Climate Action
How to fight the climate crisis with individual actions
September 1, 2019
First, the nasty bit. A recent U.N.-backed report tells us we have 12 years to change our ways and make human living more sustainable; but BBC reports tell us we have less than 18 months. Then what? Floods? Droughts? Imminent death?
Facing this uphill battle, discussing climate change is pointless. The old the-world-is-ending-so-the-fight-is-hopeless narrative.
Now, wanna talk about how to fix it? Maybe not…
The question of why people close their ears and bury their heads in the sand is not a hard one to answer. You can try and use fancy words, psychological theories, magic voodoo… but the simple truth is that people don’t like being depressed.
No one wants to hear about the end of the world, especially those (few) of us who are lucky enough to live in a protective bubble of plentiful food and constant shelter. Though the discussion may seem morbid, change is possible.
A common misconception, and one that I shared until two weeks ago, is that the companies and governments are the only ones that can create change. Well, it’s true, any one man, woman or child may not have much power individually, but collectively, we do.
We need to cling on to stories of hope and then use them to create your own. Here are just a few of the many ways you can create your own stories:
- Plant trees
- Educate others
- Vote for politicians who protect the environment
- Eat less meat
- Fly less
- Email your local MP demanding changes
- AND STRIKE!
This September 20–27 is the Global Climate Strike. Find a place to strike near you and tell your leaders that you demand climate action.
Most importantly, do not give up. If you are still reading, clearly you care. Make others care but also don’t feel like you are alone. Find social media pages of change and hope.
