This episode originally aired in the very first month of Sustainable in the Suburbs. I’m revisiting it now because this idea remains one of the clearest ways to find your place in climate action — and sometimes returning to the foundation is exactly what helps us feel re-energized.
Climate change feels HUGE — and it is. The problem is urgent and complex. And when you start looking for solutions, it can seem like there’s an endless list of things you should be doing. All of them are important, and that can feel completely overwhelming.
But meaningful climate action doesn’t happen because one person does everything. It happens when many people each find their place — in their homes, their neighbourhoods, and their communities.
In this episode, I’m sharing a simple framework I often come back to refocus my efforts: the Climate Action Venn Diagram from Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. We’ll talk about how your skills, your joys, and the needs of the world can come together to help you find your own personal starting point — one that feels meaningful, realistic, and sustainable for the long haul.
Takeaways
One Small Shift
Download a copy of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s Climate Venn Diagram worksheet, grab a pencil, and just see what comes up. You might be surprised by how much clarity this one little exercise can bring.
Resources
How to Start Living Sustainably: A Simple Framework for Climate Action
How to Find Joy in Climate Action (TED Talk)
What If We Get It Right? (website)
All We Can Save - Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katharine K. Wilkinson (book)
What If We Get It Right - Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book)
Related Epiosdes
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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio
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