Hope v Determination - Part 2

Ride The Change ‘22

At the beginning of last month, I took part in a 259 mile cycle trip from Wales to Westminster over four days, Ride The Change ‘22. It was the second Ride The Change aimed at raising the issue of the climate crisis, inspiring people to take action in their personal lives, encouraging people to talk about the issue and maintaining momentum towards the seismic change we need to avoid the worst effects of climate change. 

Practical Action, In Action

As it did last year, the ride has had direct impact with nearly 1500 pledges made (so far) by supporters, which convert to a CO2 saving of c. 120 tonnes, the equivalent of more than 5000 car trips from Swansea to London. More importantly, the feedback from people who have supported the two rides suggests that it gets people talking about practical action, change and that the things they pledge to do, like leaving the car at home more often, taking the train more or eating less meat become habitats. So many things that help in the fight against climate change are easy to do, can save money, are good for us and can even be enjoyable. Personally, I really enjoy travelling by train rather than flying; for a start, trains stay on firmly on the ground! 

Is Hope Overrated?

Before taking part in Ride The Change ’22 I wrote an article about hope v determination and which is more important in the climate crisis. I still feel that hope is crucial and that people need to be inspired by visionary leadership and hope for a better future which is sustainable and fair. I approached COP27 with hope that with everything that has happened this year world leaders and people in positions of influence and power would finally be getting the message, so powerfully delivered by the UN Secretary, that we simply CANNOT stay on our current trajectory. Sadly, my hopes for COP were dashed. 

Putting It To People

Ride The Change has brought together a community of people who are passionate about climate action, all in some way involved with sustainability. It’s a group of like-minded people who are very supportive and agree on so many issues. It’s a chance to recharge the sustainability batteries and renew the hope that we can make change happen. We don’t always agree on everything and while there I took a quick poll on the hope v determination question and as with Adam Woodhall’s poll from Lawyers For Net Zero, an overwhelming majority of people felt that determination is more important than hope. One fellow rider said emphatically and instantly “determination - I’m way beyond hope”.  

Actions Must Drive The Agenda

Having had this debate a few times now, after four days on the ride, reading about COP27 and hearing Clover Hogan speak at the recent Seismic COP event, I’m coming firmly to terms with the idea that determination is needed in vast quantity over the rest of this critical decade, way more than hope. Hopefully we are going to see the leadership and vision we need from people, business and finance; we can’t give in to fatalism and clearly we can’t rely solely on political leaders to take action right now; they’ve demonstrated that at COP and over last few weeks. Our behaviour and actions are a vital part of the change needed and MUST drive the agenda. 

Determined To Effect Change

The last few weeks have made me more determined than ever to keep doing what I can do to be part of the transition towards a fairer sustainable future. And if you'd like to join me I have a couple of suggestions: 

1. If you took a pledge to support Ride the Change, please do carry it out and report back to Do Nation after 8 weeks so they can measure the impact. 

2. And if you'd like to see your organisation help its employees transition, speak to Do Nation. 

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2023.

Photo Credit - Hannah Bailey