Between September 2017 and December 2024, I had the honour of working with climate advocates in over 80 countries as Director of Programs for Citizens' Climate International. These dedicated climate champions have long advocated for a fee on fossil fuel pollution with rebates to citizens, recognizing it as a policy that reduces income inequality. They admire Canada for having the compassion to implement such a policy, knowing it is supported by thousands of economists, including 28 Nobel Prize winners.
As I now focus on Canada, one song continues to resonate in my mind: the 1989 Tears for Fears anthem, "Sowing the Seeds of Love".
This song critiques the political and social issues of its time, particularly the rise of Reaganomics — trickle-down economics that promised prosperity but failed to benefit lower- and middle-income groups.
Nearly four decades later, as we face the turmoil of the Trump era and an escalating climate emergency, its message remains as urgent and relevant as ever. It is because of the tireless work of these climate champions that I remain filled with hope.
Global Advocacy Milestones: Local Action, Global Impacts
In 2017, I joined the Civil Society network (C7) within the G7, known as the C7. By 2022, I was selected as one of 65 women to serve as an adviser to the G7 Women’s Empowerment initiative (W7). Advocating for carbon pricing became central to my work within the W7.
Additionally, volunteers from Germany, the UK, Canada, the USA, France and Japan worked tirelessly behind the scenes to include carbon pricing in the official C7 communiqué to the G7 leaders. That year, 1,194 advocates from 80 countries sent letters to G7 leaders, urging them to take meaningful climate action.
Our collective effort paid off when, for the first time, carbon pricing was featured in a G7 Leaders' Communiqué. This achievement demonstrated that grassroots advocacy can influence global policy and drive meaningful climate action.
In 2023, climate leaders from over 30 countries in our network urged their executive directors at the World Bank to update its policies for a sustainable future. The World Bank’s long-standing motto “A World Free of Poverty” was expanded to include “On a Livable Planet.”
This change marked a crucial step toward aligning economic and environmental justice.
The Challenge of Disinformation: A Call for Truth and Unity
As I reflect on these accomplishments, I’m reminded of the persistent politics of greed. Today, Twitter and Facebook are rife with climate misinformation and emotional manipulation. These platforms have been weaponized by figures like Trump, whose focus on personal gain undermines the global climate movement.
During the Christmas season, Trump’s deranged messages dominated social media. In Canada, we should be aware of the term "quisling," referring to a traitor who collaborates with an enemy for personal gain.
This historical lesson underscores the importance of truth and solidarity in combating the climate crisis, the disinformation and foreign interference in our democracy that floods Twitter and Meta platforms.
Lessons Learned: Building Resilient Communities for the Future
Through my years of advocacy, I’ve learned three essential lessons:
- Organizing outside of social media fosters genuine connection.
True, lasting relationships are built through face-to-face interactions and real-world initiatives. If you must use social media, consider switching to Bluesky, where you control and own your feed, free from the risk of emotional manipulation by billionaires.
- Building community is the foundation of resilience.
Climate action is about people. The strength of any movement lies in the communities that form around it. When we unite around shared values, we create the solidarity needed to confront the climate crisis. That’s why on Jan. 19, we organized a rally in Sudbury to celebrate Canadian values.
- Following the truth, no matter how difficult, is the act of a good ancestor.
Truth can be uncomfortable because it requires us to confront our own potential mistakes, adjust our beliefs, and take accountability. It’s vital to seek news from accountable sources, such as reputable newspapers. Future generations are relying on us, now more than ever.
Sowing Seeds of Love: A Call to Action
As I focus on protecting Canada from escalating climate impacts and foreign interference in our democracy, these lessons guide my work. I am deeply grateful to the volunteers in the Citizens' Climate Network for patiently, persistently, and politely sowing the seeds of love over the past seven years. You are why I have so much hope.
The future may be uncertain, but by nurturing our communities, standing for truth, and connecting beyond emotional manipulation on social media by the billionaire class, we can cultivate a fairer, more just world. As the song reminds us, it’s time to “open your eyes” and work together to create a future based on the Canadian values of love, fairness, and compassion.
Cathy Orlando is a climate activist who lives in Greater Sudbury.