Thread by @JacquelynGill

The entire world is telling us, each and every day, that the biggest problems we face have individual solutions, from masks to carbon footprints. And of course it feels overwhelming, because none of us is capable of fixing the world. Of course it feels like too much: it is.

I keep thinking about this (I think Tumblr?) post about Katniss Everdeen, and how an entire generation took the wrong message from the Hunger Games, because in the books, it's clear that real change came from collective organizing, but we focus on this one lone heroine.

You can see this with so many problems, even in the climate movement -- the focus is often on the tortured individual who really gets it, the beleaguered climate scientist or activist -- and we rarely hear about the less glamorous work of organizing or even mutual aid.

There's a reason the fossil fuel industry bought into the idea of carbon footprints -- by focusing on what your'e doing, you're not focusing on what they're doing. This doesn't mean individual actions don't matter -- it's just the wrong framework. It's a distraction.

Marching, voting, lifestyle changes, etc. are not, and have never been about individuals. The utility of an individual action is in the greater whole it contributes to ("what is an ocean but a multitude of drops?").

So if it feels like climate change is too much any one person to solve alone: you're right! It is. And let this be the year you realize that, and stop beating yourself up for not being enough.

I am gently and warmly inviting you to evaluate your response to the enormity -- the global, existential, massiveness -- of climate change. Instead of, "this is too big, I can't do this," try, "this is so big, we will do this together."

Instead of, "climate change is a structural problem, so my actions don't matter," try, "climate change is a structural problem, so our actions matter." And then find a community of people who are doing the work in the ways that speak to you, and pitch in. Because you are needed.

Let this new year be the year you find your climate community. You don't even have to start from scratch: there are local chapters of national or international climate organizations that would love to have you. And if there isn't, get folks together and start one.

You ARE enough for this task, just as you are right now. You are needed, and you are welcome. Please take good care of yourself, because we need you healthy and well so we do this work together. We're right here beside you. Are you ready?

Let's get organized.

Here are some organizations that I like -- I'm sure there are a ton more, and I'd love to hear about your favorites. My list will be US-focused because that's where I am and what I know best. But please, share more!

For on-the-ground youth-driven activism that has the ear of the Biden administration (and has directly influenced US climate policy) I'm a huge fan of @sunrisemvmt. There are many regional chapters, too.

Another excellent and effective youth-led climate movement is @ThisIsZeroHour, which is explicitly designed to be an entry point for youth activists and adults who support them.

@citizensclimate is well-established group with 500+ local US chapters, and their sole purpose is to lobby Congress for bipartisan climate policies. They provide training and tools to help you do this kind of work locally.

Do you speak multiple languages? @ClimateCardinal is an international, youth-led non-profit with thousands of volunteers, focused on translating and sourcing climate information to other languages, so that everyone has access to climate education.

@CJAOurPower is an alliance of front-line communities working on real-world, just transition projects that center traditional ecological and cultural knowledge. They're a great organization to support, especially if you've got dollars but not time.

Interested in striking but not sure how to start? Check out @Fridays4future, which not only organizes global climate strikes, but provides you will the tools and training for highly effective organizing. fridaysforfuture.org

Are you a mom who cares about climate change? Check out @joinsciencemoms, a non-partisan group of climate scientists and mothers. Their mission is to help moms who are concerned about climate change, but don't know where to start.

You could have a climate job: check out @Climatebase and @climatecareers for examples. From graphic design to copyediting to engineering to law, fighting climate change can be a vocation. Maybe it's yours.

Did you know that environmentalists have some of the lowest voter turnouts? @Enviro_Voter is working to change that. This and other GOTV efforts can make a real difference -- we can't have effective climate policy unless we elect people willing to fight for it.

If you're busy or overwhelmed, check out @soapboxproject_, which breaks climate issues into bite-sized chunks -- learn, do, reflect, each month. soapboxproject.org

I mostly focused here on groups you can join, but there are others doing amazing work like @ClimSciDefense, @NCSE, @UCSUSA, @HipHopCaucus, @USUClimateAdapt, @YaleClimateComm, @ClimateOutreach, @ClimateFdbk, @USANPN, or @OutdoorAfro.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the folks who have influenced my thinking about climate action, and whose influences are woven into this thread, especially @aaronhuertas, @MaryHeglar, @amywestervelt, @TricksyRaccoon, @luckytran, @EJinAction, and @arguedasortiz.