To our readers: Before you jump into all the important news and events reported in this month's newsletter, please take a look at this excerpt from a thought-provoking essay by Seth Evans of the ECA Massachusetts Leadership Team. (Then read his complete article here at our website.)
Crisis, Opportunity, COVID-19, and Climate
There are many memes connecting the ideas of crisis and opportunity. Winston Churchill, for example, invoked the idea in the aftermath of World War II, saying, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Many of us have heard the meme that the Chinese word for “crisis” is composed of two Chinese characters signifying “danger” and “opportunity,” though native Chinese speakers recognize this as a slight misinterpretation of the word.
In any case, during this time of coronavirus, many climate activists have tried to emphasize the opportunities that the combined health and economic crises have wrought. It is activists’ “job” to do this. We look at the problems of the world with a keener sense of both pessimism and optimism than the ordinary citizen. The pessimism comes from taking the problems seriously. The optimism, in turn, comes from the belief that once people are educated about the problem and mobilized into action, that action will help ameliorate the problem.
But while the crisis does present opportunities, activists also need to guard against any false optimism. We must remember what we know about the raw exercise of economic and political power. Indeed, this is a time to increase our level of activism to make it more likely that the positive outcomes we seek are promoted, even at the risk of offending those who would say, “It’s too early to focus on the climate when we are in the middle of the coronavirus emergency.”
Instead of a mantra of “crisis equals opportunity,” we would be better off invoking the words of Joe Hill, the legendary songwriter and union organizer, who beseeched workers, “Don’t mourn, organize.”
Image Courtesy of Ricardo Levins Morales, rlmartstudio.com. . .
Of course, we all have reason to mourn, during this unprecedented pandemic. And our first priority must be focusing on our own wellbeing and the needs of our families and loved ones. But ECA Massachusetts will continue to organize, as we pivot to become a “virtual” community of climate activists, finding new ways to advance our pro-climate advocacy. You’ll find many opportunities to connect with other ECA members and take meaningful action as a virtual organization in the days and weeks ahead – including activities marking the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
Read more below! We hope you’ll join us!
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