3 (and a half) Reasons for Climate Optimism

Why it might not be all bad

You can’t turn on the news these days without seeing deadly wildfires, devastating hurricanes or record-breaking temperatures making the headlines. The seemingly never-ending cycle of negativity makes it very easy to adopt the “well, we’ve really fucked this” mentality.

But, I believe that if you wade through the negativity (and there is a lot of it), and briefly set aside the overwhelming sense of existential dread, there are a few reasons to be optimistic on climate change.

#1. Everyone is talking about it

Climate change is everywhere. Everyone is talking about it. ‘Single-use’ was even awarded word of the year for 2018. This is an enormous step in the right direction.

A few years ago climate change was littered with buzzwords like sustainability, carbon footprint and emissions but the masses did not really know, or care, what they meant. Now, even with the leaders of the U.S and Brazil in denial of the science, it is at the forefront of the international agenda.

We are constantly gaining a better understanding of both the causes and the threats of a warming world, allowing people to become more informed and make more mindful choices.

Knowledge is a prerequisite for action.

The more people that know, and understand, the dangers of a changing climate, the more people can help to reverse our current troublesome trajectory.

#2. Attitudes are changing

For a long time, it seemed as though the main message for mitigating climate change was for everyone to drive an electric vehicle and turn vegan.

While the actions clearly do help, they require very large changes in lifestyle that people are either unwilling or unable to make. The majority of people, myself included, do not have enough spare cash to buy a Tesla and I think pushing such extreme changes has actually been detrimental to the cause.

We do not need an all or nothing approach — either drive an EV and cut out meat entirely or remain exactly the same — but rather an approach that incentivises and facilitates many people to make small changes. Just like in investing, the power of compounding will be our best friend in fighting climate change.

If most people can make small adjustments to their lives, the sum of these changes in terms of emission reductions will be far greater than if a few people make extreme changes.

We are already beginning to see this. There has been a rapid rise in the ‘flexitarian’ lifestyle, allowing people the flexibility to enjoy meat when they feel like it but also being happy to make other choices.

There is an ongoing war with single-use plastic. Countless campaigns have highlighted the devastating consequences on the ocean and marine life, and there has been support from major players. Here in the UK, supermarkets charge for plastic bags and the fee is set to double, and coffee shops are giving money off for anyone that brings a reusable cup to avoid unnecessary waste.

These are only small steps, but they are progress nonetheless.

#3. The Kids are the Future

New voices are emerging. We have seen a rapid rise in activism from the younger generation, a generation that is tired of the same rhetoric and ideas that have led us to where we are.

In December at COP 24 — the annual UN climate conference — one such activist stood out. 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg addressed the delegates in a speech that left most adults in the room feeling like they were the school kid.

She did not hold back when scolding the attendees for choosing popularity, financial gain and career progression over environmental and social progress. Her message was clear — this movement will not subside, and the children will not stand for their future being sacrificed for the benefit of the few.

“We have not come here to beg world leaders to care, you have ignored us in the past and you will ignore us again. We have come here to let you know that change is coming whether you like it or not. The real power belongs to the people.”

Every Friday she strikes from school to protest outside her parliament. This is a movement that has reached schools in Australia. She has even turned down the invitation to speak at high-profile events around the world because the air miles go far beyond her annual carbon budget, instead choosing to return to her weekly protest.

With this type of bravery and leadership from those who should not have to deal with such worries, it is difficult not to be optimistic. I have a feeling the kids won’t be backing down any time soon.

#3.5. Climate Science is Rapidly Evolving

So, this one is a bit of a stretch but hear me out.

A report released in October 2018 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provided the most thorough analysis of climate science ever. World leading experts provided insights and modelling for the future in a level of detail that was unthinkable a few years ago.

The highlights, if you can call them that, include the near total destruction of coral reefs, significant threat of flooding, heat extremes and increases to the loss of life associated with weather events.

This all sounds very pessimistic, so why is it included in the list?

Well, for the first time ever we have been shown the true consequences of what will happen without immediate, widespread action. There is absolute clarity about the devastation that will occur and almost every country will experience at least some of it.

This climate science will undoubtably be built upon in the future but also acts as a foundation for individuals, cities and countries to implement changes now.

The growing body of research also suggests, in detail, ways in which we can mitigate the impacts.

We are quite literally being given the problem and solution all in one.

All we have to do now is use that information to “avert a climate crisis that scientists say will cause greater economic, social and natural disruption than anything in humanity’s history”.

No pressure.