A principle I’ve come across recently is to embrace that which you originally wanted to change and the embracing dissolves the resistance. In the climate change issue, many people who have left political leanings believe climate change is the biggest issue facing humanity. Yet, many on the right believe climate change does not exist.
How do we dig ourselves out of this impasse, which stops dialogue and problem-solving?
The purpose of the new podcast I am hosting with my conflict colleague, Gordon White, is to explore how to move through these intractable blockages. We have been on the quest of tracking down the brightest minds in conflict and beyond to answer our questions. Our questions have to do with how to engage with the key challenges facing humanity in the area of conflict and what could any of us do about it… starting tomorrow.
Which brings me back to this principle of embracing what is. At this point in our humanity, many of our species can, I believe, feel the gravity of our situation. Whether that is because of climate change or some other aspect of the sixth extinction, I do believe, like horses, we can sense impending danger. When we are afraid, we are not at our best. We cannot access all our resources. We cannot think straight.
One thought I want to offer is the importance of creating dialogue spaces. Just like the work of people in war-torn countries who are creating spaces to have dialogue between those on “opposite sides” it is time to set up dialogue circles to bring together those of opposing positions in climate change.
Embracing what is, in this case, would be admitting our conflict is intractable, and starting to call for peace talks!
Let’s do it. Do you know anyone who is on the “opposite” side of the climate change issue to you? Can you start small by hosting an informal gathering? Perhaps a dinner as Keith Kahn-Harris shared with Gordon White and I (in one of our upcoming podcasts)? Something small and modest and a way to build connections.
We need each other across all issues, especially climate change.