The story of me, us and now
Owen Everett describes the opportunities we have
When I was younger I was conscious that my family were pretty odd. My parents didn’t drive, we recycled obsessively and we were vegetarian. I rebelled when I was ten by eating meat at school, because… well, I wanted to. I liked fitting in. But when I was sixteen I went to Junior Yearly Meeting and I was inspired by the discerning lifestyles of the other young Quakers I met. I left wanting to change things in my life and I realised that being vegetarian was right for me. I took ownership of my ethical choices and because it was my personal choice it was so much more powerful than just following my upbringing.
However, it wasn’t until going to university last year that I got involved in proper campaigning. I had been brought up with Quakerly values of peace, social justice and the environment, but seeing my peers taking direct action on these issues spoke to me: I hadn’t been doing enough. So I became an activist. The environment became my focus because the immensity of climate change makes it a problem that affects everything and everyone.
The most empowering thing I have ever done was setting up climate camp in the middle of Bishopsgate, in London’s financial heartland, at the G20 protests in Easter this year with thousands of like-minded people. The feeling of acting – perhaps illegally, but peacefully and convinced that it was the right thing to do – was truly amazing.
However, I have often felt overwhelmed. Why were there so few of us campaigning on this massive issue that no one could plead ignorance to? It was often stressful and disheartening. Then I got involved in organising an event called Power Shift. The UK followed the US, Australia and India in gathering normal young people from all backgrounds and from all around the country and exploring our personal stories: how we got to where we are; our personal reasons for being concerned about climate change. This technique, taken from Obama’s grassroots election campaign, was fantastic. It made climate change the universal issue that it is, putting it into perspective by linking it to our personal interests and concerns.
Climate change scares me so much. But I am hopeful, optimistic and excited, because my generation not only has the responsibility but the opportunity – unique in history – to build a better, sustainable world in the face of climate chaos; to provide security for ourselves and our children. We didn’t cause the problem. Many of us didn’t even elect the politicians who have done so little to drive the necessary radical change. So it’s down to us to show them how much we care. Environmentalists aren’t regressive hippies. We are visionaries, looking to a cleaner future. It’s about common sense. There are lots of things we can do. Help build the movement by telling people your story. Get involved with environment groups at your Local Meeting and in your local area (such as Friends of the Earth). Encourage young people who you know to get involved with People and Planet and the UK Youth Climate Coalition. Lobby locally, nationally and globally for the right change, through petitioning, direct action and creative campaigning. Act now!
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