First, You Bring Them Cake (Christian Vanizette)

<p>There’s no shortage of volunteer opportunities or organizations offering them. But how often are the communities meant to benefit from all of this volunteer work determining what help is truly needed, and which issues are most pressing? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coconutsurfing/">Christian Vanizette</a> has spent the last decade building MakeSense, a global network of over 100,000 citizens and entrepreneurs committed to solving social and environmental issues where they live — bringing neighbors together to share solutions to address local challenges together. Baratunde met up with Christian in Paris to find out what it takes to move people from local volunteers to global activists, and to learn more about the creative, strategic, and <em>fun</em> tactics he’s bringing to the fight against climate change. </p> <p> </p> <p>SHOW ACTIONS</p> <p><strong>Internally Reflect - </strong><strong>Notice emotionally charged language &amp; stories</strong></p> <p>Reflect on how you FEEL when you hear the words climate change. What feelings come to mind? Why do you think that is? Have you heard or seen any alternative perspectives that convey the opposite of what you are feeling? Take a week to immerse yourself in the alternative perspective while withholding judgment - just observe and notice how it makes you feel. Be curious and open to the feelings. </p> <p><strong>Be Informed - </strong><strong>Learn from diverse voices</strong></p> <p>Watch some informative videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/climatetown">Climate Town</a>’s Youtube channel, and check out <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/14797/9780593237083">All We Can Save</a>—a book centering women and Indigenous voices—which uplifts and shows us how we can make a better future together. </p> <p><strong>Publicly Participate - </strong><strong>We ALL need to act</strong></p> <p>Join a local chapter of the <a href="https://citizensclimatelobby.org">Citizens Climate Lobby</a> and engage with a national, bipartisan group working on many important