Think Global, Act Local with Billie Eilish

When I sat down with Billie Eilish, we discussed our shared commitment to being part of climate solutions. From renewable energy to electrifying transportation, to regenerative agriculture and restoring ecosystems – there are so many solutions we have at our fingertips. From our expansive conversation, a few major themes emerged:

1. Each person has specific and powerful ways they can contribute. Scientists, artists, activists, teachers, students, executives, farmers, lawyers, trendsetters, web developers, etc., all have a role to play.
2. We need a cultural shift, and young people are leading the way. Raise your voice, live and vote your environmental values, and change the status quo for climate justice, sustainable fashion, and climate policy.
3. Being informed is key, but that’s not enough – we need action!

This is the question I get asked most often. Love that so many people are asking!

For years I just said, “I don’t know, what are you good at?” Because so often the climate movement asks everyone to do the same things (march, vote, donate, spread the word — and YES, do those things!), but fails to ask us to each bring our superpowers, our magic.

And then I added, “It’s not about what you can do, it’s about what we can do.” Find your crew, your climate squad. You can’t do this alone. Join a group, volunteer with an organization, team up.

And now, after many conversations with students who were really grappling with how they can be most useful, this is my current answer, a Venn diagram. Find the overlap of:

1. What are you good at?
2. What is the work that needs doing?
3. What brings you joy?

Find the epicenter of your Venn diagram and spend as many minutes there as possible. While this is the work of our lifetimes, there is really no reason it needs to be miserable – don’t leave out joy!