It’s been about 6 months since I launched mydamnnac.com.    This week I’ve been working on a mid-year review: reflecting on my goals and figuring out where I want to go next. 

I’m really quite happy with my progress so far. I’ve published 15 articles, written nearly 30,000 words and gotten a lot of kind feedback on the work I’m doing. 

One insight I can share is that I’ve realized that when people ask me what I do, my answer has been terrible.  I usually find myself fumbling around with a mealy-mouthed, bumbling description that just does not sound very purposeful.  

It has usually sounded like this: 

The more I hear myself say this speech the more I realize I’m being a wimp.  I need to commit and be clearer about my aims.

From now on my answer is going to be much simpler:  

What is a climate advocate?  It’s someone who actively supports and promotes actions and policies to prevent climate change. To be a good advocate, you must develop well-informed and well-reasoned points of view on issues and potential solutions.   Then you need to communicate those views to help bring about change.

 The best thing about climate advocacy is that anyone can do it in their personal, professional, or civic roles.

Advocates are different than activists.  The work can be similar, but activists tend to focus on mobilizing people, usually with an emphasis on urgent, sometimes confrontational actions intended to provoke a response or change in policy.  

Activism has its place, and I don’t rule it out, but for now, I think I can have a bigger impact through education, communication and collaboration.

So that’s my answer now when people ask me what my job is – I’m a Climate Advocate.  I even made an email signature.

I also realized that in my new job, my colleagues include Leonardo Di Caprio and Gisele Bundchen.  

Maybe if I’m lucky,  I’ll get to meet them in the lunch room. ■