It seems that no matter how we feel about the climate crisis, the outcome is inaction. Perhaps we might think that climate change is not as bad as it seems, or maybe that it doesn’t exist all. Or we might believe that we are already doomed, and there is really nothing we can do. Both denial and doom are a non-adaptive and self-centered ways to react to a radical crisis, because the time for action is now or never.
(It would be like going home from work and finding our house on fire, with our children in it. And instead of trying to stop the fire, save the children, and call the firefighters, we decide to just go on with our plans, because we cannot be bothered to drop what we are doing and react to the emergency. “Dinner and a movie, dear?”]
Even our governments and institutions seems to be paralyzed, because of denial, minimization, or just inability to find a meaningful course of action, which is very concerning. Our society seems unable to react to a serious crisis that requires a radical rethinking of the way we live and we relate to the environment and to each other.
Mainstream media (progressive and conservative) only report on the very tip of the iceberg of climate crisis, which is usually very bad news, making us feel even worse about a possible solution. But if you look more carefully, you’ll see that a lot of things are going on, and some of them are worth getting engaged in.
I’m learning as much as I can about regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and holistic management, farming practices that can increase carbon sequestration in the soil, and in the process restore soil health, make our food nutritious and clean again, and make us a better society.
Some are putting pressure on their institutions to break the spell of inaction.
In Sweden, 15-year old Greta Thunberg went on an extended school strike and has been showing up in front of the Stockholm parliament with a sign and a stack of flyers to demand action on climate change. She became a celebrity and other people joined her in the protest.
In London on October 31st, a group called Extinction Rebellion called for a protest in front of the British Parliament to demand action on climate action. About 1,000 people showed up and one hundred UK scientists wrote a letter in support of the protest; 15 people were arrested during the peaceful direct action.
Greta Thunberg was there too. She gave a 10-minute speech, Occupy style, that was direct, well-informed, and heartbreaking. Her words make so much sense, that the current lack of urgent action on the climate felt instantly surreal. It’s clear that the emperor has no clothes, and nobody will save us. Time to take the situation in our own hands.
Greta Thunberg’s speech in London during the Extinction Rebellion protest
Maybe these actions will not tilt the balance. But every action counts, and eventually the balance will tilt, if we continue to put pressure, stay informed, and use our strength, intelligence, and time to find and implement solutions.
But, first, if you are in the US, vote. It is the easiest and necessary action you can take right now. And that, also, will make a difference.