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an introduction…
Nice to meet you. I’m Tolmeia Gregory, an artist and climate justice activist.
You may know me as Tolly. I’m an artist and climate justice activist working at the intersection of climate and creativity. I also host the podcast, Lights, Climate, Action.
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Looking for an artist that cares about the planet? Want my creative ideas for your next climate campaign? Need a speaker for your event?
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You can support my work by purchasing my artwork, including my ‘Climate Roles’ poster!
As I sit here in 35°c degree heat, receiving messages from my brother in Paris who is hearing non-stop ambulance sirens in his neighbourhood as France reaches the hottest temperatures ever recorded, with numerous lives lost, I have to dig deep to trust the decision I’ve made and the beliefs that I’ve been sharing with others.
My baby is only a couple of months old, and they’ve already experienced temperatures that my childhood never saw. I never remember having to sleep downstairs in the living room because my bedroom was too hot. I never remember my parents putting tinfoil on the windows. My room never lit up red, warning that I could overheat.
As I gaze down at my baby’s perfect features, oblivious to what’s happening all around them, I have to admit that the thought does cross my mind - what have I done?
But ‘what have I done’ is the wrong question. What have *they* done? The oil and gas industry hellbent on increasing profits at the expense of us all, despite the fact they’re dragging themselves into it too.
What have the ad agencies and the media done by continuing to uphold the image of these companies, maintaining their right to exist in people’s minds?
And no, really, what have the Temu’s and the Shein’s and the bargain homeware stores done by producing endless, toxic, cheap, unnecessary products like the highland cow holding a cocktail glass that someone will buy without a thought. We are so far removed from nature, it is laughable.
So, what have *I* done?
I’ve leant into my human desire to experience something that should be magical and full of joy. I see it when my baby smiles at me, in their eyes as blue as the warming oceans.
I have done nothing wrong and neither have you, fellow parents, sat sticky, chest-to-chest with your baby who knows nothing but the comfort of your heartbeat - and now, the white noise of a fan.
The only way we will do wrong by our children will be if we don’t act on their behalf. If we don’t honour this grief and this anger. If we don’t have the uncomfortable conversations. If we don’t show up and stop putting that worthless, plastic tat into our shopping baskets.
Only then will I ask myself, what have I done?
2 days ago
🤔 Why is it okay to think this way when we’d never think it about someone else!? Part 5 is an ode to the children and parents already in my life who deserve to exist even if the future is uncertain ❤️🩹
Have you had these thoughts before?
#parenthood #children #motherhood #pregnancy #heatwave
3 days ago
Outfit of the heatwave, brought to you by… 🙃
Thanks to my team at @clean_creatives for the gift x
#heatwave #uk #summer
5 days ago
👩🍼🌿 Slide 3 is something I’ll never get over and a lesson that we could all do with learning, whether you’re a parent or not.
I’m sure the list of lessons I learn will continue to grow everyday as my baby grows along with me but here are just a few ways that parenthood is helping me to approach our forever changing world - something I feel acutely aware of as we navigate keeping a newborn cool during the UK heatwave. 🌎
#parenting #motherhood #newmum
6 days ago
I keep seeing reminders about holding onto moments in life that our past-selves would have only dreamed of. Thanks to you, my past self would be pretty happy to know her dreams came true of starting a family with someone she was incredibly lucky to meet.
Happy first Father’s Day to my parent-in-crime, @theoriginaljake 💙
7 days ago
☄️ Has the girl with the list added that it’s the end of the world? Here’s how I decided that it’s not too late to have a child - part 4 on my version of the list; the things that helped me to say yes to having a baby despite the state of the world.
🎦 The documentary I mentioned is The Climate Baby Dilemma by Britt Wray @unthinkable.earth which featured an interview with @sarainfox - I highly recommend seeking out this film. It won’t give you an answer to such a big question but it will help to shed light on some of the common anxieties aspiring parents often have.
#parenting #motherhood #parents #pregnancy
Who else has had this fear?
1 week ago
👋🌍 In case you’ve followed me since I started my video series on how I decided to have a baby during a climate crisis, here’s a little more about me 👉👉👉
My account has transformed so many times over the years, from teen fashion blogger to road-blocking activist to now focusing on my life as a new mum. I’m actually feeling more creatively inspired than I have in a while because I finally have something new to say, so, if you’re just joining me, hopefully you’ve caught me at a good time 🤗
I’ll be filming more of my series soon and when my little human gives me a spare moment, I’m absolutely going to share some of my favourite thrift finds because second-hand shopping for a baby is a whole lot of fun.
📸 Photos by @theoriginaljake
#motherhood #parenting #newmum
2 weeks ago
Don’t let anyone make you think that it’s not the right time to have one of the most human experiences 💚
Part 3 🎬
#parenting #pregnancy #motherhood
3 weeks ago
