theClimateers

Some initial, relatively raw thoughts of where I stand in the International Youth Climate Movement after COP-15, followed by a lil video of the head shave.

It is hard coming out of the bubble of COP-15. It is strange to not be surrounded by inspiring young activists 24/7 anymore. It is stranger to try to comprehend that Christmas is not about climate change, that friendships and school and the rest of the life I’ve been building in Berlin will still be there when I get back, and that they will not all be based around the international youth climate movement.

My understanding of time is also severely screwed up. My birthday, just 11 days ago, feels like at least a month ago, if not two. I cannot yet comprehend how I will manage time when I get back. I feel a time pressure that is perhaps even stronger than the pressure I felt during my 18-hour days in Copenhagen.

I worry I may not be as effective as I need to be while living in Berlin. In terms of my personal capacity and also the comparative potential (and need) for change, I think I’d be better suited continuing my work Stateside. I will need to do some serious reflection and strategizing on how to be more effective from Berlin.

In less than an hour, I’ve got to head down to central Copenhagen to catch my train back to Germany. I’m going to welcome the rails after the bumpy ride on the emotional rollercoaster that my time in Copenhagen turned out to be.

I go through stages of fright, in which I fear we won’t be able to make the changes we need to make in time. But then I also know we have the power and the passion to do it. And I swing back and forth, hitting all kinds of other highs and lows on the way.

But I am thankful for the opportunity to meet such committed people and to see their inspiring work. And on top of it all, these people are also just straight up awesome – even when you disregard their amazing work in the youth climate movement.

So that’s it, time to put the last pieces of stuff into my overpacked bags and get on my way. I leave with a cold head from the failure of COP-15, but with a warm heart from the relationships and new networks formed in the IYCM.