From Climate Camp to Summer Gathering: Join Me This July
I was recently interviewed by the Goodenough Community about my work and approach to climate resilience - they're hosting a summer gathering (Resilience, Resistance & Regeneration) which I’m co-facilitating this July. I thought you might enjoy reading their take on my journey from Regional Director at Citizens' Climate Lobby to creating resilience programming for climate advocates. It's always interesting to see how others perceive and describe the work we do, and this piece captures something we’re passionate about at Lighter Side of Climate: how play, joy, and authentic connection can actually strengthen our climate activism rather than distract from it.
I'm really looking forward to this gathering - it feels like a deeper, week-long version of our Climate Camp, exploring resilience and community building with a whole new group of people. If you are drawn to join me there, I'd love to have some familiar faces in the mix, and welcome you into the Good Enough Community, as well!
I hope you find the interview as thoughtful as I did!
And thank you, Shani Fox, Sharon Grant, and Laura Sweeney, for taking the time to interview, compose and edit this piece.
-Tamara
How do you avoid burnout when you’re passionate about solving the greatest issues of our time?
As the former regional director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), Tamara Staton had to face this question. Her CCL volunteer advocates were taking powerful action in the world, but she noticed the emotional toll this action was taking on them. And CCL itself, while great at educating and providing focused action to support these advocates, didn’t offer them tools for emotional resilience.
Tamara at Smith Rock in Central Oregon
Having a background in coaching, Tamara knew that without the ability to ground and renew themselves as they worked, these volunteers would leave CCL. CCL would be weakened, but just as importantly, these burnt-out volunteers would lose the chance to be who they wanted to be in this world, fighting for the cause they believed in. So she created a role for herself as Resilience Coordinator at CCL.
Tamara’s approach to resilience training is comprehensive, but includes an element that may come as a surprise: play. “Staying in the unending struggle isn’t just about persistence,” she says. “So many things put us into fight or flight mode that over time, our nervous systems get trained to be reactive. Tapping into our sense of playfulness is so natural - it’s part of our human design. Many think there’s not room for joy and play in climate activism - it’s not a laughing matter. But our natural joy, channeled into play, can widen our tolerance for the struggle.”
Another high value on Tamara’s list - and one that aligns her beautifully with the Goodenough Community - is interpersonal connection. “Growing up, I felt a deep sense of love and connection to my mom,” she says. “That authentic connection lets us be our best selves. We feel safe, calm, curious and relaxed, and we’re better able to connect with others. When we feel closely connected with others, there’s a sense that we’re in the struggle together. We buoy each other up.”
Tamara is excited about coming to our Summer Gathering to find out what feeds us as a community, and to experience it as well. “I can’t wait to help weave new patterns of opportunities for your community of learners and beloved friends.”
Learn more about Tamara here (www.lightersideofclimate.com), and click here to join us in learning live from Tamara (and Lux) at our Summer Gathering this July!
- Originally published by the Goodenough Community
