adrienne maree brown talks about the fractal nature of our world — how its complexity emerges from the repetition of simple patterns at every scale[i]. We see this in the prevalence of spirals, or “Fibonacci patterns,” throughout the universe, from ferns, to nautilus shells, to galaxies. We see it in deltas, in our veins, in lightning bolts, in snowflakes. We see it in humanity today, as our rates of depression and loneliness escalate while the living world around us is dying. How we are on a small scale reflects how we are on a larger scale.

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            While our individual existence may seem, on the whole, insignificant, our embodiment of the planetary condition shines

a light on how deeply connected we are to the rest of the world. And our interconnectedness reminds us that the 

relationship goes both ways — just as the world feeds into us, we feed into the world[ii]. If we can change who we are on

a fractal level, we can change who we are on a global level. And we have the conscious agency of choice to achieve this.

If we all choose to think differently, to embody a new way of being, we can cultivate a new global state.

We — the individuals — are at the heart of change.

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                                                As such, embracing our role as the individual involves us developing a new sense of individuality. As Joanna Macy describes, “interconnectivity does not mean loss in individuality”[iii], but rather re-understanding the role of

the individual as a critical part of the collective and a source of diversity, not an isolated entity. While we must

not get lost in our individuality, it is essential that we embrace and explore it, and do whatever we can to

strengthen this source of resilience by following our hearts, feeding our spirits, and embracing

our truest sense of self.

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            I’m aware this is a vague call to action. It’s hard to discretely define this process. But we all

know what it feels like to be in touch with who we truly are. When we listen to a song that resonates

with us, when we say something that feels true, when we cry with a loved one. And most of

us also know what it feels like to not be in touch with ourselves, when we numb our

emotions to reach a deadline, when we lie about how we’re feeling to avoid conflict,

when we criticize and fix ourselves to meet society’s standards.

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            We obviously can’t abandon deadlines, work or obligations to society — particularly

in a time when we need to organize as efficiently as possible. But we can work to figure out

how to incorporate ourselves into a sustainable future in a way that is true to who we are, and that highlights our individual

strengths. We can find our roles in global change through what we’re passionate about, what were good at. Whether we’re

artists, accountants, skilled workers, engineers, organizers…. Change is needed on every level of society, and you can address

the climate crisis through whatever tasks you are best suited to perform, through whoever you are meant to be. 

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                               A perspective that helped me embrace climate change and step into my individual role was learning to come from a place of responsibility rather than guilt. Once I started to realize that anthropogenic climate change was a “product of the

totality of human actions over time”[iv], of generations of exploitation and derangement, and not necessarily me forgetting

to turn the light off, it became much easier for me to take action. I stopped being clouded with utter shame when I saw

headlines about climate news, and was able to see issues and next steps more clearly. I still feel an unconditional

sense of responsibility, and often, heartbreak, especially as a white, privileged woman, and this sense of responsibility

only grows the more I learn about the state of our world. But I work to make it an empowered, vigilant, and hopeful

responsibility. It is much easier to take action in this state of mind.

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            Ultimately, however, I believe one of the most important things we must do as individuals is to simply talk

about the climate crisis more. In our day to day lives, with our friends, our family, our loved ones. We should talk about

our fears, our uncertainties, the latest news, the latest discoveries. We should face the unjust impacts of climate change,

and how privilege protects some of us, while putting others in harm’s way. These are the conversations that will make us

act, and we must stop being scared to have them. As a wise wizard once said (for all you Harry Potter fans out there), “fear

of the name only increases fear of the thing itself”[v] . The climate crisis, and the mass injustices it is exposing across the

globe, can no longer be ghosts haunting us — they are our reality, and we cannot afford to be out of touch with

reality anymore.

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     The easiest way to face your fears is to do it with your loved ones by your side,

facing them with you. Conversation will let you in, and once the door is open, if you

foster a constructive conversation, I promise you will see opportunity for

change – in yourself and in the world. You will feel

more ready to search for what you can do.

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