An Inconvenient Truth for an audience of children

Back in 2007, MiniMonos founder Melissa Clark-Reynolds was one of the first two Kiwis to train with Al Gore. Last month, I went to Melbourne for a similar training, and joined her as a Climate Project Ambassador. 

I wish I could adequately convey how powerful that weekend was. When I went to Australia, I knew -- in my head -- what an important issue we were dealing with. When I returned, I felt it, in my heart and in my teeth and in my bones.

Through our Twitter account, I was able to send out continuous updates throughout the event. Thanks to the magical people I met there, and the many kind and supportive responses I got back on Twitter, I was also able to appreciate what an incredibly powerful community we make, those many millions of us seeking to set ourselves on a healing path. We are strong. We are united. We can transform the world. We will transform the world.

In what was for me one of the most meaningful moments of the weekend, someone asked Mr Gore how he kept going on such a difficult journey. He replied that what sustained him was a profound sense of privilege at being able to do this work. There is great joy, he said, in doing something so truly worthwhile.

My own varied emotions include anger (that anyone could wish to delay climate action in any way) and sadness (at the many climate tragedies we've already seen). But overwhelmingly, I share Mr Gore's feeling of gratitude, for the honour of participating in this movement that calls us to our highest selves. 

My first Inconvenient Truth presentation was to the Project Management Institute of New Zealand. I've done a fair bit of public speaking, and although I might get a few butterflies, I generally enjoy being at the front of the room. But for this, I was terrified. Luckily, there was a seat at the front; as I was being introduced, I actually thought I might faint.

But the audience was kind, and attentive, and passionate about the topic. They didn't squirm when I got choked up at images of Hurricane Katrina -- choked up even though I've seen those images many times before. They stayed with me through the Victoria bushfires and through my proposal that the Project Management Institute add a seventh constraint, sustainability, to their six-constraint project model (time, cost, scope, risk, quality, customer satisfaction). In short, they were great.

No, in the six presentations I've given so far, my hardest audience by far was the children.

Last week, I presented to two groups of schoolchildren, ranging in age from 7 to 9 years old. The presentation was a bit different -- adapted to the audience -- and included much more interactivity than the one for adults ("Who can tell me what this is? Who knows the name of this planet?"). But the most important thing is how incredible the kids were. When I asked what we could do to save the planet, the answers came fast and thick: "Use electric cars!" "We could put a mini-wind turbine on the roof of the car to supply the electricity! As the car moves, it would drive the turbine!" "We could put solar panels on the roof of the car!" "You could have a UV lamp that powers the solar panels!"

The enthusiasm and creativity of these kids astounded me -- I had expected to hear things like, "We could change the lightbulbs, I guess..." They reminded me of what's possible if you're not bound by what's been.

I'd like to publicly thank those kids. If you're ever feeling like your passion for the environment is hitting barriers, if you ever feel even a hint of despair about the state of our planet, take heart. You are not alone in this. You have Mr Gore. You have me. And you have an entire generation of children who are limitless in their optimism and their potential.

This movement is an opportunity for joy; I'm grateful you're a part of it with me.

Note: This post was written by Kaila Colbin

Comments

[David Musgrave]

Thanks for that Tweetie girl - know how you feel. I get a bit choked up when I introduce my grand daughter as part of my beginning. She is a very special little girl and I really want the world to be as wonderful for her for the whole of her lifetime as it is now and has been for me.