Have you heard of the term “polycrisis?” A polycrisis is when several distinct (and often serious) problems are occurring simultaneously, and together these problems create a BIG problem.

Global climate change is one instance of a polycrisis.

There is no one trigger for climate change. No single switch we can flip to fix the issue. It is an intersection of several failing systems that no individual person or even an individual country can change on their own. We have known about this issue for decades and yet… It’s like watching a train wreck- if the train is headed straight for your house. We are all affected by this polycrisis.

What is an individual to do, then? We recycle, but to what end? If the issue is too big for any one of us, why engage at all?

If you’re receiving this newsletter, I know that you care about this planet and its inhabitants—human and nonhuman. You want to be a part of the team pushing for a healthier climate future. The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council would like to offer a new lifeline for climate-minded individuals.

Big Feelings, Warming World (BFWW) is a space to unravel the weight of Collective Grief. We are all experiencing the effects of climate change; NMEAC invites you to process these feelings with your neighbors. NMEAC will host the first iteration of BFWW on Monday, August 24th, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Capacity is limited to 13 people in order to allow for thoughtful conversation. Please register to join us.

REGISTER HERE

After you register, you will receive a welcome email with the location.

Who is leading the conversation?

Rachel is a board member with NMEAC and has recently earned her FLOW Facilitation Certification through the Good Grief Network. She has been holding her climate grief since childhood, when she learned that plastic does not decompose.

Kyla will be co-facilitating. She is a longtime NMEAC supporter and has a background in climate psychology.

What is a collective grieving space?

Collective grief is when a group feels the weight of grief resulting from the same event. A collective grieving space that you may be familiar with is a funeral. People come together to share stories and be in community with others experiencing the same weight of change.

The Climate Crisis is too big for any one of us to get our minds and hearts around individually. This offering is an opportunity to share with others how we are feeling about the changes we see, and to hold one another up emotionally so we can invest in meaningful effort.

If you are interested in this event, or other events of this kind, please register here.

Hope to see you on Monday!