For three days, July 30th through August 1st, activists from all over the world participated in the Climate Reality Leadership Training held in Chicago. Oak Park residents Mindy Agnew, Milton Clark, Mac Robinet, and Sally Stovall were 4 of the 1400 participants from all 50 US states and 70 countries that participated in the training at McCormick Place.
Former Vice President Al Gore, founder of the Climate Reality Project, spent one full day with the group reviewing the science of climate change and dramatic images of climate change from all over the world that have occurred in the last few years, in the form of extreme weather including record-breaking heat waves, flooding, drought, and wild fires, and the resulting human and economic costs. A sobering picture. BUT, we did not go away feeling discouraged and dispirited. On the contrary, we were encouraged and energized because we know that are things we can do to make a difference.
Jonah Sachs, one of the co-founders of Free Range Studios which produced videos like “The Story of Stuff,” “The Meatrix,” (a spoof on The Matrix), and “(Grocery) Store Wars,” (a spoof on Star Wars) also addressed the group. He talked about the power of stories to touch people and move them to action. Keep a look out for Sach’s new book is titled, Winning the Story Wars: Why Those Who Tell (and Live) the Best Stories Will Rule the Future. I know that the “sustainable, resilient communities story” is the story that I want to rule the future, and I think that OPRF is just the right community to be telling – and modeling that story!
Submitted by Sally Stovall
If you'd like to learn more about the training, visit these Related Links: http://climaterealityproject.org/
