Paging Earth is a climate communications blog dedicated to demystifying, depolarizing and educating the public about climate change activism and climate science.
Each week, one of our GCP team members shares the content currently making their world go ‘round.
This week, our Media and Communications Youth Coordinator and Paging Earth writer, Hannah Siebert shares her top picks:
Hi! I’m Hannah, because of my background in environmental education, my picks center around not only what has been inspiring me as a young person in the environmental movement, but what I believe could inspire all young adults and kids looking for guidance in dealing with climate change. I hope these resources light your fire like they do mine!
Podcast of the week: TED Radio Hour by NPR: Climate Mindset
I have a deep love for the TED Radio podcast, and the episode “Climate Mindset” sticks out to me as one of the most powerful. First aired in May 2020, the speakers address how we can grow out of the pandemic, the importance of “stubborn optimism”, how the youth are driving the climate movement, and how we can shift our perspective to see the world through a more unifying lens.
The featured speakers include political strategist Tom Rivett-Carnac, diplomat Christiana Figueres, climate justice activist Xiye Bastida, and writer, illustrator, and artist Oliver Jeffers.
Who’s in my feed: Xiye Bastida
Eighteen year old Xiye Bastida is a youth climate activist, and has been a lead organizer for the Fridays For Future climate strikes in New York City. I first heard her speak in the TED radio hour interview, about what inspired her to start taking climate action, what its like to feel the weight of the future on your shoulders, and viewing the climate movement as a collaborative effort.
Hearing that parents ask her “when do I start telling my kid about the climate crisis?” put tears in my eyes, because that’s the pressure currently on our youth. We expect young people to have the answers. Follow Xiye to see just how gracefully she is addressing that pressure, through “action by example”.
What I’m reading: The Story of More by Hope Jahren
The reason why Hope Jahren’s book The Story of More is so effective is because it is so accessible. The Story of More basically includes all of the information that would be in an introductory college course on climate change, but her explanations of the science are extremely clear.
She puts the magnitude of the impacts that humans have had on our environment into perspective by describing how things have changed in just her own lifetime, since 1969. All the while her tone is conversational, despite being chock full of hard hitting statistics.
Add to your watchlist: Public Trust film, Patagonia
Released free to watch on YouTube in September 2020, Public Trust: The Fight For America’s Public Lands, sheds light on three major battles over our natural resources. The documentary centers around the individuals and many indigenous groups that are advocating to keep public lands public, and raise awareness around the political forces threatening to develop them.
One of the key messages of the documentary is that the desire to protect public lands is widely shared across the political spectrum, and that we can all come together to hold government accountable.
Musician carrying a Message: Xiuhtezcatl
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is a 20 year old hip hop artist and activist using his talent to deliver powerful messages about social justice, climate justice, and recognizing Indigenous voices. Check out his most recent music video release “Moments” on YouTube.
While you’re at it, watch this video, “Stand Up and Stand Together with Xiuhtezcatl” by The Adulthood for inspiring advice to Gen Z on “climate justice, intersectional organizing, and sovereign storytelling”.
Find Xiuhtezcatl on Spotify here.
Eye on the arts: Oliver Jeffers
Many of Oliver Jeffers’ artworks and installations are meant to deliver a simple message often lost in the chaos of the world: we are all here on Earth together. A reminder that we could all use to treat each other, and the earth, a little kinder.
He also makes beautifully illustrated children’s books. His art and his books help children and adults alike make a little more sense out of the world.
Explore more of Oliver Jeffer’s World here.
Check back next week for more leaders and creators lending their voices to the conversation on climate!
