Sometimes it seems that even shocking existential problems are becoming scarily familiar, while radical, exciting solutions seem banal or utopian. How can unexpected framings inspire masses of people to say YES! to the change we need? We are inviting funders to get together and deeper – in a joyful way!
In June, the Funders for Sustainable Living Network considered unexpected framings, including luxurious approaches to collective services, and joyful invitations to engage in climate action. And we created an invitation for all funders – beyond this network – to join us for three sessions of adventurous exploration together!
Luxury for All
Luxury often sparks thoughts of private ownership, but Global Action Plan’s new Luxury for All campaign reframes good public services (such as transport) as being luxurious for everyone – even those who can afford not to use them.
For some people, “luxury” means having something others do not have. Being exclusive. This is what we should work on: change the framing so that “luxury” is for all.
(Quote from workshop participant)
There is a growing international movement promoting Universal Basic Services (UBS), and their potential contribution to just climate transition. Natasha Parker, Head of Global Action Plan’s Post-Consumerism movement, explained how flipping the concept of luxury might help this movement to change the narrative around UBS, raise ambition and get people excited about the potential for amazing collective services that replace private ownership.
Luxury for a good life, rather than luxurious goods.
What makes life better? “Luxury homes” might be a reframe of social housing that is affordable, sustainable, low electricity bills, well insulated homes, abundant green spaces, community life – in other words, designed for a good lifestyle for everyone rather than as a luxury possession.
Luxury neighbourhoods could mean clean air, freedom for kids to play, low cost of public transportation, easy connection with friends, and neighbours, not being stuck in traffic– and reclaiming our streets for a luxurious level of wellbeing. And public service roles could be reframed – together with better pay and status – as luxury jobs that give us meaning in life, bring security and care to our societies, and luxurious social goods such as free childcare and elderly care.
Living in a city where public transport works: that is luxury – and in those places, fewer people aspire to having a car. How do we bring this framing in, in an embodied experience?
(Quote from workshop participant)
In recent years, wellness has been commodified and framed as gym membership and expensive smoothies – but collective access to green spaces, swimming pools, parks and social spaces could create luxury wellness for the whole society.
The aim of the project is to embolden political decision-makers to be more ambitious for universal public services, and to re-frame them as aspirational and popular: a potentially vote-winning manifesto pledge.
Natasha extended an open invitation to the Luxury for All experience in London on 19th October. It will be an immersive and creative experience to help us re-imagine how public services can form the foundations of a sustainable future with better living standards for everyone.
No Polar Bears
The Week is a group experience to engage “the broad middle” – the millions of people (60-70% of the population) aware of climate change but who haven’t yet rolled up their sleeves – to nudge us closer to a social tipping point and mass public action.
Frederick Laloux describes The Week as “reaching those who would never watch a climate documentary on Netflix” as well as giving space to re-energise and mobilise to those who know about climate change but have lost hope or momentum.
Unexpectedly joyful
During The Week, small groups of friends, neighbours, congregations, or colleagues come together three times; each time they watch a one-hour documentary, followed by about half an hour of discussion. This allows a space for emotional processing of the challenging issues brought out through the films. With a 24-hour break in between, to allow personal reflection between group conversations, the week takes participants on a deep journey:
Day 1: we face the hard reality of our current situation.
Day 2: we make sense of it all, deconstruct old narratives and think about new narratives.
Day 3: Moving to action, people come back with new energies and ideas for collective change.
By moving through this guided process, groups tend to emerge with unexpected joy, hope and collective courage – despite their deepened understanding of the existential crises we face.
Kate Power convenes Funders for Sustainable Living, an open network promoting ambitious action for radically equitable and sustainable ways of living. It sounds depressing, but it’s actually a lot of friendship and fun!
If you are a funder curious about the connections between equality, ecology and society, feel welcome to join a future workshop: f4sl@hotorcool.org
