In other words I’ve started drafting a number of op eds and letters. (Following my own advice yet again: ‘writing a letter to the editor’ and ‘writing my political representatives).
And I’ve found it to be QUITE THE CHALLENGE!
Pardon my ALL CAPS SHOUTING but it really is quite something to maintain a calm and rational demeanor while writing these pieces.
There are SIX PHASES.
Oh, it starts out all fine.
PHASE ONE: A REASONABLE TONE (more or less)
Dear so-and-so;
The realities of climate change are visible on the news and outside our windows: droughts, wildfires, wonky polar vortexes, extreme heat, extreme cold, powerful storms, and so on.
Wait. Am I coming on too strong here? Oh, let’s just go for it!
PHASE TWO: STRONGLY WORDED!
We are living in the midst of environmental catastrophe!
Wait. I AM coming across too harsh, aren’t I?
PHASE THREE: POSITIVE SHIFT
In order to deal with this challenge, we need to shift to a stronger environmental consciousness.
Go on! Focus on the positive!
PHASE FOUR: ALL CAPS CREEPS IN
We have the opportunity here to reshape our society so that we NO LONGER HAVE TO FACE THE TERRIFYING PROSPECT OF OUR OWN INEVITABLE EXTINCTION.
Ah, darn it! I was supposed to mention:
- a vibrant, circular economy,
- abundant food and clean water resources,
- the potential for improved social justice and equality,
- better healthier lifestyles,
- livable cities!
Maybe I’m going about this all wrong?
PHASE FIVE: CREATIVE NONSENSE TAKES OVER
Dear so-and-so,
I am a time traveller from the future!
You need to [unintelligible] or else [unintelligible]. You can’t [unintelligible] without [unintelligible]
Oh no! I can’t maintain the vortex portal much longer! Act now on climate change or—[transmission ended]
PHASE SIX: I GIVE UP!
Maybe I should just write:
&@$$&@ + shouting!
And that’s where I end up after an hour’s worth of writing focus. Time to start the cycle all over again!
I tell you it is QUITE. THE. CHALLENGE.
Perhaps my fellow activists can advise on how best to avoid these six phases?
Let’s see how successful I am with this. I will revisit this in a future blog post!
