ºClimate Day

On Citizenship

// October 18th, 2009 // Blog

David Noble, a friend and mentor of Gracen’s asked her to compose this short piece for his 2 Degrees Tour. The topic is citizenship; what does it mean to be active citizens in our culture? How do we do it, collectively? How do individuals practice it?

I try not to politicize the word citizenship. Perhaps this is not a good idea because political boundaries are sort of inherent in the definition of a citizen. BUT, perhaps it is a great idea because then the concept of citizenship isn’t lost to people who think politics blows chunks.

To me, being an active citizen is just doing what needs to be done. This can be seen on any scale and allows for few excuses or alibis. For example, I have a recent anecdote on a very micro scale. Our subletters left us a lovely array of unwanted articles upon their departure. These articles were mostly hanging out in the shed and included a very nice comforter and wool jacket. As my housemates and I cleaned through this mess, and lifted said comforter and jacket, I discovered what appeared to be the vestiges of a small rat population. After recovering from the shock of the findings, I was able to level my head and contemplate a course of action.

Understanding that the rat house needed to be bagged and disposed of, and also understanding that my housemates were uncomfortable with the infestation, I accepted that I should just do it. Thank you, Nike. In fact, I dare say the whole Gracen vs. Rats episode was rather exhilarating. I see this as active citizenship and opportunities to act present themselves everywhere. Rancid compost needs to be dealt with? I’ll do it. Tap in the washroom at school is leaking? I’ll tell Maintenance. Dead mouse needs to be removed from the house? Call me.

Do I have an affinity for all things gross? No. However, I find it highly satisfying to do what needs to be done, especially when no one else will do it. Rats are my skydiving. This is my citizenship.

Unless I am mistaken, David [Noble] probably had intended that I talk about my involvement in C-Day: Fill The Hill as opposed to my frequent encounters with rodents. The philosophy still applies. As a citizen of this country and this planet, I saw that something (/A LOT) needed to be done about Canada’s largely unchecked GHG emissions and lack of political will to challenge that reality. Therefore, I started a national citizens’ mobilization campaign to show our Parliament that Canada supports fair, ambitious, and binding climate policy. Do I like getting very little sleep and volunteering myself full-time for over nine months when I need to pay for (and attend) school? No more than I like picking up rat-infested blankets with a copper pipe (also left in our shed). Yet, there is an incomparable sense of satisfaction and peace and adrenaline that comes with knowing that you are doing what needs to be done.

Those are my thoughts on active citizenship. I hope that you will join me on The Hill. I promise, I washed my hands after cleaning the shed.

In solidarity,

Gracen