I get by with a little help from my friends

Long standing volunteer Naomi Arnold shares her 5 year journey to date with 2050 Climate Group. Beginning by reflecting on what she initially wanted from the Young Leaders Development Programme, we hear how she has been able to develop personally and professionally through the group over the years while also gaining a few beneficial surprises along the way!

A bit of ancient history… 

I became part of the 2050 Climate Group through being part of the first Young Leaders Development Programme (YLDP) in 2015. When I applied to the YLDP, according to my application, (yes, I managed to dig it out from 5 years ago!), I was hoping to “develop the necessary skills that will enable me to communicate my enthusiasm for limiting our negative environmental impact.” What a boring answer! 

Did being part of the YLDP deliver what I’d hoped to gain? 

Yes, I developed the skills to help me communicate my enthusiasm for limiting our negative environmental impact. Oh, and so much more…!

Since being a participant of the first YLDP, I subsequently Chaired the YLDP for two consecutive years, helping to implement the Personal, Professional, Political structure that the programme now follows. I have supported the coordination and running of two of 2050 Climate Group’s Summits, each with around 400 people attending. I have represented 2050 Climate Group at conferences and picked up the award for Global Game Changers. I was even lucky enough to visit our colleagues in Malawi, facilitating workshops to aid our Malawian counterparts to develop the work they will do with their peers in 3 different regions. 

These are just a few examples of when I have been lucky to gain professional experience and development through my various roles. 

Yet, for me, the most important and surprising thing that I have gained are the friendships I have built through 2050 Climate Group. It sounds entirely cliched, I know, but I cannot imagine my life without the people I have met through this group. 

From camping trips, my first mountain biking experience, meeting at 7 am to swim in the sea before work; to breaking my wrist in St Abbs and running up and down Arthur’s Seat for 12 hours – I have been surrounded by people I met through 2050 Climate Group, and consolidated some of the strongest, newest friendship in my life.

Not only have I been able to enjoy many social activities with like-minded people, but this unique group of friends has also provided, and continues to provide, constant intellectual and emotional support too. I feel able and welcome to discuss topics that I may not feel able to with other friends; and they are often able to offer advice about how I bring these conversations to other friends, if that is appropriate. 

We often share similar questions and frustrations with both our personal journeys to create a better future, and career opportunities that are, or are not, available. And one thing that I find utterly brilliant is the enthusiasm and positivity that runs throughout the group. For example, if someone posts online, or expresses in person, that they are feeling overwhelmed by news of the climate crisis and ecological breakdown, there is a whole team of people that almost immediately provides positive stories that the media seem averse to report. 

They are passionate people who regularly make me feel so proud to be able to call my friends. 

As Karl Marx famously said: “Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life.” This is exactly what I have done. Cheers to that!

2050 Climate Group is currently recruiting volunteers. To find out more about this opportunity, check out our opportunities page!