Iron Range Optimism
This Great Idea is bigger than a Great Idea: this is a state-, region-, industry-, nation-, and globe-changing kind of Great Idea.
‘Can a Coal Town Become a Climate Leader?’
That’s the question driving this one.
It’s the Great Idea a lot of folx have been articulating for a long time – but here it comes from Western Australian Michael Sheldrick [guest editor of Katharine Hayhoe’s Talking Climate post back in August (I’m obviously playing catch-up!)], who shares personal experience and specific positive outcomes.
Katharine introduces Mick with her own story of why she became a climate scientist – in short that, ‘we need to address climate change precisely because we also want to lift people out of poverty, end hunger, ensure safe housing and clean water, expand access to education and health care, and so much more.’
If anything on that list sounds like the mission of your congregation, please read on:
Michael Sheldrick, aka, ‘Mick’, is the co-founder of Global Citizen, ‘an International advocacy and education organization working to end extreme poverty worldwide’.
Mick shares the surprising news about Western Australia, ‘a mining powerhouse now seeking to position itself at the frontlines of the energy transition’, specifically working ‘to phase out coal without abandon gin workers or communities’.
The role of talking across divides, the role of building communities of trust, the role of industry leaders willing to shift gears, and the role of government are all outlined in Mick’s brief notes. They are well worth the read for folx in mining, farming, and/or flood risk – or anyone anywhere interested in climate solutions that stick.
Mick’s Good News is fantastic. Mick’s Not So Good News is deeply concerning.
Mick’s What You Can Do suggestions – coupled with the Good News – are essential reading for every congregational leader on the Range, the Prairies, even Up North (tourism is a key factor!).
Mick writes, ‘We often think climate action belongs on big stages… And yes, national governments do set important targets… But whether those targets succeed or fall apart often comes down to what happens at the community level, because that’s where policies are felt, tested, and either embraced or resisted.’ He then affirms that success in Western Australia, ‘was shaped through conversation and partnership between unlikely allies’.
On the Iron Range, ‘jobs’ are often the anti-climate care argument. But Mick reports that, ‘For years, tensions ran high between coal workers and environmental activists. Unions fought to protect jobs. Activists protested outside power stations. Both sides saw the other as part of the problem.’
But once they got to talking, ‘to their surprise… they found common ground. The workers weren’t anti-climate. They just didn’t want to leave their hometowns to find work.
Instead of arguing, they started co-creating solutions.’
Who are the ‘unlikely allies’ in your community – who share a commitment to climate care, but who have different, maybe even competing ideas of how to move forward?
How might The Ministry Lab work with you to bring individuals and groups together for healing, inspiring, hope-filled conversations?
- Courageous Spaces and/or Graceful Conversations empower congregational leaders to guide reconciling conversations.
- Bring in a consultant to facilitate the Community Discovery Package, to expand community awareness and engage with potential community partners – matching needs and dreams with local assets. Learn more about Consultations here.
- Discover new local and regional partners with The Web, to expand community empowerment and amplify local voices.
Start with a simple email to Emily, and we’ll find exciting, life-giving options to fit your community!!
