Powerlessness

When talking to people about the environment feelings of powerlessness will always come up. This powerlessness will have many other emotions in tow. These vary depending on the person or topic in question.

Here are some of those emotions. Any resonate with you more than others?

Angry

Worried

Afraid

Resigned

Hopeless

Grieving

There are very valid reasons for these feelings. We know that we need to change the way we function as a society, but we also know that a large proportion of the change needed is out of our hands. This leaves us feeling defeated before we even begin.

Many quote the statistics that show it’s a few large organisations globally that are responsible for most of the environmental problems we face. I don’t disagree with this argument – its true. I do however disagree with the conclusion that some people come to which says there is no point doing anything or trying because it won’t make any difference.

I've worked with individuals, and more recently with a charity, alongside other partner organisations. One of the major revelations I had through the process was around the relationship between organisations and individuals. In my work I research how we do things. I try to tease out why we do the things we do in environmentally unsustainable ways. Then give people, or organisations, options of how to do things differently. In more environmentally friendly ways.

What I realised is I can do as much groundwork as I like, I can present a lot of research and alternatives, but in the end, it always comes down to someone’s choice. An individual - a human being’s personal decision. They have the power to say yes or no. To agree to change and follow through with action or stay the same.

Yes, it is complicated, and yes there is a lot to consider, financially, practically, and emotionally when making changes to systems, culture, and habits. I understand that I do. But that doesn’t mean we are powerless. Our ability to choose is so powerful. And change can be incremental. It doesn’t have to be everything all at once. The intention we set is the important thing.

My perspective now is that seemingly faceless massive cooperations are not faceless. They are made up of people. People who are making choices everyday to perpetuate the systems, culture, and habits of that organisation. All it takes is for individuals in that company to have a change of heart.

That’s what we are really talking about here. Not faceless, machine run, self-perpetuating systems but humans. Humans with the power to change their minds, or have their minds changed, or if necessary be held to account by other humans.

If you think of all the different relationships and systems you are involved in or connected with - at home, at work, at school, at the grocery store or in your various community groups.

Do you have influence in any of these relationships or organisations? Are you in any way involved in their decision-making processes? If your answer is yes, even if it is just one of these systems or relationships, then you are powerful.

You have the power to campaign for and to initiate change.

Where is your power?

It may be in your voice. To speak up at injustice. To challenge environmentally unsustainable practices either among your friends and family, at work or in your local government.

It may be in your actions. Your day-to-day choices. Living a life that shows how things can be done differently in a ways that honour nature.

I may be in your intention. To choose to care. To make powerful choices even when you are feeling powerless.