The climate crisis

Despite the multitude of scientific evidence available that proves otherwise, many individuals around the world still do not believe the climate change exists. Some believe that climate change is simply a part of a natural cycle, some believe the models used to measure climate change are unreliable, some believe it’s just not that bad and still others believe it’s just a big conspiracy.

For years, scientists have tried to debunk the claims of deniers, only for them to be rehashed over and over again. There are multiple kinds of climate denial, and more often than not, even sincere, reasonable individuals engage in it. Scientists suggest that there are some cognitive and psychological factors that predispose modern humans to deny the scale and scope of the impending (and ongoing) climate crisis. Even if humans consciously believe in its existence, subconsciously, certain cognitive factors have an impact on the effectiveness of communication regarding climate change, driving potential climate change denial. Not only do humans partake in such denial in regard to climate change, we do so when faced with other crises too. We simply ignore them and continue to participate in activities that worsen the crises we hope to avoid.

One cognitive barrier human’s face is that because climate change is often portrayed as occurring in the future, we tend to tell ourselves that environmentalists will have solved the issue by then. It portrays climate change to be a far-away, abstract issue that does not demand immediate attention; when in reality, the effects of climate change are already underway and according to trends, will further worsen during our lifetimes.

Dissonance is another cognitive factor scientists believe is a key reason for climate change denial. Due to the fact that there is not much concrete action that most people can or are willing to take on a daily basis to reduce the effects of climate change, they tend to tell themselves that it must not be such a pressing issue. In order to address this dissonance, climate change is downplayed and leads to denial. Moreover, individuals start to create their own stories about how climate change is actually caused by something out of humans’ control, manifesting their fear and denial of climate change.

Another cognitive barrier that propagates climate change denial is political worldview. Many accept or deny the existence of climate change based on political affiliation. Many tend to rely on their own interpretation and political ideology of climate change rather than on the facts presented by numerous scientists. Therefore, it is likely that an individual will carry the popular values of their political affiliation, regardless of their personal beliefs. Believing in capitalism, for example, also propagates climate change denial as it is capitalist practices that destroy ecosystems in order to use natural resources as public goods.

Naomi Klein, a Canadian author, social activist and filmmaker, who recently published her book, This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate, often states that if we start to not only believe in the existence of climate change and its disastrous impacts, but begin to take action to reduce

its effects, humanity could become substantially better as a result. Not only would doing so save us from the effects of climate change itself, but it would make the international society a safer and more equal place for all.

We, as humans, can, and should, use this impending crisis to change out world and its systems for the better. By instilling an optimistic, “it’s only uphill from here”, mindset in our community and those around us, we can begin to think about the possibility of improvement rather than the effects of the crisis if nothing is done to stop it. Not only environmentalists, but all progressives, should focus on the positive possibilities the fight against climate change presents. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to take action to make our world a better place for ourselves, because the alternative is not an option.

The fight for climate change can lead to the decrease of inequality worldwide as it has the potential to result in a fairer distribution of resources. The resources needed to cut down fossil fuel use could pull a multitude of communities out of poverty by providing them with resources and services that they currently lack. It could lead to the most democratic model the world has seen yet by re-establishing true democracies that are not influenced by the corporate sector or the equal distribution of essential services.

Most climate scientists are optimistic and believe that humanity will find a way to avoid negative impacts of climate change, because we must. When faced with inevitability, humanity seems to come up with ways in which the inevitable can be avoided. The climate crisis can be a galvanizing force for humanity to build better societies and by forging new relationships with the natural environment, societies can hope to increase sustainable practices and reduce the effects of climate change.