grow under the program , while CO2 would fall rapidly , despite the old narrative of economy and environment being bad for each other .
The plan sounded good , but I couldn ’ t imagine fossil fuel companies — who run the world , right ?— would ever let this through . I was intrigued , but my heart was hardened against lobbyists and Washington alike .
When I asked Susan about this , I was stunned to learn that many fossil fuel companies are already advocating for carbon pricing , because a predictable mechanism is much easier to plan for than regulations that change with every administration . But what really captivated me was what she said about the politicians . We work with them , she said . We find something we appreciate in what they ’ ve done . We ’ re respectful ; we listen to what they care about and find common ground . That is the CCL way . It ’ s our job to find a way for this solution to be good for them and to build the political will for them to do what is right . It popped into my head : this boat is big enough for everyone !
I left the meeting with that phrase echoing in my mind . Over the last two years I ’ ve watched it in action . This problem is so big that we need everyone on board . Like to knit ? We ’ ll figure out a way for you to knit for CCL ! Belong to the Tea Party or another group historically opposed to climate science ? Come on in ! What do you care about ? Tell us what you think ! I will ask lots of questions , I will share my views , and I will hold you accountable , but I will not cast you out of my heart .
CCL is growing by leaps and bounds . There ’ s been real progress in building bipartisan support in Congress , and we have set a stretch goal of passing our legislation in 2017 . And yet the CCL way is at the core of it . At our monthly meetings we practice communicating and being vulnerable . We experiment with ways of listening and we learn about how our biases prevent us from connecting . We explore how strongly we want to be right , but how that usually makes someone else wrong , and how powerful
it is if no one has to be wrong .
Of course climate advocacy is spiritual work . It ’ s the most overwhelming , most real , most urgent existential crisis humans have ever faced , and we ’ re being asked to fundamentally change our relationship to our world , to each other , to the comfort , convenience and efficiency that have defined the last hundred years for much of the world .
What I didn ’ t know was that climate activism is spiritual practice . It ’ s opening my heart , seeking connection , speaking my truth , getting out of my comfort zone . I couldn ’ t go into a Senator ’ s office — one whose political views are nearly perfectly opposed to mine — and talk to him about something I care about and he disagrees with unless it was for all the marbles . I ’ m not doing it for me , or my family , or even my patients . I ’ m doing it for everyone , including him . My options are to say no because I ’ m afraid , or grow . It ’ s that simple . Just try to stop me .
Claire Herrick is an ObGyn physician working at the University of Arizona in Tucson where she sees patients and teaches students and residents . She loves caring for women , and volunteers her time with Citizens ’ Climate Lobby so that the babies she delivers will always be welcomed into a safe and beautiful world .
10 IMAGINE l FALL 2016