Yesterday I read a post on Facebook (you can see the original here) that I want to share with you. This, written by John Taylor, summarises exactly and succinctly what I feel and the message that I try to get across…
Be a starling
I work as a Climate Change Advisor in Suffolk, UK. It fascinates me how people react to documentaries and films on climate change, and what motivates people to act. I’ve seen a lot of messages saying that it is all too much and it makes them depressed. Something that helped me was an analogy I first heard from Systems and Feedback Thinker, David Wasdell. The point he made and that I want to emphasise is this. How we define a problem determines how we react to it. Climate change, we are told is a BIG problem. A favourite analogy among politicians and commenters is that it is like an oil tanker. It is a vast problem with it’s own inertia and a long turning circle. The trouble is, this image creates a psychological disconnect when it comes to individual action. How is me changing a light bulb going to turn this ship around?
But this is not how I see climate change. For me, it is like a murmuration of starlings. It looks big, but look closer and you will see it is really made up of thousands and thousands of smaller individual actions and choices. It is how I heat my house, the type of car you drive, the air conditioning in that office on my street, on everyone’s street. There is no single control room driving this ship, Climate Change is an emergent property of all our individual actions.
And compared to an oil tanker, change in a flock is agile and swift. Yes, please care about the bigger picture, but if you act in the areas that you directly influence, you have the power to be the bird that turns. So do something in your life today, and be proud and tell people about it. The birds around you will see and follow suit, and soon that change will ripple through out the whole flock. If you think of climate change like this, a global response can begin with you.
John Taylor @coppicejt
Every choice you make in life is important – you are important – so do your bit and shout about it from the rooftops (oh and follow John on Twitter).
Thanks to John for allowing me to share his words.
The Snail of Happiness 
Wild Daffodil
/ November 3, 2016From one starling to another – murmuring together is a delight.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 3, 2016it is indeed
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Rach
/ November 3, 2016Thank you for sharing, it’s such a good analogy!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 3, 2016it is, isn’t it?
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Pat
/ November 3, 2016Thanks, I really needed this. The problem seems so huge, I get overwhelmed. But I’m not giving up!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 3, 2016I think it’s all about shifting our focus and seeing what we can do… and then telling our stories
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Sue laverack
/ November 3, 2016That is brilliant!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 3, 2016Isn’t it? We should all read this regularly just to help with those feelings of inadequacy.
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insearchofitall
/ November 3, 2016It’s like eating an elephant. One bite at a time. I like the starling analogy. I get frustrated that so many of us are trying so hard and there are so many others who blatantly disregard the need to care. It’s like a drop of water in the desert. But keep trying we must.
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sciencetasticblog
/ November 8, 2016I agree. If everyone did their little bit, the world would be a much better place. As well as the starling analogy, I like your analogy, insearchofitall.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 10, 2016not that we are condoning eating elephants 😉
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katechiconi
/ November 3, 2016It’s a great analogy, and takes away any excuse not to do something, anything. Any action at a micro level can cause change at a macro level.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 3, 2016I think we all need reminding of this sometimes… it’s all too easy to get depressed by the big stuff and stop doing the small stuff
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Born To Organize
/ November 3, 2016That’s delightful. What wonderful words to live by, too. Thank you for sharing.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 4, 2016It’s not often that I read something that I immediately want to share with the world, but this was one of those times
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Wildlife Destination
/ November 4, 2016That is brilliant!..From one starling to another – mumbling together is a joy.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 4, 2016It really is great… and so good to connect with other starlings!
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erinvruss
/ November 4, 2016I love this, thank you for sharing! 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 4, 2016John would like it shared far and wide, so do feel free to pass it on
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katythenightowl
/ November 5, 2016What a wonderful analogy, and something that helps me to think more about all the little changes I can make 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 5, 2016I think it’s really helpful – we just need to keep taking those small steps and remembering that it is worthwhile.
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Wildlife Destination
/ November 16, 2016That is delightful. What magnificent words to live by, as well. Much obliged to you for sharing..That is brilliant!..From one starling to another – muttering together is a delight…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 16, 2016there seem to be a lot of us around!
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