How to make an impact? That is one of the most questions I get asked. Are you also eager to learn how you can make an impact that counts? Which will make our world a better place? Me too! Awesome, because I want to introduce you to the book ‘Right Here Right Now’ that will help with that: building a future you can look happily forward to.
In October 2022, I attended a book launch event by the inspiring and passionate Natalie Isaacs. Her newest and second book ‘Right Here Right Now’ is about how women can lead the way in the climate emergency. It could not have been better timing because at the time your answers from the survey Reimagine Sustainability were coming in.
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Let us return to the ‘Right Here Right Now‘. Firstly, I want to introduce you to the author Natalie Isaacs.
Introducing the wonderful author: Natalie Isaacs
Natalie Isaacs is the founder of 1 Million Women (1MW), a global movement platform for women and girls who want to act on the climate crisis. 1MW launched in 2009, and up to date, 1,012,506 women signed up to transform their lives – for the good of our people and the planet.
“My vision was to empower women everywhere to act on climate change through everything we do. Through the way we live, through every choice, we make and through using our voices and our vote.”
Natalie Isaacs, Founder of 1MW
The first time I noticed about Natalie when she came on stage was her wild, curly hair and warmhearted smile. Immediately, I felt that she gets things done with passion and love. My first impression got confirmed when she started presenting her second book ‘Right Here Right Now’; firm and caring, experienced and passionate, critical and understanding. For this reason, I was hooked till the end.
During her presentation, Natalie made it clear that lifestyle change is an inevitable part of tackling the climate crisis. Each day matters. Each decision, choice or action matters. Consequently, we need lots of them.
The beauty of Natalie’s global movement is that she is empowering women to act, giving them a voice, boosting their confidence and giving them the space they need to fill. Without women’s influence, our climate goals remain unachievable. How women can find their way to tackling the climate crisis is so well described in ‘Right Here Right Now’. Therefore, I want to give you a tiny, little taster without anticipating too much.
How women can lead the way in the climate emergency
Women are an underestimated and undervalued force in communication about potential solutions to the climate crisis. With ‘Right Here Right Now’, Natalie brilliantly validates the importance of women in climate-related decision-making. Moreover, women hold the potential and power to change the world for the better.
A woman has the powerful ability to be selfless, but still, so selffull what contributes to the well-being of people around her. Passion and compassion are what we increasingly need to solve the world’s challenges.
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While reading ‘Right Here Right Now’, something I have felt and thought about for a long time got confirmed: Women are the way to change the world. Equally important, I found myself in this book: my struggles, my fears, my hope, my passion and my urge to change the world.
If you have ever felt helpless and alone in the discourse of how the world is gradually on its path down, this book is for you. If you feel like your actions can not achieve any impact, this book is for you. If you need a nudge in the right direction, this book is for you. If you feel like you want to change anything, but do not know where to start, this book is for you.
Transform from a disengaged to an engaged citizen
Knowledge is power. Natalie points out that we need more women and men who turn their knowledge into action. Believe me or not, there is a lot of knowledge that waits for a transformation into the most praiseworthy ideas humanity has ever seen. For too long, women have deliberately been excluded from impactful decision-making processes, undermining the needs of half the Earth’s population.
Can you imagine what damage occurs when you exclude half the people from participating in matters which affect their whole lives? Well, we are experiencing it pretty rough now with of example horrendous weather events. The climate crisis is one of the results of a world dominated by patriarchal structures.
One-sided decision-making needs to stop now. Hence, Natalie addresses, in particular, young girls to lead the way. To bring in their extraordinary qualities. Women and girls do not need to be afraid of being powerful, driven and intelligent. Do not worry, as women have the natural capability to use power in a beneficial way and not selfishly. In fact, too often are women selfless, but women and girls need to learn to be selffull and use it: full of compassion, love, intelligence, reflectiveness etc.
‘Right Here Right Now’ helps every single woman and girl to find their voice and act.
Listen to the stories of the elders
The importance of storytelling is now more important than ever. Stories connect. Stories depict different contexts in one reality. In ‘Right Here Right Now’, Natalie showcases her talented storytelling skill. That might be the reason why I finished her book in a couple of days. Her storytelling ability wonderfully unfolded in the chapter about connecting with the country.
The importance of taking care of the land we live on with the connection of stories of First Nation People reveals the beauty we can experience. Real and true.
Throughout the book, different perspectives from different women appear in short paragraphs, contributing to the diversity of minds. Many minds, one goal: tackling the climate crises while rebuilding the world to become a better place.
Listening is such a wonderful attribute, but we unlearned how to listen genuinely and to the right people. A powerful Welcome to Country speech was given by Aunty Kathy during the book event.
In Australia, a Welcome to Country is a ceremony performed by a local Aboriginal person to acknowledge and give consent to events taking place on their traditional lands. It is a sign of respect referring to the traditional times before colonisation.
First Nation People are the most crucial representatives closest to bringing us back together with the natural world; to love and respect Mother Earth. If we want to reverse the damage of centuries of exploitation, we need to incorporate the wisdom and tradition of First Nation People who have not lost the connection to our home: planet Earth.
We can shape a new world with the spirit of communities and a circle of women
If you are unsure about the impact you can make, I have three recommendations for you:
Firstly, I would like to recommend you to read ‘Right Here Right Now‘. You can buy it here. (I solely recommend this book, I will not receive a commission or any other gratification)
Secondly, I suggest you connect with a community: in your neighbourhood, city, country or online on 1 Million Women. You are not alone. There are many other wonderful people who want to make an impact that counts.
Thirdly, you can join the Reimagine Sustainability Community by subscribing to the newsletter. Receive weekly inspiration on how to make a meaningful impact. Or you can join the new and fresh Reimagine Sustainability Facebook Group, where we will actively support each other to create a pathway towards a sustainable future. I am very much looking forward to welcoming you there.
Alrighty! Maybe the last suggestion is: attend book launch events. It is a different vibe to listen to the author, to connect what she, he or they has to say. Furthermore, it creates a more memorable feeling while reading the book. At the end of the event, I obviously got hold of one of the copies of ‘Right Here Right Now‘. With a signature!
The beauty of this book is that it gives you the feeling that you are not alone in this. Others have figured it out and taken action – big or small, it does not matter. Natalie makes you feel empowered and ready to strip down your doubts and create a better future. Her exceptional storytelling gives you the push to become an engaged citizen. Get involved! Right here, right now!
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That sound like a good winter reading. Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful and inspiring book (which I have added to the Christmas Book List) thank you I can’t wait to read this.
You are more than welcome Jeanine. I hope Right Here Right Now inspires you as much as it inspired me 🙂