Member-only story
Why we should try to be cheerful activists
Hubert Humphrey was a democratic politician (including terms as Senator and Vice President) who ran against Richard Nixon in the 1968 presidential election. Nixon beat him by a fraction of a point. Humphrey largely disappeared from view.
But Humphrey — who had more than one setback in his career — was known as The Happy Warrior. He did his work, promoted his causes and greeted people with a cheerful attitude. It was his way of relating to the world.
Although Humphrey’s politics were too moderate for my tastes (but still preferable to Richard Nixon!), his attitude seemed to me to be a healthy one. In fact, I am a fan of facing every challenge life puts before us with an upbeat and playful approach. This may strike some as unrealistic or even insensitive. But, for me, it helps me persevere.
I aim to be a Happy Climate Warrior and for “A Climate Declaration” to launch a broad cheerful movement to change the world and save the planet.
The cause and demands are serious. This is undeniable. And we will pull no punches. But this can also be fun. A movement of slapstick and surprises. Not just predictable marches and petitions. Like Gandhi, we will try to create actions that cannot be ignored, that require response. We will be a constant threat to “business as…
