This page was created for the participants in one of our Climate Conversations. Responses are edited for clarity and anonymity. They represent the personal feelings and opinion of participants around that topic. They are not intended to be used as a source of factual information. They are not fact-checked and there may be errors and inaccuracies.

Our discussion topic this week was ‘belonging ‘. It’s described as a positive climate emotion. Something you might discover from joining with others as part of a movement. However, different people may have very different responses and that’s okay.

Belonging

• Belonging
  • Nice feeling
    • Being part of something much bigger than myself
      • Reading and ideas
    • Ownership
      • It’s two-way
        • Belonging to the Earth
        • and Earth belongs to you
    • The purpose of the group is not necessarily relevant
      • Need a feeling of belonging
      • Even in a group with unpleasant beliefs, people are getting along and talking about their dog and everyday life
    • Being with like-minded people
  • Place
    • Having a feeling for a place.
    • There’s a Welsh word that’s like a term for homesickness but nicer.
      • Longing
      • Yearning
    • Identity
      • There’s a saying that you’re a composite of the 5 people you spend most time with
      • Ownership – but less materialistic
  • Risks
    • When you expect a feeling or connection but don’t get it
  • Belonging can be elusive
    • It can be hard to find
      • It’s hard when you don’t have people who get you.
    • Unspoken rules:
      • Hold a group together
      • But also create outsiders
    • It’s what you expect from each other
      • Some people are almost religious about it
      • Have strong feelings for a group
        • It makes you vulnerable when it ends
  • Absence of belonging
    • It’s a subjective feeling
      • It’s not up to someone else to say if you belong – or don’t
    • Differences in the Green movement
      • Around which action to take
      • Legal or illegal actions
    • Could the Green Movement benefit from being more welcoming?
      • Yes!
      • Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes
        • Not trying to convince or tell someone
  • Groups
    • work
    • cycling
    • collectives
    • this group
    • collectives
  • Green Groups are often made up of people who feel like outsiders
    • It’s a relief knowing there are others like you
    • Can find other people who are outsiders too
  • Get a sense of belonging from a shared experience or event
    • Rave
    • Festival
    • Gigs

What did you think or feel at the end of today’s session?

• There are loads of us
• Fuzzy, warm and content
• It’s abstract – it was a bit tricky
• How peer support work is therapeutic – reciprocal
• It’s important, tricky and elusive
• Maybe in the future we’ll understand it a bit more – and be able to articulate it a bit better
• The question about being more welcoming feels more important
• There’s a benefit to belonging and not being outside