Last year Amanda Jones completed the yearlong Exploring Faith and Climate Justice course run in partnership by Woodbrooke and Quakers in Britain. At the Climate Justice Gathering which followed, a number of interest groups emerged, one of these being a group focused on ‘Visioning’.
In this blog Amanda reflects on the concept of ‘Visioning’ and looks ahead to an upcoming Woodbrooke session which explores this idea further. The blog finishes with a poem written by Amanda during her time on the climate course.
Photo by Philip Wood at Woodbrooke and Quakers in Britain’s Climate Justice Gathering 2023
We know about climate change, climate justice and stagger our way forward through climate anxiety. Choices emerge amongst our quiet moments. Emotions ebb and flow like the flooded surface water. But where do we decide to go?
Just turning to our local community offers an insight into what is really happening. So many initiatives are emerging, growing and holding on firmly. Connecting our groups, organisations, charities, councils, individuals and communities we find such an inclusive opportunity to embrace equality.
I could decide to be angry about being disabled and losing my lifetime work. Or I could decide to adapt my future, just like we need to adapt to our changing world. Do I put my energy into anger and arguments about discrimination? Or do I include these issues in joining forces with my peers, medical professionals and interested people? I choose the latter to increase awareness, work collaboratively, influence change and be strategically involved. My voice is heard.
All voices can be heard in solidarity. Transition Towns are one opening. There are many others throughout our local, national and international avenues.
Dare to dream of a future you see. Whatever it is be adventurous in involving yourself with others, respecting each other’s views and differences and bringing about the changes we need.
‘Resilient Communities: why we need radical imagination’ is a recent Woodbrooke course which focused on visualising our future. By questioning ourselves with ‘What If?’ all sorts of scenarios can be explored. It’s a natural follow on from learning about climate justice.
Nature as a Person
Would we wound thee
Without consequences?
Over and over.
Land carefully tended
Until exploitation
Blocking indigenous.
A place for all living things.
The rights of rice giving rise
To ecocide, damage deliberate.
Rivers suing people, but vice versa?
Localise food systems,
Value with nature,
Provides.
Cooperative, no packaging.
A patchwork of regenerative farms.
Mixed resources of food.
Education, knowledge shared.
Live by example, prove it works.
Engage with wider society.
Together, we care.
Amanda Jones (17.8.23)
Resilient Communities: why we need radical imagination has now past however you can book onto future sessions in the Resilient Communities series using the link below.
Book your place on the upcoming Resilient Communities sessions
