356 | Climate Despair Sucks: How to Find Purpose in the Chaos with Paul Zelizer

Paul Zelizer is the host of the Awarepreneurs Podcast, one of the world’s longest running social entrepreneur podcasts, and has been a Business Coach for social entrepreneurs and climate tech startups for over 17 years.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Climate Despair Sucks Solo Episode: Transcript with Paul Zelizer

NOTE: While it’s not perfect, we offer this transcript and the below summaries by Castmagic for those who are hearing impaired or who don’t find listening to a podcast enjoyable or possible.

You can read the full transcript of this episode here

Key Topics in Climate Despair Sucks Solo Episode

Introduction

  • Welcome and purpose of the Awarepreneurs podcast

  • Request for subscribers and reviews

  • Introduction of the host and episode topic

State of Climate Despair

  • Emails and in-person discussions on climate despair

  • Contextual significance: January 20th (Donald Trump's return and Martin Luther King Day)

Identifying the Groups Experiencing Climate Despair

  • Young People

    • Hopelessness regarding climate crises

    • Struggles with career and educational focus

  • Parents of Young People

    • Emotional struggles hearing their children's despair

    • Rattled by the anticipated future

  • Midlife Professionals

    • Professional success versus environmental concerns

    • Internal and external struggles

Helpful Mindset for Combatting Climate Despair

  • Quotation: "Even if I knew tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."

  • Importance of focusing on purpose and positive action

  • Process-driven living versus results-driven thinking

Four Strategies for Positive Impact and Purpose

  1. Join or Create a Climate-Focused Community

    • Example of NM Climate

    • Importance of local and online forums

    • Contagion of positive leadership

  2. Align Your Work with Climate Positive Actions

    • Psychological impact of working in harmful industries

    • Encouragement to shift careers towards climate-positive roles

  3. Invest Your Money in Climate Positive Solutions

    • Impact of traditional investment on climate despair

    • Introduction of climate-positive investment options like Carbon Collective

  4. Adopt Sustainable Lifestyle Choices

    • Examples: diet, transportation, housing, etc.

    • Limitation of lifestyle changes without systemic support

    • Importance of larger structural changes

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to find inspiration in daily actions and community

  • Invitation to share resources and suggestions

  • Reminder to pitch episode ideas to Awarepreneurs

  • Thanking listeners and encouraging self-care in intense times

Paul Zelizer