Climate Just Collective: Meet Beth - Our New Social Media Volunteer

1. Tell us about yourself and your background (e.g. academic background, job, interests and hobbies)

Hey everyone, I’m Beth and I study Business and Management with Marketing at Bath Spa University. I recently took a year out to complete a placement year in Marketing, where I’ve learnt the ins and outs of all things Social Media Management and Design!

I’ve been living in Oxford for the past year whilst on placement, and it’s safe to say I’ve discovered my love for the city. Grabbing a good book and heading down to Bury Knowle Park has become a weekly routine, and I’ll definitely miss this when I venture back to Uni.

As you might’ve already gathered, I’m a bit of a book worm. I love learning new things and educating myself through books, podcasts, and documentaries - resources that are especially essential when it comes to climate justice. I’ve just finished reading How to Change Everything by Naomi Klein, which I’d definitely recommend.

When I’m not engrossed in my latest book, I like to make the most of my local parks and attempt a 5k – because being out in the fresh air surrounded by nature is never a bad idea.

2. What is your role with the Climate Just Collective and why did you decide to get involved?

As a Social Media and Graphic Design Volunteer, I primarily focus on copywriting and design. From creating eye-catching infographics to devising informative, educational captions for our audience, the role allows me to get creative whilst staying organised.

Once you begin to understand the scale of the climate crisis and the future we’re facing, it’s impossible to ignore. So, when I saw the role on Climate Just Collective’s Instagram page, I knew it’d be an incredible opportunity to use the skills I’ve gained over the past year to make a difference in the realm of climate justice.

3. What do you hope to achieve with the Climate Just Collective?

My goal at Climate Just Collective is to contribute towards a sustainable future, through helping raise awareness of the key climate justice issues we’re facing. Whether it’s giving actionable tips, or designing informative graphics, my aim is to use my skills to affect change.

Once I’d started making individual changes in my own life, I struggled to understand how I could become part of something bigger. But with Climate Just Collective, I’ve found a path towards my own form of activism, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of their efforts towards a brighter future.

4. What one piece of advice would you give to those trying to make a positive difference?

The advice I’ve found most useful when trying to make a positive difference is to make small changes, frequently. When you begin educating yourself on the scale of the crisis, it’s very overwhelming, and it’s normal to feel fearful and even hopeless at times. You may feel that you need to completely change every aspect of your life overnight – which just isn’t realistic.

So, start by making small changes to your daily life – such as replacing your make-up wipes for a re-usable face cloth, or getting your hands on a smart meter. It’s a good idea to make a list at the start of each month detailing the changes you can realistically make that month and go from there. This way, you won’t feel quite so overwhelmed and you’re more likely to stick to the changes you’ve made.

And remember that although the future may feel daunting, you can make a difference and inspire others to do the same.