The tide of public opinion about the urgency of climate action is turning. And once it crosses that tipping point, it isn’t going back. We are close to that historic moment.
The promise of youth striking from school around the globe under the banner of #FridaysForFuture, combined with the groundswell of ordinary citizens flocking to the Extinction Rebellion movement, is causing consternation to world leaders who are failing to deal adequately with the world climate emergency before us.
My recent piece on #climatehope for 2019 is followed by this blog post resourced from the Climate Reality Project.
During a recent visit to The Daily Show to discuss the global broadcast of 24 Hours of Reality: Protect Our Planet, Protect Ourselves, former Vice President Al Gore, had this to say about the recent flurry of scientific reports about climate change:
“It is hard at times to hear all that and feel the tragedy of it and maintain your hope and optimism that we’re gonna solve this problem. I continue to believe that we will, because we have faced almost insurmountable obstacles in the past… and we have rallied, as human beings, to do what’s right.”
Even as scientists uncover distressing new information about climate change impacts and tell us that we have only a few years to make enormous global changes if we’re to avoid the worst, here at Climate Reality we remain optimistic.
Keeping Our #ClimateTanks Full
We keep our #ClimateHope tanks filled in many different ways, but here are five things we’ve found to be particularly helpful in staying optimistic that we will solve this crisis and enjoy a safe, sustainable future.
1. Acceptance
As a climate advocate, you’re likely tuned in to the latest research and policy progress regarding climate change. So it’s not news to you that the headlines aren’t always sunny.
Many people who contemplate climate issues find that they wrestle with a whole spectrum of emotions – including, for some, grief. And it’s no wonder.
But the five stages of grief end with acceptance, and there is great power in acknowledging and talking about the feelings we have about the climate crisis. And of course, accepting our own feelings is important if we’re to turn acceptance into powerful action.
2. Community
The best antidote to feelings of despair is community – the friends, family, coworkers, and more you can talk with, learn from, and work alongside to make a difference.
We’re lucky to be surrounded by a community that at every turn finds new reasons to be optimistic. They even have a name: Climate Reality Leaders.
Climate Reality Leaders are seasoned community organizers, first-time activists, and business executives. Concerned parents and curious high-schoolers. Retired college professors, writers and actors, scientists, stay-at-home parents, faith leaders, and so much more.
Our trained Leaders come from all walks of life. But they all share the same desire to make a difference and help create a sustainable future for the Earth.
Many of our dedicated Climate Reality Leaders have started public Climate Reality chapters in their communities to support climate action at the local level.
And that gives us #climatehope.
3. Inspiration“
In the struggle between hope and despair, I always come down on the side of hope ~ Al Gore
It’s not too hard to find inspiration in the work of Climate Reality Leaders, but where else can you go for a quick dose of hope?
The bad news often grabs the big headlines, but it continues to be true that in spite of attention-getting policy setbacks at the national and international levels, the economy continues to turn in favor of clean, renewable energy. For instance, in some parts of the US, wind and solar are already cheaper than coal and natural gas, and the We Mean Business Coalition now boasts 835 companies committed to climate action.
Companies, as well as local governments, continue to prove they can make big changes. Cities, which are responsible for approximately 70 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions and where policies like building codes and renewable energy standards can make a real difference, are stepping up in a big way. In fact, 27 major cities (including London, New York City, and Melbourne) have already succeeded in reducing their emissions by 10 percent over a five-year period.
The point is, the news isn’t all bad, even if it may seem that way sometimes – and we’re consistently inspired by the real-world progress that we see beyond the doom-and-gloom headlines.
4. Action
Knowing the reality of the climate crisis is important – because we must see it for what it is before we can fight it. But without hope and inspiration, it’s hard to maintain the will to act. That’s a big reason why Climate Reality continually looks to highlight and support the work for solutions underway to fight the climate crisis.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The fight for a clean energy future is a fight for a fair future.
But sadly, climate impacts often fall disproportionally and unfairly on society’s most vulnerable.
“While climate change affects us all, it hits families living paycheck to paycheck the hardest,” according to the Center for American Progress (CAP).
“In a world of growing inequities, it is not mere coincidence that the poorest among us not only live and work in areas most prone to flooding, heat waves, and other climate change effects but are also least resourced to prepare adequately for and withstand those impacts.”
But there is a way forward. By putting environmental justice front-and-center in local climate policy, activists, towns, and cities around the world can do the right thing by those most in need while working for a sustainable future for everyone.
5. Self-Care
When confronting the existential crisis presented by climate change, we can’t always jump to our feet – sometimes the sheer scope and size of it all, and the weight of our emotions, means we must take time to sit with our feelings and take care of ourselves.
One way we like to recharge ourselves is to get out in a natural place – get close to the very environment we’re all working so hard to protect. Whether you head to the beach, forest, mountains, or a local park, the simple act of being outside has numerous physical and mental health benefits.
Consider, as well, taking a break from the news and the science for a time. Often, simply taking a break to pause and appreciate the life we have on this planet is just the thing needed to allow us to come back refreshed and ready to make change.
Whatever it is you do to care for yourself, make sure you make time for it. And of course, if you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, or other forms of mental health distress, be sure to reach out to a qualified professional.
This fight won’t be over soon, and it won’t be easy – but if we look out for ourselves and each other, if we focus on sources of inspiration and opportunities to act, we can make a positive difference in the future we see – and we pass on to the next generation.
Related articles….
What gives me Climate Hope for 2019
The Story of a Climate Reality Leader and Mentor
KuTGW !
I can’t stop John.
As much as I hate to rain on this parade of optimism from Climate Reality, I agree with Kevin Anderson, the UK’s renowned climate scientist, who in his recent damning indictment of the UN’s climate change conferences (COPs), wrote this opening paragraph:
“A quick glance at COP24 suggests three steps forward and two steps back. But whilst to the naïve optimist this may sound like progress, in reality it’s yet another retrograde bound towards a climate abyss. As government negotiators play poker with the beauty of three billion years of evolution, climate change emissions march on. This year with a stride 2.7% longer than last year – which itself was 1.6% longer than the year before. Whilst the reality is that every COP marks another step backwards, the hype of these extravaganzas gives the impression that we’re forging a pathway towards a decarbonized future.”
Anderson’s poke at “naïve optimists” came to mind as I read the above “parade of optimism” flowing from Climate Reality in an article without an identified author and no clue as to the related climate science expertise of the “ghost writer”.
Which leads me to ask — What are the climate science related qualifications of the senior people associated with this organization?
Given that we are, as Anderson notes, “bound towards a climate abyss” as “emissions march on” I’m at a loss to know what quantitative empirical evidence Climate Reality finds to be so hopeful about. Less rhetorical flourish and more facts would be nice.
Frank. Thank you for the feedback on the post.
I think we should make a distinction between “naive optimism” and “constructive optimism”. Hope = Action and reciprocally, Action = Hope. The Climate Reality strategy to focus on solutions and to give hope has its place in the fight against climate change.
But for those of us on the front lines of climate action, the reality is much less than optimistic. And so I share your comments. COP climate talks always fall short of what the world requires to bend the curve on rising emissions. The gap between what we need to do and a worsening climate picture is getting wider. We are losing this war. And there’s no end in sight.
Anderson sums it up quite well – “Whilst the reality is that every COP marks another step backwards, the hype of these extravaganzas gives the impression that we’re forging a pathway towards a decarbonized future.”
But we are not.
Frank White is right in that the situation is very serious and the time is short, however he is wrong to criticize those who are fighting to help. Some of us have been fighting for years and are weary. In addition to scientists, this will take a huge effort from many non-scientists and we need all the help we can get.
Ed. I think both Frank White and you are right as you’ll see in my response to his comments. If hope allows more people to get engaged then so be it. But hope is a double-edged sword. Hope can also be a substitute for action.
Thank you for your feedback.