I aspire to be open to leadings and I aspire to let go of my attachment to the fruits of my labors. When I am centered, I recall that how I live each day is my responsibility, not whether my actions will make THE difference/ANY difference, concerning climate change. I would not call this optimism or pessimism. Sometimes I feel hopeful that we will create another way of being together; other times, I am not very hopeful. Then I do my small actions with fear and pain in my heart as I imagine a greatly diminished quality of living for the upcoming generations in future days.

Greg Craven, a science teacher who has written the most helpful book I know on climate change, advocates for “Rosie-ism” after Rosie the Riveter, to roll up one’s sleeves and get busy with neither optimism or pessimism. He also suggests several potentially helpful tactics in influencing others. I highly recommend his book (as does Bill McKibben, General Anthony Zinni, and others). What’s the Worst That Could Happen? A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate.