Embracing Every Level of Society Requires Creative Expressions
I shared with a few of my family members that I have conceived another idea which I believe will help our community act collectively towards expediting our journey to a net-zero world. I intended to share it today here at eXit235.com since it relates to our internal workings. However, I must postpone this announcement until after I complete the most daunting part of the concept. It’s not that I fear the idea being stolen—it is, in my view, impossible to do so—but rather that I am highly security-minded and meticulous about how and when I present or unveil things to the public.
One thing I can say with certainty is that since the Climate Emergency is worsening much faster than scientists and experts predicted (see blog posts at climategut.com and titoalvarez.net), I also have to expedite my own actions in completing the opening of this community, which I now view as a viable Climate and Ecological (Green) Emergency Adaptive Resiliency Control Center. I know it’s a mouthful; however, once you become part of this community, you will understand why I hint at it being a control center.
A New Dawn for Collaboration
Soon, entirely new features on both the back-end and front-end of our community will be implemented, making this venue a sought-after online asset for many to network with like-minded individuals, collaborate, cooperate, and most of all, engage in viable discourse on the various aspects of our shared Climate Emergency.
Time is no longer on our side. We must also expedite our journey to a net-zero world from all levels—individually and collectively. Our children deserve hope and confidence about their future, and we are the ones who need to bring it to them.
Our Humble Credentials
Since I have already introduced myself in previous blog posts here at eXit235.com, I wanted to share some of my credentials and how I feel so fortunate to be insignificant in our collective fight towards an expedited net-zero world.
On March 9th, 2006, I remember clearly—it was the day I took my first baby steps towards learning everything about our shared Climate Emergency and now our Ecological (Green) Emergency. Being raised with access to a lush wooded area, I was close to nature. On that day, I immediately noticed nature was becoming ill—the insects, where were they? Their sounds were missing, the rustling of larger forest animals seemed to have decreased. I also noticed in certain media outlets that the discourse on the subject of global warming and climate change was growing, and some in not-so-good ways—such as manufactured denialism and anti-science rhetoric.
On that day, I made a strong personal determination to first learn more about climate change as a hobby, and I have done this from that day until March 2017 when I opened Climate Change Community LLC. Mind you, I have and still do not see myself as an expert on any aspect of climate change—instead probably a person who is well-read on the subject—so I had a lot of learning to do.
A Journey of Self-Discipline and Learning
At this time (2017), I was really into social media, learning everything I could about Brian Tracy on the subject of self-discipline. I was also increasing my reading of books on other aspects of our Climate Emergency, my favorite being “There Is Still Time“ by Peter Seidel. I practice Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism and have also read many books by Daisaku Ikeda on the subject of Buddhist philosophy and human revolution—a reality that many have already adopted and I am sure in time will be sought after on a much wider scale. (To learn more on the latter, simply send a message to SGI-USA and indicate you would like to attend a meeting in your neighborhood or close to it anywhere on the planet.)
From 2013 through 2016, my actions on social media as a Climate Justice Advocate posting content came to the attention of some very strong climate deniers. I was even warned by a woman who was a climate justice advocate about the pressure and attacks from these groups (including the far-right anti-science faction). I had deleted most of my social media accounts several times, so history in this area is lacking, although you can visit about.me/tito235 to see my social media links there (I will be adding more in time).
I also started attending online and in-person activities on the subject of the climate crisis, ranging from webinars, video conferencing meetings, marches, in-person seminars, and much more.
Educational Pursuits and Training Sessions
I completed the entire course to become a Climate Change Professional Officer but was not eligible to take the exam, though I will be shortly. I really plan on taking this training again in the future. I participated in a few training sessions from the Climate Reality Project, which I highly suggest everyone do as soon as they can. They will be having one in October 2024. I also attended several smaller training and even the amazing Climate Awakening dialogue sessions (about six or seven times). I highly suggest you sign up for this one, as it is about the emotional aspects of what we go through facing our Climate Emergency. I cannot forget to mention one training that everyone—and I mean everyone—should participate in: the En-ROADS Climate Ambassador Program, which is 100% free, as are most of the others mentioned.
I attended online and in-person training, marches, and dialogue sessions with the Sunrise Movement, The Climate Mobilization, Third Act, NY Renews, and a few others. I also strongly suggest you attend as many of these as you can.
I totally see myself as not knowing much about our shared Climate and Ecological (Green) Emergency for the simple fact that the more one learns, the more one realizes there is much more to learn. I have come to this conclusion from reading books and articles from various climate authors, scientists, and justice advocates on the subject.
Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks
Since March 2017, I have been working on getting Climate Change Community LLC and its child-sites like Climate Tribe off the ground—the delays have been primarily due to my worsening health conditions, anti-science and denier crowds, and even the hired hands of the fossil fuel industry, which included very skilled hackers. I know this firsthand and do not make excuses for where my company stands right now. In fact, were it not for these setbacks, challenges, and obstacles, I do not think I would have a firm, strong foundation for a company. They, in the end, turned out to be an asset towards my own personal growth since my idea of revenge or response to attacks is always to become a better version of myself—something I learned directly from the philosophy of my Buddhist practice.
What I share next is not necessarily about me at this point but many others who I desire to protect that have and are still experiencing this. The anti-science and climate deniers can be pretty insidious, sneaky, and damaging to one’s emotional stability if the person being attacked has a hard time processing and dealing with it. I have seen it firsthand and even know of at least six others now who are constantly being stalked, attacked through emotional terrorism tactics, or worse, harmed physically.
I was broken by them, but they do not realize that you cannot re-break something that has already been broken. I have now grown appreciative of these attacks, and I know many others who do not view this as I do—they break down or quit instead. I used their attacks to become a better version of myself, even telling them this to their faces a few times. I have told them, “You attack me, but you are really attacking your own dignity and morals,” whereas I used their attacks as motivation to improve myself so much that it leaves them astounded. I sincerely respect them and would never do anything violent no matter how much they push. So I just look at it this way now: “What you think about me is none of my business.” Even though they continue their assaults, I continue to improve emotionally and spiritually, gaining wisdom, courage, compassion, confidence, and composure as a result.
A Message to Fellow Advocates
So I say this to those who are experiencing attacks—do not give up on your Climate Justice Advocacy, but do your best to improve yourself as a way to show them that you use their attacks as motivation to improve. I know many feel sorry or pity them, but I really think Mother Nature will bring them around in time as she shows just how severe our shared Climate and Ecological (Green) Emergency is.
Looking Ahead
Where do I go from here? I desire to become at least a unique type of expert on the topic of Adaptive Resiliency, as I created a space that deals with this and some of what I have written about it in the past. I am even initiating a collaborative platform within this space for others to be part of the creation of an Adaptive Resiliency Knowledgebase that can serve as a tool in transforming our community into a Climate and Ecological (Green) Emergency Adaptive Resiliency Control Center.
On the topic of my company showing up as a supporter, contributor, or any mention of support for other organizations—or a lack thereof—I simply do not know how. I tried to connect with one organization and was told I was too small and had no financial standing. I think in the future this will change, and I will hopefully be able to choose which organizations I want to align our efforts with.
I have also faced discouragement by some in the climate advocacy world, as many are amazingly focused and sincere, leading one to want to support and model themselves after—such as Bill McKibben, Michael E. Mann, Al Gore, and many others. I say this because I have attended smaller climate meetings both online and in person, and to my surprise, on two occasions there appeared to be an air of superiority and arrogance about climate information one knew or was knowledgeable about.
I will tell you without holding back that arrogance, showboating, comparing climate knowledge, or looking down on others for lack thereof is not how we will tackle these emergencies. It takes sincerity, kindness, a willingness to work together despite differences, compassion, and most of all, doing our best to empathize with others’ plights.
A Call for Ethical Action
On the flip side of these last two paragraphs, please note that I strongly disagree with giving blatant climate deniers and anti-science individuals airtime or attention in the media, as we have been recently witnessing. This would be like car companies continuing to manufacture gas-powered cars instead of electric cars on our journey to a net-zero world. I used this analogy by design, as both should end as soon as possible. That includes us understanding that anyone who says they want to transition to renewable energy by 2050 or 2100 falls under denialism in my book.
Lastly, as soon as I finish creating the new idea I mentioned, I will blog it here, and I will do my best to expedite my own involvement in this and participation with other organizations. I think that about covers it, as I try not to be too wordy at times, and my sentiments and passion get the best of me.
Gratitude and Appreciation
I want to offer appreciation to the late Daisaku Ikeda with his yearly Peace Proposals to the United Nations, Al Gore and the Climate Reality Project, Bill McKibben, 350.org and Third Act, Naomi Klein, Author, Margaret Klein Salamon of the Climate Mobilization (the group I march with most of the time) and Climate Awakening, Greta Thunberg of Friday for Future a climate powerhouse creation, Extinction Rebellion, ACCO (Climate Change Professional Officer group), and the group over at the Earth Charter. There are so many other individuals and organizations it would require several pages. They have been very instrumental in my climate knowledge growth and emotional intelligence, so to speak.
In Conclusion
I consider myself still a novice due to lack of experiential skills, but I make up for it with the level of passion I possess for this issue. As the saying goes, “A small pebble can create a ripple in a pond.” I hope to become that pebble in the vast ocean of climate advocacy.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Together, we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
cCc
“In the face of impossible odds, the only true failure is giving up.” — Anonymous
