Climate-related events are happening daily. How should we respond?

The recent bombardment of media highlighting extreme climate-related events and other environmental degradation has become overwhelming. To be frank, I have felt helpless and nihilistic about the state of the planet and the human species as of late. The barrage of information via social media and news apps means that the inundation is that much more intense. As someone who has been involved in research on how best to ignite action around the environmental crisis using environmental psychology tactics (check out my previous post on this), perhaps I have a unique opportunity for introspection when these feelings arise. 

In my opinion, it is critical that we accept a few difficult truths: 

1) Climate change is here and we are totally unprepared. 

There is no precedent for this. Never before has a species caused so much global destruction, which will seemingly lead to demise of livelihoods and impact our survival as a species. While according to the IPCC, there is a very short 11 year window to prevent the worst, climate change is not something coming, climate change is here. This is a self-imposed doom that we have all been party to. While, of course, we can place much of the blame on corporate greed and corrupt policymaking, as consumers we play a massive part. Instead of looking the other way, or to political leaders as saviors, the first step is to face down the real possibility that our inaction has resulted in an inevitable loss of contemporary life. 

2) The ‘improvements’ to the human race over the last century are the cause of the climate crisis. It is time to make some sacrifices.  

We, especially those in the Global North, refused to make material sacrifices over the last decades to save our planet. In the coming years, they will be forced upon us, and sadly, the greatest sacrifices will be made by those already most vulnerable. As someone who was born and raised in the UK and US to a financially secure situation, I have benefitted immensely from the fossil fuel intensive development that brought prosperity to many. If you are someone who has benefited in this way, please think about your role in this catastrophe, and use this reflection and recognition of your environmental privilege to guide your consumptive sacrifices. You disproportionately benefited and now is the time to make sacrifices. It may be ‘too little, too late’ but we owe it to those who do not have this privilege. 

 3) The psychological, philosophical, and emotional impact of this catastrophe will not be manageable for most. 

Humans are emotional creatures who are often driven by irrational responses and prefer to identify and find solace in an understanding of their place in the world, whether through religion, spirituality, or acceptance of the lack thereof. Many of us enjoy contemplating our philosophical role at this time and place in history. Yet none of us are prepared for or have fully come to terms with how our minds and bodies respond to this crisis. Not to mentioned, the uncertainty makes it that much more overwhelming. The scale and timeframe of climate change is so difficult for humans to get our heads around and that’s ok. Just because we can’t come to terms with the climate crisis does not mean we should look away. I argue that we should look closer and just as you want to turn away, keep looking. Some days, you will feel sad and overwhelmed, but other days, when you are stronger, you will be back ready to continue with the fight. My fear is that if you look away for too long, you won’t find the courage to return your gaze.  

 4) The media saturation is both harmful and necessary. 

As overwhelming as it may be, we need the media bombardment. We need to be reminded that for example July was the hottest month on record, the Amazon is burning, and Hurricane Dorian tragically took many lives. Is there risk of becoming numb to the climate catastrophe with each new headline? Sure, at times, when tragedies are reduced to numbers and happen to people in places that feel so distant, we may become desensitized and that’s ok. This absolutely happens to me. My trick is to relate what I read back to my own circumstances – to my family, my friends, my livelihood. We also need reporting that does this for us – that attaches the numbers to the personal stories, not just by showing a photo of a victim but by really humanizing the stories of those impacted.