Life is about constant development right? I’ve always been focused on spotting opportunities and openings, especially those that help create equity and seem to be created with the desire to bring in a variety of perspectives.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been taking part in a global course - this is not unusual as it’s something I like to do. I am very much pro MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) as I think they can give you access to ideas and are low cost and can be about anything - I’ve studied environmental courses this way, conflict approaches and even digital anthropology.
I keep thinking about this intersection between nature, technology and conflict resolution. I keep talking about it in order to manifest a path and figure out how to be involved. I am brilliant at telling stories but making waves in new directions when you are starting over isn’t easy.
But recently I was among what seemed like well over 1000 people taking part in an online course run by Tech Change entitled Global Health, Climate Change, and Technology: An Intersectional Approach.
So it seemed like this could be a great thing to try. It was a free course thanks to funding and it involved webinars, exposure to experts, networking and also active learning. As a freelancer, it felt like this was a no-brainer.
The course began with the basics about climate change and also decoded the language and key stakeholders from WHO to the UN to the Conference of the Parties but also introduced concepts and tools such as the Global Stocktake and the importance of bridging knowledge gaps. With health, it was about understanding that health is linked to everything that is happening with climate change. Air pollution has significant consequences, food security is an issue that’s already hitting close to home while mental health (already a specialist topic of mine) is not immune to the effects of climate change. Within the tech sphere, there’s the idea of fragmentation and interoperability - where we learned how it’s important for there to be connection, data sharing and also conversation.
Every week there would be live sessions and also the opportunity to meet with other global colleagues. It was a chance to find out what projects are happening around the world right now and also be super solutions-orientated. We looked at how to use health data and also understood the variety of careers that were available in this field - some of the job titles I’d never heard of before at all. The role of adaptation was explored too - we’re in a world of vulnerabilities - so what are realistic solutions that can take place? Climate resilience needs to be looked at holistically and health forms a significant part of that. As someone who has a background in verification, it was a relief to hear about transparency being key as well as community empowerment.
I was in two minds about signing up for a health course but I’m glad I did. It brought home how we need an intersectional approach and the path I’m following, while still not fully clear yet, is something valuable.
A few years ago I was lucky to write about my dream topic of wolves and wolfdogs, and as part of that I got to walk with two beautiful creatures named Spirit and Wolf. I went to Colorado and fulfilled a dream and got to write about an environmental story too while in an amazing role. Heartbroken to hear Spirit, who gave me a wolf kiss and made me feel brave, has died.
America had been a space where I wanted to push my hardest. And the team I was working with were amazing and I made brilliant friends. Back in the UK I was going through a horrendous bullying situation that eventually led, upon my return to me disembarking a journey I'd been on for years and having to figure out how to start over. It took some time to recalibrate. But I have this picture printed out and framed and for me it’s a sign that bravery comes in many forms, as does inclusion. If a wolfdog (so close to a wolf) can be inclusive and welcoming, so can everyone else.
For more on Spirit https://www.coloradowolfadventures.com/meet-the-wolves/
But it’s interesting how a small unexpected moment can completely change your life and lead you on to other paths. Is it the result of the …