The latest IPCC report was released two weeks ago. If you’re feeling angry and hopeless about climate change, you’re not the only one. How are you feeling in the aftermath of the report? If you’re anxious - how do you cope with climate anxiety?
(P.S. this is our first discussion thread - let us know what you’d like to ask everyone next!)
I had conflicting emotions about the report. The findings didn’t feel like new information, but this time (maybe because of the tone they used) the problem felt more pressing. They framed the report as “code red for humanity” which could make us believe that it’s all over already and lead us to inaction.
At the same time, I think the change in tone was very much needed. We should use the findings as an opportunity to learn and act fast. We can’t afford to wait 30 years to reach net zero.
What helps me feel optimistic about the future is seeing change, and I look for that change on a local scale. I believe that small actions, compounded over time, can have a large impact.
It's needed because without it, politicians are going to keep playing the "yes, we'll make these changes by 2030/2040/etc" game which gives them enough time to incrimentally move the goalposts, and also retire (or be changed out of government), so they can say "yeah, it didn't get done but it's not our problem. This kind of behaviour is incredibly damaging and exactly why so many folk have given up on politics. It needs to be treated as a problem *this* government has to start to solve *now*.
I feel like the issue isn't technical, even though many people still assume so. The technology is there to fix most of the damage, even though it's too late to reverse some of it in the shirt term. But there's all this stuff that *can* be done. It's just not getting done, because of bureaucracy, shortsightedness, apathy, cynicism and greed - and hopelessness, which can be used as a tool to dodge responsibility. (If a big polluting firm goes from "it's not us" straight into "it WAS us, but everyone was doing it and anyway, it's too late now", they are guilty of weaponising hopelessness to cover their backsides.)
Thanks for sharing! It's a really good point, the messaging is what is letting politicians and corporations off the hook because we really struggle to think long-term so even 2030 seems like a long way off - which makes it easier for governments to put off putting changes in place today. There's a growing message around the urgency of action which is promising - let's just hope the pressure keeps building for action now, especially with imminent major events like COP26 and COP15 which are chances for politicians to actually take action.
I’m feeling anxious about the path we’re on. I feel like we’re running out of time, and we’re in a race to save the world, and that I need to do more personally.
But I also try to remind myself that it’s a marathon and it’s not all on me. I cope with climate anxiety, by trying to do what I can and remembering that many are fighting at all levels. I also try to spend time in nature and with loved ones. I’m also going to start talking with others about my climate anxiety and eco grief and start leading with feelings and emotions.
Thanks for sharing! Talking with others is so helpful - I think we are used to trying to 'squash' our feelings about the climate crisis but emotions can be so helpful in bringing people together and in driving our actions to solve the crisis too.
Personally I'm livid. I feel like we're living in a literal apocalypse scenario. Fires, floods and a global pandemic. It's biblical in tone and scale. Though the gear-change in the tone of this recent IPCC report is welcome, I don't believe that what is lacking is evidence of the severity of the problem- we've well passed the threshold to demand action.
I can't help but highlight a comparison with the world-wide Covid-19 response. Industry, education, commerce were all shut down overnight to great social and economic cost - a response that would be considered totally irrational in response to climate change, it really highlights how structures of government can be so efficient at crisis management when they need to be, and that climate change is simply not considered to be "crisis" enough. Of course, the pandemic has shown how crisis response can significantly worsen inequalities and there is lots of discussion about how sustainable development and tackling climate change needs to be a feminist/inclusive/empowering/enriching endeavour with an emphasis on climate justice for the Global South, that's all tied up in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. I don't believe we need to suffer to deal with climate change, but I think the pandemic just illustrates that the issue of action lies with political will not necessity.
I'm completely disillusioned and don't think that current political structures are fit to deal with the massive task of energy transition which lies before us.
Really good point about how quickly governments reacted to the pandemic - they've shown they're capable of dramatic unthinkable shifts when it's deemed necessary, but refuse to treat the climate crisis as a crisis
Sometimes it feels like this is just a movie and we're at the part where things look very grim and there's no hope. But then something amazing happens and it turns around. I still feel that's possible. Just in the past five years or so there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of people becoming involved and taking climate actions. I'm still hopeful there will be enough of us and humanity will survive. I know things will probably not look the same in 20 years even in the best case scenario. I'm afraid of what we'll be living through but that's also the energy I use to keep pushing!
I had conflicting emotions about the report. The findings didn’t feel like new information, but this time (maybe because of the tone they used) the problem felt more pressing. They framed the report as “code red for humanity” which could make us believe that it’s all over already and lead us to inaction.
At the same time, I think the change in tone was very much needed. We should use the findings as an opportunity to learn and act fast. We can’t afford to wait 30 years to reach net zero.
What helps me feel optimistic about the future is seeing change, and I look for that change on a local scale. I believe that small actions, compounded over time, can have a large impact.
Yes to the change of tone being needed.
It's needed because without it, politicians are going to keep playing the "yes, we'll make these changes by 2030/2040/etc" game which gives them enough time to incrimentally move the goalposts, and also retire (or be changed out of government), so they can say "yeah, it didn't get done but it's not our problem. This kind of behaviour is incredibly damaging and exactly why so many folk have given up on politics. It needs to be treated as a problem *this* government has to start to solve *now*.
I feel like the issue isn't technical, even though many people still assume so. The technology is there to fix most of the damage, even though it's too late to reverse some of it in the shirt term. But there's all this stuff that *can* be done. It's just not getting done, because of bureaucracy, shortsightedness, apathy, cynicism and greed - and hopelessness, which can be used as a tool to dodge responsibility. (If a big polluting firm goes from "it's not us" straight into "it WAS us, but everyone was doing it and anyway, it's too late now", they are guilty of weaponising hopelessness to cover their backsides.)
Thanks for sharing! It's a really good point, the messaging is what is letting politicians and corporations off the hook because we really struggle to think long-term so even 2030 seems like a long way off - which makes it easier for governments to put off putting changes in place today. There's a growing message around the urgency of action which is promising - let's just hope the pressure keeps building for action now, especially with imminent major events like COP26 and COP15 which are chances for politicians to actually take action.
I’m feeling anxious about the path we’re on. I feel like we’re running out of time, and we’re in a race to save the world, and that I need to do more personally.
But I also try to remind myself that it’s a marathon and it’s not all on me. I cope with climate anxiety, by trying to do what I can and remembering that many are fighting at all levels. I also try to spend time in nature and with loved ones. I’m also going to start talking with others about my climate anxiety and eco grief and start leading with feelings and emotions.
Thanks for sharing! Talking with others is so helpful - I think we are used to trying to 'squash' our feelings about the climate crisis but emotions can be so helpful in bringing people together and in driving our actions to solve the crisis too.
Personally I'm livid. I feel like we're living in a literal apocalypse scenario. Fires, floods and a global pandemic. It's biblical in tone and scale. Though the gear-change in the tone of this recent IPCC report is welcome, I don't believe that what is lacking is evidence of the severity of the problem- we've well passed the threshold to demand action.
I can't help but highlight a comparison with the world-wide Covid-19 response. Industry, education, commerce were all shut down overnight to great social and economic cost - a response that would be considered totally irrational in response to climate change, it really highlights how structures of government can be so efficient at crisis management when they need to be, and that climate change is simply not considered to be "crisis" enough. Of course, the pandemic has shown how crisis response can significantly worsen inequalities and there is lots of discussion about how sustainable development and tackling climate change needs to be a feminist/inclusive/empowering/enriching endeavour with an emphasis on climate justice for the Global South, that's all tied up in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. I don't believe we need to suffer to deal with climate change, but I think the pandemic just illustrates that the issue of action lies with political will not necessity.
I'm completely disillusioned and don't think that current political structures are fit to deal with the massive task of energy transition which lies before us.
Really good point about how quickly governments reacted to the pandemic - they've shown they're capable of dramatic unthinkable shifts when it's deemed necessary, but refuse to treat the climate crisis as a crisis
Sometimes it feels like this is just a movie and we're at the part where things look very grim and there's no hope. But then something amazing happens and it turns around. I still feel that's possible. Just in the past five years or so there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of people becoming involved and taking climate actions. I'm still hopeful there will be enough of us and humanity will survive. I know things will probably not look the same in 20 years even in the best case scenario. I'm afraid of what we'll be living through but that's also the energy I use to keep pushing!
I like your optimism! There is always time to turn the tide on the worst impacts - the worst thing we could do now is give up
I saw this today: https://www.npr.org/2021/08/14/1027370891/climate-change-solutions-global-warming-computer-models-paris
It's reassuring to know that really bright people are looking for actual solutions and plans, even while others are continuing to dither or deny.