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The Politics of Climate Change |
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Purpose: To gain a deeper understanding of how governments and groups are addressing climate change. Length: 2.5 hours Opening Circle - 10 minutes
- One minute of silence
- Check-in
Politics and Policy – 70 minutes
Buddy teams have 10-15 minutes each to present the information they found in their investigations, leaving time for questions from the group:
- Key local government initiatives on global warming
- Key state legislative initiatives/issues
- A national issue (e.g., the question of cap and trade vs. carbon tax)
- An international issue (e.g., the effects of ethanol on the world food market)
Break – 10 minutes
Politics and Policy Discussion – 40 minutes
Take time to talk about the following statements:
- The very best possible political decisions and actions (legislation, treaties, etc.) will not happen unless or until we engage people.
- What’s most important is what we are doing RIGHT NOW.
- We need to empower people. The actions and choices of each of us are critical. We need to do what we can in our homes, schools, workplaces, faith institutions, community organizations.
- Social, economic, and environmental equity are interrelated. They cannot be separated.
Discuss the practical implication of applying Gandhi’s three principles to climate change:
- Personal transformation;
- Constructive program (create the new society within the shell of the old);
- Political practice: always stand up . . . in every area of our life.
Homework – 10 minutes
- Be aware of the evolving news on climate change in order to continue our education on this topic.
- The Story of Your Journey - Looking back over the first six Earth Circles sessions, use the metaphor of a journey to describe your experience of all levels of the work. Think about the beginning, your experience as the work progressed, and where you are now. Write down your thoughts. Some possible questions: What have you been most grateful for? What has challenged you the most? Share this story with your buddy before the next session.
Closing Circle – 10 minutes
- Facilitator thanks everyone for participating.
- Earth Circle members in turn end the session with a personal sharing, such as:
As we move forward together I call upon _______ to walk with us.
(e.g., courage, love, the wisdom of the trees, the power of community, the strength of the individual, the knowledge of the journey, the solidarity of the work ahead, etc. These can be recorded as a reminder to the group). While other comments can be included here, the selection of wording or phrasing in common could enhance the solidarity of the group and sharpen the focus of the Closing Circle. |
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