Two hundred 16-25 year-olds crammed into a drama hall, three professional dancers, one choreographer, lots of nervous giggles and muffled excited chatter. I’m learning the moves for a flash dance to save the climate!
I’m at Powershift, a training and networking event for young people who want to do more about climate change, and we’re planning a flash dance in the shadow of the London Eye to kick start a new phase of inspiring youth action.
Just now we’re trying to perfect a kind of freestyle spin-around-and-wave section, as Daft Punk’s ‘Around the World’ mixes into the track, and no one’s quite got it. I know I’m supposed to spin on ‘around’ and gesture an imaginary globe on ‘the world’, but my arms just aren’t really listening to my brain just yet and I’m starting to regret moving to the side of the room for people who’ve danced before. Maybe my childhood dance lessons just don’t cut it anymore.
Alongside the smiles and laughter, there’s a more serious theme to the weekend too. With speakers from Stop Climate Chaos director Ashok Sinha, to the Guardian’s Deputy Editor Ian Katz, it’s been overwhelming at times revisiting all the very scary facts, theories and real life stories. We’ve talked about how strange a thing it is to be living at this point in time, when some people are already dying from the first effects of climate change whilst others still debate if it’s really a serious problem.
Despite the seriousness of the issue, and the reality of the threat to all of us, we’re powering through the weekend on a wave of hope and optimistic determination. We’ve talked a lot about the tiny, precious window of time we’re entered. Now we know not just the extent of the problem, but many of the solutions. In as little as five years, it may be too late to implement them. So it’s time to get moving. And like others in the room, I’ve found myself buzzing with excitement this weekend. Not just at the thought of London’s surprise on Monday morning when our dance goes live, but because I’ve been reminded just how many amazing, determined people are fighting for a fairer, safer future too.
The science might be complicated, the politics might be messy, but the bottom line is stupidly simple. The times are changing and we’ll all need to change with them. So here we are, dancing up a storm, with all the certainty in the world that now is the time for action.
Want to get more involved? Try one of our top 3 actions…
1. Be part of the Wave
London, 5 December. Be there. Be blue. Be part of the UK’s biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change. Register or book transport through Oxfam here.
2. Do the Here & Now Challenge
Make a stand. This November, join other young people taking 30 carbon-cutting actions in 30 days and show the world what climate action looks like. Request a pack and get support here.
3. Go Global
Get involved with the global movement by signing up at tcktcktck.org
Tags: action, Climate, climate change, flash dance, flash mob, powershift, UKYCC, Youth
