Often, the topic of the climate crisis engenders feelings of frustration, fear and anxiety. We think about what all that needs to be done, all that has not been done, and we become so overwhelmed that we just turn off. We turn our backs on the problems and avoid the conversations in an attempt just to cope.

I get it, it’s scary. We’re all feeling it.

I want to shift the topic instead to wonderful opportunities we have by learning to embrace this issue. For example, let’s look at garden initiatives.

Urban garden initiatives are leading the charge to convert unused urban space into something useful and they show so much potential to improve life across the board. They are good for the environment because they encourage plant growth/reduce CO2 in our atmosphere, reduce water run off, support bee populations, and so on. But they also benefit our communities by:

• increasing fruit and veggie intake

• helping school systems provide healthy food to our children

• supporting economically challenged communities

• encouraging social connections between neighbors

• getting people outside.

Upfront costs for these projects are often minimal, with the potential for substantial lifetime savings. And as a final bonus, they increase the aesthetic appeal of our urban spaces.

By focusing on these exciting opportunities, we can help reduce the sensation of helplessness and therefore allow us to begin the hard work of tackling these issues. Let us shift the narrative, bridge the gap between parties, and make this the non-political issue it truly is. We have the chance now to make lasting, positive change that benefits all of us. Who is with me?