My Activism is an Act of Love

Some people wonder why climate, why the wetland, why Gaza, why Fairy Creek's old growth trees, why the state of the world are all so important to me. Why do I feel so compelled to help? None of these things are an immediate threat to my well-being, and it takes so much energy to care.

While I don't live at the wetland, part of our drinking water comes from there, and that semi-wild place is one of my favourite parts of our community.

While I haven't lost my home to a climate-related disaster, we did get 18 inches of water in our basement last year during a big rain and ice storm (floods and tornadoes are becoming increasingly frequent in our region).

I have never been to Palestine or Fairy Creek. Yet, conflicts over oil, forests, land, and freshwater, the destruction of ecologically healthy landscapes, and the violation of human rights are not and will not only occur in "other faraway places."

I love our community's wetland and the beavers that live there. I love my home. I love wild places. My heart breaks for people who fear for their lives every day. And I am learning to truly value the safety and human rights I have taken for granted for much of my life.

I want to live in a world that prioritises life and care--for both human and more-than-human communities--beyond profit and power. So, I do what I do for the beavers. I do it for those who suffer at the hands of this system that benefits from genocide and ecocide. I do it for Mother Earth.

I know that the well-being of beavers, oppressed peoples, and Mother Earth is woven together with my own. I understand that what is being done to them is already or will eventually be done to me as well. For all of these reasons, I am doing my best to use what I have now to help create change. Writing, supporting people in healing, and connecting with the living world all emerge from my love for life.

Although I don't usually feel inspired or heartened when I call government representatives, write letters, attend protests, or organise meetings of concerned citizens, I'm learning that these actions are part of fostering resilient communities in times of enormous change. I am learning that taking response-ability is also an act of love... How many people really enjoy waking up in the middle of the night to tend to a loved one who is ill? Personally, I didn't find those times easy or enjoyable; however, it was in those quiet moments of caregiving that I had some of my most profound experiences of love and connection. Similarly, I am reminded that organising meetings of concerned citizens can also be an act of love.

In this spirit, I want to share with you a video of me singing to beavers at our wetland (turn up the volume) along with the texts I sent to our town and the Ontario Land Tribunal explaining my concerns about the proposed development beside that wetland (my statement, addendum 1, and addendum 2).

I hope that, as you consider the challenges near your home and in our world, you may find new ways to show up, to engage, to build community, and to express your love.