EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED, BUT ALSO NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
The world’s troubles already felt overwhelming enough - then came 6th November. The vast challenges we faced on the 5th now feel even bigger.
As a movement, we want to respond to this new reality by saying - we stand together. We send love to all beings on our earth, to all those who are worried at this time.
To our wonderful, caring, loving community; to our participants, supporters, Ambassadors, funders, collaborators and friends today, we are here with tenderness, solidarity and a listening ear - whatever it is you need. We want you all to feel held in our shared purpose. No-one should feel they are facing this alone. The burden is shared and always will be.
And through the sadness and fear, flickers of inspiration keep on catching our attention:
Firstly, we remain committed to working towards the science-based goals set out in the research underpinning Take the Jump. Because everything has changed, but also nothing has changed. Because the future isn't a choice between binary options; complete catastrophe or complete success. Because every increment of improvement we can create will help mitigate the harm. Because now more than ever it is vital that some part of society is honest about the outcomes we need and is joyously working towards them. Because we can’t and won’t give up on our beautiful earth and all the glorious life upon it.
Second, maybe this is our moment after all. Our time, as people of this beautiful earth, to come together and take irresistible collective action. It is clear the change we need won’t come from the top, but from millions of people around the world who are committed to a brighter future for people and planet. Our aim of offering hope, community and a rallying point to those who care is more important than ever. The systems we have delegated our power to are beyond broken. But when we get together in friendship, shared purpose, we start the work of repair and healing, in that moment.
But finally, and at the same time, we accept the scale of the challenge we now face in this new world. In every connection, every project, every repair cafe, zoom call, fashion swap - in all the vibrant ways we connect and create, there is power and possibility. Ultimately there’s more going on here than just quantified emissions cuts. The quality of our connections, the fun and care we take in our work together… this is the secret magic of our movement and where its real potential lies. To see a candle’s light you have to take it into the dark.
If we feel low on hope, then do hopeful things! When faced with huge obstacles, it’s hard to know what the material outcome of our efforts will be. But at times like these, when the pressures feel immense, let’s give ourselves permission to do the work anyway - for each other, for our precious shared home and all its inhabitants, and just for the joy of it. And, when we let go of the need to fix seemingly impossible challenges and simply surrender to the process, who knows what we can achieve? There’s everything to be gained from persevering, and it’s never felt more worthwhile. The work goes on and even in this difficult moment, there’s a light that stubbornly refuses to go out. Let’s hold that and see where it takes us.
Love and solidarity today and always,
TTJ
