{"id":60727,"date":"2025-05-15T17:54:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T09:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/?p=60727"},"modified":"2025-09-23T18:02:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T10:02:46","slug":"have-you-felt-lonely-or-hopeless-try-urban-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/resource\/60727\/have-you-felt-lonely-or-hopeless-try-urban-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Have you felt lonely or hopeless? Try urban communities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Imagine the feeling of being disconnected, even when you are surrounded by others.<br><br>Loneliness has become a serious issue in our society, and it has emerged as a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2023\/nov\/16\/who-declares-loneliness-a-global-public-health-concern\">significant global public health concern<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p>We talked about this with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/souamandacosta\/\">Amanda Costa<\/a>, climate activist and Director of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.viradasustentavel.org.br\/instituto-perifa-sustentavel\">Perifa Sustent\u00e1vel<\/a>, in the new episode of SystemShift, a podcast by Greenpeace International that explores how we can move from a world that serves the economy to an economy that works for people and the planet.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Are Urban Communities a Remedy for Loneliness? - SystemShift Podcast S3: Episode 2\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BReHJS7oZg0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cities enable the problem, also the solutions<\/h2>\n\n<p>Our crowded but isolating cities have become a clear manifestation of a system that prioritises profit, consumption, and individualism. Add polarisation, constant bad news, increasing conflict, and climate anxiety, it\u2019s easy to feel hopeless.<br><br>\u201cDespite living right next to one another and seemingly being in a community, people still feel a sense of isolation and hopelessness,\u201d said Yewande Omotoso, the podcast co-host.<br><br>If&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.undp.org\/blog\/five-years-taking-stock-new-urban-agenda\">60% of humanity will live in cities by 2030<\/a>, this problem is nothing but growing, right? However, cities have also been the birthplace of powerful social movements throughout history. From community gardens or shared public spaces, to thousands of women demanding equality in the city centres and neighbours in peripheries resisting extreme weather events.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>They all start with people coming together, breaking down isolation and creating a sense of purpose, while driving real change in the making.<\/p>\n\n<p>That is precisely why collective work and community-driven solutions often work: because, unlike top-down approaches, they actively centre, advocate and involve people\u2019s needs, perspective, and active work.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On the periphery of cities. At the centre of collective action<\/h2>\n\n<p>In the podcast, Amanda also explains how urban communities are linked with climate action, and why joining them with people you share some values and a common purpose can bring hope.<br><br>People come together as a form to resist social inequalities and climate hazards.&nbsp; That\u2019s the case of informal settlements, usually on the periphery of cities \u2013 such as the Favelas in Brazil, where&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www1.folha.uol.com.br\/cotidiano\/2024\/11\/jovens-negros-sao-populacao-predominante-nas-favelas-mostra-censo.shtml\">73% of the population is black<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p>The inhabitants of favelas defend their basic right to stay and thrive by using their collective power. As a result, they develop an invaluable sense of belonging and create strong solidarity networks that allow them to share knowledge, resources, and mutual support. It\u2019s not romanticising inequality, but acknowledging the lived experience of millions of people who transform their territories together.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s my role as an individual? What can I do?<\/h2>\n\n<p>These are some concrete steps to advocate for climate and social justice while bringing hope that you can take:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listen or watch the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/about\/system-shift\/\">new episode of the SystemShift podcast<\/a>&nbsp;\u2013 which inspired this blog post!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check out your local community or do a quick search online for social or environmental groups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attend a community event or initiative in your area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider volunteering for a cause you care about in a local group or organisation.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/join\/volunteer\/\">It could be Greenpeace<\/a>&nbsp;or any other you like!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set up or join a protest or other types of civic activities in your city or town<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maybe you can\u2019t or don\u2019t feel comfortable doing any of this. In that case, try doing your own community-building activity, at your own pace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Loneliness and hopelessness are tough, but you are not alone in feeling this way. By joining local initiatives and working together, we can create stronger communities\u2014and bring #SystemShift too.<\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"wp-block-query posts-list p4-query-loop is-custom-layout-list is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\">\n        <div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3d213aab wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Podcast Transcript<\/h2>\n        <li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item see-all-link wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/news-stories\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">See all stories<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n        \n        <\/div>\n        \n\n    <p style=\"margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 36px;\"><\/p>\n\n    \n\n    <ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-60733 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-community-and-activism category-educational-resource tag-podcasts tag-system-shift p4-page-type-resource\">\n            \n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/resource\/60733\/transcript-are-urban-communities-a-remedy-for-loneliness\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1227\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2025\/04\/b9869460-episode-2-thumbnail.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image wp-stateless-item\" alt=\"Transcript: Are urban communities a remedy for loneliness?\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2025\/04\/b9869460-episode-2-thumbnail.png 1227w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2025\/04\/b9869460-episode-2-thumbnail-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2025\/04\/b9869460-episode-2-thumbnail-1024x569.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2025\/04\/b9869460-episode-2-thumbnail-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2025\/04\/b9869460-episode-2-thumbnail-510x283.png 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1227px) 100vw, 1227px\" data-image-size=\"post-thumbnail\" data-stateless-media-bucket=\"planet4-malaysia-stateless\" data-stateless-media-name=\"2025\/04\/b9869460-episode-2-thumbnail.png\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n        <div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/category\/community-and-activism\/\">Community &amp; Activism<\/a><\/div>\n                <div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/tag\/podcasts\/\" rel=\"tag\">Podcasts<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/tag\/system-shift\/\" rel=\"tag\">SystemShift<\/a><\/div>\n                \n                <\/div>\n                \n        <h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/resource\/60733\/transcript-are-urban-communities-a-remedy-for-loneliness\/\" target=\"_self\" >Transcript: Are urban communities a remedy for loneliness?<\/a><\/h3>\n        <div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Transcript for the podcast of Are urban communities a remedy for loneliness? <\/p><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"wp-block-group posts-list-meta is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><span class='article-list-item-author'>Greenpeace Malaysia<\/span>\n        <div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2025-05-15T17:50:51+08:00\">May 15, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n        \n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n            <\/li><\/ul>\n\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons carousel-controls is-horizontal is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-044bd602 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n            <div class=\"wp-block-button carousel-control-prev\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Prev<\/button><\/div>\n        \n\n            <div class=\"wp-block-button carousel-control-next\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Next<\/button><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n\n    <li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item see-all-link wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/news-stories\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">See all stories<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/div>\n    ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Imagine the feeling of being disconnected, even when you are surrounded by others. Listen to our latest podcast with Amanda Costa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":60730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"","p4_local_project":"","p4_basket_name":"","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[132,134],"tags":[102,135],"p4-page-type":[99],"class_list":["post-60727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-and-activism","category-educational-resource","tag-podcasts","tag-system-shift","p4-page-type-resource"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60727"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60727\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63026,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60727\/revisions\/63026"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60727"},{"taxonomy":"p4-page-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/p4-page-type?post=60727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}