a quick communication/feedback tool within the group. I want to reinforce the comment made about the importance of educating ourselves. I have worked in the gas energy industry in a Human Resources capacity for 30 years and we can be more effective in influencing change for a new energy roadmap when we have a working knowledge of the "landscape".
Great words. Much better than a short blurb I read about this group that mentioned extra time and assets. The environmental elite has never worked well for the cause. Many of us are busy and will be working and scrambling until the end. But we still need to make this our priority.I do like a suggestion below of making this group 50 years and up. Always easily present how a person can donate, but never mandate a charge. You are best when you cop to having no idea what you are doing, Amidst such rigor and great energy.
We will face the challenges of climate degradation and rising inequality urgently and honestly. But we will not get bogged down in negativity and empty debates. We are solutions focused.
Given that the young have their own movements/orgs, I think it is important for us older activists to only support and especially when asked. An org for 60+ should focus on turn 60+ in to educated activists and not be patronizing to the young. Even within families to various degrees.
Really love the phrasing and philosophy in all of these! The only word that stuck out as out of keeping with the rest was "ugly" -- maybe find another less loaded word?
I'm not sure it's possible, but it would be great to have a 1-2 word encapsulating "title" for each of the principles as a shorthand and even koan, and a way to remember and tick these off in your mind as a checklist.
I am an old “newbie” lurking, reading, and learning from all of you as this movement organizes. A lot of us are here, just not very verbal yet!
Along those same lines (kind but not nice): I've made a decision in the past few years that I'm going to be a polite, cheerful pain in the ass. Given how many self-righteous, irate pain in the asses there are out there, I figure it'll be appreciated.
I particularly like this: we also know that one of our big and joyful jobs is to support younger people leading movements for environmental and social justice. They often ask for support, not direction, and that’s what we should provide.
This is useful on how to organize volunteers. https://labornotes.org/2021/09/stewards-corner-recruiting-and-keeping-volunteers
There is a compelling case that world-wide economic growth will be instrumental in driving effective solutions to the climate crisis, but those of us who populate the economies historically responsible for the climate crisis must be willing and open to changes in our consumption patterns and distribution of wealth that will equitably allocate the benefits of future growth. Our young people get this; we can be strong, effective partners by shouldering the burden of making the planet a more equitable place for the human and natural worlds.
For me, it's the mentor role your generation plays. Some of my greatest influences in the sciences, especially environmental justice, have been among your generation (you, Michael Mann, Bob Massie, Bill Nye, Naomi Klein). Connecting with younger influencers (who don't come to mind at the moment), creating that bridge, I'd say, is among the best way to create the broad-based movement your envisioning. Basing it on a sense of personal responsibility, caring for the sanctity of all life (human, creature, our planet), is the thred, I believe, that will hold all this together.
Thank you for the intentionality shown in the guidelines. I'm excited to see how I can contribute to this work. Thank you for setting the wheel in spin for those of us over 60.
I might suggest a change to the 2nd guideline's reference to our country being "ugly in unfamiliar ways." The word "unfamiliar"gives me pause because I think a lot of the hatred and ugliness we've been seeing is, unfortunately, not unfamiliar to Americans of color. It seems like the hate is just more widely distributed now. I agree with the main thrust of this guideline, however---that we should work with humility and the intention of not further fraying connections between people.
Hi Mr. McKibben, I’m Tom Hartland responding to your email welcoming me to ThirdAct. I’m glad to be with you.
What prompted my response to ThirdAct’s introductory video was its assertion that as a person over 60 years of age, my experience and vision are essential to the work at hand.
Yes, it is, but I’d almost forgotten it! Now I'm seeing how ThirdAct can be a wake-up call for we who were given to think upon retirement that our time for meaningful contribution had passed.
And what’s essential about us, I believe, is that along with an eagerness for change, we also bring our optimism born of the ‘60s for how social and political movements can galvanize quickly and to widespread effect.
So now as your discussion is firming those guardrails for growth, please consider me available and ready to act – ThirdAct : )