Changing The Climate Narrative
Why is changing the climate change narrative is important?
Climate change remains the biggest risk humans have faced. The environmental movement, until now, has failed.
A change in narrative on how we speak about climate change is necessary. It requires understanding science and media. Western science is not the only science. When media covers climate change it does so with voices who are distant from the worst effects of climate change.
Reboothing my life
I decided that it was time for me to rebooth my life. As a result, I left my local government job, my friends, the work I had fallen in love with. This was a hard decision. But in my gut, I knew I had to do it. So I left everything and started to travel.
For nearly half a year I met people all across America Latina. I visited Brasil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.
I fell off a bike, got sick, swam with dolphins, escaped dangerous situations, and even started a youtube travel channel.
I finished learning Portuguese, explored the Andes altiplano, worked as a cook at a restaurant in my hometown, learned to dance salsa, and played an insane amount of futbol.
The joy and love that each individual gave me as I visited each of their barrios were so unique, the language, the food, and their way of living.
I was in community with those same people that my colleagues would refer to as ‘climate front line communities’. And although I am not currently living with them, they are who I am accountable to.
Once back in the U.S., the first thing that always strikes me is the language. This is closely followed by the media and marketing campaigns.
To me, it feels like you cannot escape it. The media is almost ingrained into the culture. I believe it is dangerous when media reports on topics that they themselves have not experienced. There is a fundamental difference between living in a place, and visiting it.
Alfredo Gonzalez Valenzuela
In the first episode of the Climate Front Line podcast, you will hear a bit about me and my family. You will learn about my personal motivations to shift the climate change narrative.
Language is the first weapon drawn in a conflict. It is also a tool to build trust and communicate. This is why I choose to use my full name, rather than adapt to the dominant or ‘normal’.
My family is connected, resilient, group of people. I am originally from Cusco, Peru. What has been most consistent in my life is making a difference for youth. I am an environmental justice leader, youth advocate, and facilitator.
What does it take to change the climate narrative?
Subscribe to my podcast were we seek to do just that. We make space for those who are closest to the front line.
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