When I say, “We’re all in this together,” I really mean it. In a previous blog post, I covered Kimberley Nicholas’ 5 roles you can take on in fighting climate change. Today I’m thinking about the different skillsets and personalities we each bring to those roles.
I don’t like to pigeonhole people – we’re all combinations of various traits, perspectives, and tendencies. But most of us lean in a particular direction when it comes to processing the world around us. As one who leans in a “facts and logic” direction, I’m fascinated by (and sometimes jealous of) those who have more creative approaches to the world. One of those creatives is Amber Peoples.
Photo credit: How on Earth? LIVE!
I was recently drawn into Amber’s circle by volunteering to perform in one of her productions (yes, getting out of my comfort zone!). You see, Amber is a creator, producer, director, and community builder in the performing arts. With a BA in English/Language Arts Education and an MA in Theatre Production, Amber has spent the past 25+ years producing live events at festivals, in theaters, and at conferences. Her career has been a fascinating journey through teaching, corporate event management, community-building, non-profit guidance, and production of theatrical events in the US and Europe. Along the way, Amber’s work has always included envisioning a better future, weaving in science, ecology, and the awe-inspiring nature of our planet.
Eventually, all that work (and play) led to a breakthrough in “climate storytelling” – the Earth Archetypes framework. This framework recognizes that protecting ourselves and our natural world from extreme climate depends on each of us having a relationship with the Earth. And just like our personal relationships, that Earth relationship will be different for every person. The Earth Archetypes provide a door into creating your own relationship with the planet.
Amber identified these 5 Archetypes as templates to guide you in understanding how to build your relationship with the Earth and to share your story with others:
Amber Peoples’ Earth Archetypes
Molecule – focused on data, science, experimentation, and precision
Network – using systems, mapping, and connecting the dots
Weaver – building community, organizing, and designing personal connections
Metaphor – using arts, expression, symbolism, and imagination
Embodiment – turning to intuition, meditation, the senses, healing, and mysticism
You can take the Earth Archetype quiz here to see where you land!
Amber understands that, while we all care about the future and most of us are concerned about climate change, we don’t always know how to talk about it. We must learn to use our own skills and perspectives to share our stories. From her skill and her lens of “Metaphor,” the How on Earth? LIVE! show was born. This roughly-scripted improv production uses the 5 Earth Archetypes to offer solutions to a simple question from a community member about climate change and what we can do about it. The players create their own scripts and share their ideas in front of a live, interactive audience as a “climate makeover show”! At the end, the questioner/protagonist selects the idea that resonates most with him or her, and the selected Archetype guides the protagonist and the audience through next steps to make a difference in the real world.
Amber has spent the past year on the road, taking the show from city to city. But life on the road is rough, and Amber has a bigger vision: How on Earth – the reality TV series! As Amber says, “the next step is a fully produced series with the same makeover transformation energy, but now into the world of reality tv. In people's actual lives. On location with community partners. Each season in a new city. Impacting the frontlines of climate action. With cameras that can go everywhere the story goes.”
Amber Peoples and Kimberley Nicholas have shown us the way. Discover your Archetype. Use it to strengthen your relationship with the planet. Understand that each of your roles in life is an opportunity for heart-felt communication about our beautiful planet.
Remember: We’re all in this together.