Friday reflection
One thing for the planet
Hi there.
I got to interview media trailblazer, women’s advocate, and personal role model Pat Mitchell earlier this week, who at nearly 80 says exudes more energy and passion than almost anyone I know (my 10-year-old daughter may be the exception).
“Getting engaged, really taking up the fight, getting into the struggle, is great for you,” Pat told me. “It is, as my friend Jane Fonda says, the antidote to aging.”
The fight Pat wants us to take up most, no matter who we are or what our background: Climate justice.
I’ve chosen a powerful moment from our conversation as this week’s quote, below; I’ll be sharing our full conversation with all of my paid subscribers later this month. A quick note for anyone who might not know: She mentions Mary Robinson, who among many other things is the former President of Ireland.
Quote
“The first thing we have to do is overcome our own reticence to step forward and take leadership, thinking, ‘Okay, somebody else is doing that, I'm not a climate leader.’ That's what I said to Mary Robinson: ‘I’m not a climate leader. I work for women.’ But working for women, working for good education, working for good jobs, working for better salaries, working for promotions, and advancement, and representation, all of that is not going to be possible on a dead planet.”
- Pat Mitchell
The Questions
Is there one thing that you know you could do to ease your impact on the planet, that’s sort of been tucked away as a “someday” or “when I get to it” thing?
Will you commit to taking action on that one thing before the end of the month?
For me, that one thing is to start composting. Maybe for you it’s washing and reusing Ziploc bags, taking public transportation at least X times a week instead of driving, getting quotes for having solar panels installed, cutting back on meat (or giving it up altogether)… what else? Help inspire others by sharing your “one thing” in the comments.
You are a mighty force!
Amanda
P.S. I encourage you to learn about a group called Connected Women Leaders (CWL) that Pat helped create (of which Mary Robinson and many other truly amazing women leaders from all over the globe are a part) and take their climate justice pledge.