BE THE CHANGE

‘What can I do?’ How can each of us act when the system is so powerful, and the powerful who control it will do anything to maintain the status quo? Historian and all round genius Yuval Noah Harari has a simple answer: join a movement, or start a movement.

Few of us have the skill, time, or resources to start a movement. But we can join one. Without even leaving the comfort of our armchair activism, we can support those organisations that are already doing the environmental and social justice work. They have the momentum, networks, skills, and theories of change in place. We can help them do the work for us.

Now, as never before, is the time for a can-do attitude. We don’t have any other option.

‘What can I do to change the system?’ Asked 8 billion people.

The story about the activist in this photograph will be published here soon. Her name is Isabelle Joubert. A few days before this protest, she spent her 25th birthday in an oncology ward, having chemo shunted into her body through a port in her chest. She felt so horrendous on the day of the protest that she didn’t think she’d make it. But she turned up. I’ll tell you why.

Teaser: she didn’t do it to show how virtuous she is, or to punish herself in some way. She did it because she needed to be with her people, her tribe, during this moment of suffering. That’s how we will all endure the coming hardships, as we show the world that business-as-usually can no longer continue: in community, working together and caring for one another.

Photograph: Rodger Bosch