Why community is the key to climate action in the workplace

Humans are built to be together. The idea of communal living and working is deeply embedded in our DNA. Every bit of science shows that being around each other is better for us. And as we face the climate crisis head on, finding a community can be the first valuable – and most practical – step to taking action.

‍Feeling alone together

The most common thing we hear in our WorkforClimate workshops and courses is: “I felt like I was the only one who was feeling and thinking this. Now I know I’m not alone.” 

When you work in a corporate environment, it’s easy to feel like an outlier in caring about climate. Why? Business culture tells us short-term profitability trumps everything else. In a space that rewards productivity and views climate action as a threat to profits, no-one wants to be perceived as “idealistic” or “impractical” – so it’s no wonder we clam up and shut down.

“For a lot of people who feel and act strongly about the climate in their personal life, there can also be a sense that because climate action isn’t directly related to their role, it’s not their place to raise it,” says Cam Elliott, WorkforClimate’s Community Growth Lead. “Especially if there is a lack of confidence around details or a sense of needing to ‘be the expert’.” If no-one feels like they can start the conversation, no-one will.

‍Talking to each other is a revolutionary act

The thing is, business as usual has us on track for catastrophic levels of global heating. We need to find our people to create change. “The dominant system depends on us remaining isolated in order for it to perpetuate,” says Cam. “Our silence prevents us from realising we have shared concerns and interests, and from working together with other employees and external stakeholders to address them.” Connecting with people who share our challenges,  and then working together to achieve our common goals, is the only way real societal change has ever happened. The history of social activism is littered with the achievements of collective (not individual) actions.

It's a revolutionary act in our workplaces to have the courage to have a real conversation with someone about our climate concerns. But the data tells us that the majority of corporate employees want their companies to do more on climate. So, despite our hesitation, the chances are high that in starting this conversation you will find someone who wants to have it too. 

‍Why finding a community is a game changer 

Finding a community makes taking climate action easier. It’s something we hear time and time again from graduates of our Academy or learners in our Climate Leadership At Work workshops. Why? First, it is the antidote to feeling isolated or alone in your thoughts and feelings and can provide you with an immediate sense of belonging. “You also have moral support for your actions and ideas,” says Cam. “This is particularly helpful if you’re in it for the long haul and need to build the resilience to keep going in the face of resistance.”

And you can learn more, faster. “If you surround yourself with people experiencing the same challenges in the workplace, who might be a little bit further down the road in their journey, you can learn first hand from them about what has and hasn’t worked,” says Cam.  

‍Feeling stressed about the climate crisis and not sure what to do? You’re not alone. Join our FREE interactive, 1.5-hour workshop to learn how to become a climate leader at your job and find your community. 

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