The document proposes holding 100 Climate Change Councils across the UK to catalyze individual and community actions to address climate change. A Climate Change Council is a participatory democracy process that uses collective wisdom to resolve challenges related to climate change. Hosting or sponsoring the Councils offers organizations opportunities for publicity, learning about public attitudes on climate change, and being part of a nationwide initiative.

1. It will not cost the earth

2. It will not cost the earth to prevent catastrophic climate change, but it will cost the Earth not to do so. Tom Burke

3. Governments, scientists and climate conferences alone will not make sufficient difference fast enough. We must all play our part. If you think you can’t make a difference, here’s an example…. 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

4. On May 1st 2007, Modbury hit the international headlines as the first UK town to turn its back on plastic shopping bags. Led by Rebecca Hosking, all of the Modbury retailers stopped issuing plastic bags and started selling reuseable, and biodegradable bags instead. This action by a small group in Modbury catalyzed action from retailers and consumers around the world. 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

5. One Year Later The butcher now packs meat in biodegradable corn-starch bags The florist wraps flowers in corn starch cellophane and uses raffia The local deli owner puts sandwiches in brown paper bags The green grocer carries mainly loose produce, with brown paper bags for packaging. The change has been sustained and is growing. 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

6. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead Imagine the impact that 100 small thoughtful groups would have on climate change in the UK 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

7. If our ‘tell and sell’ approaches do not work what will? Most of our attempts at resolving climate change ignore the essential difference between reason and emotion reason leads to conclusions while emotion leads to action . 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

8. One such approach is the Wisdom Council Approaches that connect hearts and minds, and stir emotions in positive ways that lead to massive action. Approaches that: “ Amplify our Collective Intelligence, Collective Wisdom and Co-creativity” George Por 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

9. “ Knowledge comes but wisdom lingers” Alfred Lord Tennyson "The atmosphere was one of calm and tranquility, and everyone commented on how a complex problem had inroads made with no talking down, no interruption, and true use of the talents in the room." Chairman, AMED Scotland "The Wisdom Council has really helped us to find the team spirit we needed to get started. It has lead us all to go deeper into our feelings and thoughts, reveal our true "us" as a team but also as individuals in this team. This has been a great experience." Philippe Bonnet, Account Managing Director, Y&R Europe “ I am impressed with the Wisdom Council. It is simple yet profound. It kept us out of our sometimes-dysfunctional communication styles with each other. "We worked the issues, we listened to each other, we had more equal participation across the whole group than we typically do with other meeting styles." Bob Johansen, President, Institute for the Future, USA 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

10. “ Knowledge comes but wisdom lingers” Alfred Lord Tennyson "The atmosphere was one of calm and tranquility, and everyone commented on how a complex problem had inroads made with no talking down, no interruption, and true use of the talents in the room." Chairman, AMED Scotland "The Wisdom Council has really helped us to find the team spirit we needed to get started. It has lead us all to go deeper into our feelings and thoughts, reveal our true "us" as a team but also as individuals. This has been a great experience." Philippe Bonnet, Account Managing Director, Y&R Europe 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

11. “ Knowledge comes but wisdom lingers” Alfred Lord Tennyson "The atmosphere was one of calm and tranquility, and everyone commented on how a complex problem had inroads made with no talking down, no interruption, and true use of the talents in the room." Chairman, AMED Scotland 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

12. “ Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. ” Immanuel Kant Who? We have trained over many years to lead Wisdom Councils around the world. We will hold 100 Wisdom Councils or, as we are calling them Climate Change Councils, in the UK in 2008/09. Patricia and Mike Bell 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

13. “ Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification. ” Martin Fischer What is a Climate Change Council? A Climate Change Council is a form of participative democracy that leads to action. It is a way to resolve complex challenges by evoking the collective wisdom of people by looking into an important issue from eight perspectives that make up a sequence of wholeness. It has been described as “a deep process that enables participants to step back from the pressures and demands of any situation and open their minds and hearts to listen, to consider, and to source wisdom from deep reflection. “ It begins with a question that the person, group, community, or team surfaces that affects the well-being of the whole.“ WE & RH Kinney-Linton, The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future, 2007. 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

14. “ We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” George Bernard Shaw Aims To catalyze individual, local group and national actions to address climate change. To create an ongoing community of practice with the power to exponentially impact change. To communicate the recommendations for action that come from the 100 Councils to the Copenhagen Climate Conference in 2009 . 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

15. How you can get involved and benefit … How? Our only home/office will be a motorhome for 12 months – the most carbon efficient way of achieving our aims – as we travel the UK to lead 2 Climate Change Councils a week. 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

16. How you can get involved and benefit - 1 Host Climate Change Councils If you are a local or national organisation with branches, we will lead Climate Change Councils for your members. Benefits: Increased visibility as part of a unique year long environmental programme An additional opportunity for your members take action on climate change A national and global voice for your members on green issues An opportunity to attract new members Be part of a community of practice sharing and learning together Experience a new way for resolving personal and community challenges An innovative ready-made project, tailored to your needs and at no cost 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

17. How you can get involved and benefit - 2 Sponsor Climate Change Councils Benefits Unlimited opportunities for local and national press and TV publicity for a 12 month campaign. A wealth of current information about people attitudes and preparedness to take action. 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS

18. For more information about 100 Climate Change Councils www.thewisdommeme.com/climatecouncils [email_address] 100 CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCILS