The day I try to keep up with Pip's brain (Spoiler alert: I can’t)

Before you dive into the blog, we wanted to let you in on some news: we've got a match fund!

For the month of October, all donations to The Climatics will be doubled, thanks to a generous donation from the Uush Foundation. Head to our Donate page if you want to make your money work double time. 

So here's the thing. I thought I was starting a band.

You know, Pip and I would have matching outfits (sustainable hemp, obviously), we'd write catchy jingles about carbon sequestration, maybe do a regional tour of community halls. I'd be the one with the tambourine in the back, adding just the right amount of jingle to Pip's perfectly researched climate harmonies.

Instead, I find myself frantically googling things like "what even ARE discourses of delay" while Pip casually churns out incredible posts between making her morning coffee and checking the weather. She makes connecting complex climate concepts look about as difficult as tying her shoes.

I'm over here thinking "ooh, lets have a logo with a cute little planet wearing sunglasses", and she's writing thoughtful analyses of systemic change while probably also mentally composing her grocery list and wondering if we need more post-it notes for our next whiteboard session.

Don't get me wrong – I'm in total awe. I’m also slightly terrified that someone's going to figure out I'm just here for the vibes and the possibility of creating cool merch.

The burden of being human (and occasionally needing coffee)

Here's what I've learned from working with and watching incredible communities around the world: we are all beautifully, chaotically human. And humans need both the serious, research-backed, systems-thinking approaches AND the permission to not be perfect.

I see people who care deeply for the climate beating themselves up because they forgot their reusable coffee cup. Again. Or because they accidentally threw that coconut yogurt container in the wrong bin and now they're questioning their entire commitment to the planet.

Let’s all take a moment to be generous with ourselves. 

You know what's not going to save the planet? Any of us giving ourselves a guilt trip because we needed caffeine and the only option was a disposable cup. You know what might help save the planet? All of us showing up with energy, joy, and the curiosity to support the kind of systemic work that actually moves the dial.

Today's mission: make Pip laugh

Which brings me to today's actual mission: making Pip laugh. Because in between all her brilliant insights and casual genius moments, she loves those reminders that this work can also be joyful. That we can care deeply about something while also not taking ourselves too seriously along the way.

So Pip, this one's for you: Remember when we thought our biggest challenge would be choosing between Comic Sans and Times New Roman for our website font? Simpler times, my friend, simpler times.

The "yes, and" of climate action

I do improv. Very amateurly. But one thing I've learned from flailing around on stage is the golden rule: "yes, and." Instead of shutting down ideas, you build on them. Someone says "we're on a spaceship" and you say "yes, and I think the coffee machine is broken again."

Working with Pip has been like the world's most productive improv scene. I'll suggest something completely whimsical like "what if we had a mascot?" and instead of rolling her eyes, she goes "yes, and here's how that could actually connect to our narrative pillar."

This is exactly what the climate movement needs more of. Less "no, but that won't work because..." and more "yes, and what if we also tried this?" Less shutting down the person worried about their coffee cup and more "yes, you care, and here are some bigger ways we can channel that care together."

The both/and of it all

Here's the thing (and this is where I attempt to slide in with some actual wisdom, because I’ve heard that's the purpose of a blog): we need both the earnest AND the whimsical. We need Pip's incredible ability to make complex things make sense AND we need the person who shows up with homemade cookies to the community meeting. We need the policy experts AND we need the people who make TikToks about composting.

The climate movement is big enough for all of us. For the spreadsheet lovers (Pip!) and the interpretive dancers (me!). For the people who can effortlessly explain carbon cycles, and the people who just know that something needs to change and they want to help.

An invitation 

None of us have to be perfect. None of us have to know everything. We definitely don't have to keep up with Pip's brain (because honestly, even she probably surprises herself sometimes).

We just have to care. So maybe, if you're feeling it, join our slightly chaotic and very earnest band of climate-curious humans who are figuring it out as we go.

We promise there will be both excellent insights AND terrible puns. Maybe even in the same sentence.

Now, I’m off to google what "carbon dioxide vs nitrous oxide vs methane lifespans" actually means before Pip casually mentions it in conversation like it's basic vocabulary.

Still learning (and occasionally jingling), 

P.S. Pip, if you're reading this, please know that your incredible nerd-burger-y ability to make this stuff accessible is exactly why we are here. Also, you’re in charge of all future fact-checking (and possibly basic life skills too).