The Climate Reality Project

Back in January, I received an email from The Climate Reality Project confirming that I was accepted to The Climate Reality Training in Las Vegas.

You can imagine my reaction... I was so excited and knew that this event was going to change my life. Attendees from all over the world set up a Facebook group and we were all getting excited to meet each other and to start a new chapter of our lives.

But then, COVID.

I was frantically watching the news as the number of cases grew. Five days before the training, I received an email that the event was cancelled. I was disapointed but also very grateful that The Climate Reality Project decided not to risk anyone's health. I can only imagine it was a tough decision to make, especially with the upcoming presidential election upon which the future of the US (and potentially of the entire world) depends. On November 4, a day after the presidential election, the US will formally withdraw from the Paris agreement on constraining global warming. That could have devastating consequences for the entire world because the climate crisis is not going to go away. If anything, it is going to get much worse and we need good leaders who will build a better world post COVID and secure a safer, healthier and resilient future for all.

Thankfully, the team at The Climate Reality Project adapted to the situation and created an online global Climate Reality training, the biggest event to date.

In 9 days of live training led by former US Vice President Al Gore, more than 10,000 attendees learned about the climate crisis and its devastating consequences that are happening all over the world. We also learned about racial injustice and how closely it is intertwined with the environmental injustice (you can read more on that here). And finally, we learned about the solutions that we already have (!) to solve the climate crisis.

I won't lie — listening to Al Gore explaining climate change and watching videos of devastating huricanes, floods, droughts, bushfires, and landslides was overwhelming to say the least. But it was also very eye-opening. When you connect all the locations where the extreme weather events happened, you quickly realise that climate change is happening everywhere. The sooner we realise it, the better.

Because just as with the pandemic, we won't be able to solve the climate crisis unless we work together, as a global tribe.

The best part about the Climate Reality Training is that you get to meet so many great people who are dedicating their free time to raising awareness about climate change, educating their communities, and working on countless amazing projects that are making the world better. It's so inspiring and motivating to hear their stories. Meeting them, even if just virtually, made me feel optimistic and hopeful about the future.

After 9 days of intense training, I officially became a Climate Reality Leader. I am so incredibly proud and honoured to be a part of The Climate Reality Project, a global network of people committed to raising awareness about the urgency of the climate crisis and contributing to the vision of the world with a sustainable, resilient and healthier future for all.

I am ready to #LeadOnClimate.

You in?