Nature Care Challenge | October 2020: Get Political

Ugh! I had a technical fail and never realized this Post didn’t upload when I told it to, just before hastily closing my laptop. So this one is a little belated. But on the plus side, now I can add pictures of my latest protest adventures during a pandemic.

Times are crazy and the destruction of nature and the climate crisis are continuously advancing. Even during the pandemic. The pandemic has actually caused several nations’ leaders to roll back local environmental protection laws, claiming it necessary in order to “save the economy” after lock down.

The pandemic has slowed us down. Which can be pleasant in many life categories but we do not have enough time to sit idle for who knows how long, while climate change and destruction of the last natural habitats continue to advance.

It is now high time to get politically active in favour of nature. Because nature is beautiful, home, mental stability, food, flood protection, weather protection, disease control and so much more. Ebola would probably not have happened if we hadn’t encroached on natural habitat and gotten too close to the animals living there. Corona most likely would not have happened, had we just left the natural world be natural. Not enjoying this pandemic? Become politically active to prevent the next one and protect the natural world at the same time!

This month I challenge you to join a protest, start a campaign and use whatever position and power you have to make political change. In your country, at your workplace, at your school, wherever you can influence other people and change the way we and even more importantly big business and politicians are treating the environment.

You can joint an environmental movement in your area or through the internet. You can also start your very own campaign. If you have a good idea for a campaign, or want to come up with one, have a look at this very inspiring post by the famous activist Rob Greenfield on DIY activism for some helpful pointers.

Because we are in a pandemic and we believe in science, make sure to adhere to corona safety measures while becoming politically active. It would be pretty stupid to campaign for a healthier planet while simultaneously acting as a super-spreader. For everyone’s safety, as well as for your campaigns’ portrayal in the public media.

Based on what we know to date you should:

• Wear a reusable, plastic free face mask, when you are in any public space. My mother sewed an array of beautiful cloth masks for me. They are easier to breathe through if you are on the streets all day long and you can simply wash them before using them again.

• Keep a distance to people around you: if everyone stands with both arms outstretched, and no one it touching, you’re good. If you are not moving, use chalk to mark circles on the ground that help people remember the safe distance.

• Have someone walking around with hand sanitizer, or bring your own. Also have everyone feel responsible to remind others of safety measures.
• If you are protesting peacefully and have contact with police, try to negotiate with them to be escorted instead of carried or pushed or having other forms of unnecessary physical contact with officers. Also note that some officers may use corona regulations as a very versatile excuse to break up the protest. Demonstrating extremely responsible behaviour can help.
• Be active online! Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion started quite a few digital protests using hashtag trends, friendly deep fake videos and other cool possibilities of the www. Reach many people without risk of infection.

Finally, always remember to be kind. You can be angry and upset but never ever be hateful or blame and shame people who you want to get to join your movement. You will not gain a constructive following with hatefulness.

** all photos in this post were taken by photographers for Extinction Rebellion, not me.