Why don't we care?

Concern about climate change shrinks globally as threat grows, survey showsFewer than half of those questioned in global poll believe climate change poses a ‘very serious threat’

Why Some Americans Do Not See Urgency on Climate ChangeAs the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, climate change remains a lower priority for some Americans, and a subset of the public rejects that it’s happening at all. To better understand the perspectives of those who see less urgency to address climate change, the Center conducted a series of in-depth interviews designed to provide deeper insight into the motivations and views of those most skeptical about climate change.

Climate change concern falls around the world even as situation worsens, study showsFewer than half surveyed in a global questionnaire believe that it poses 'a very serious threat'

The world is still falling short on limiting climate change, according to U.N. reportThe outlook for climate change is better now than a few years ago, but countries have a long way to go to avoid dangerous climate impacts, according to a new report.

Americans continue to have doubts about climate scientists’ understanding of climate changeThe share of Americans who say climate scientists understand very well whether climate change is occurring decreased from 37% in 2021 to 32% this year.

How to escape climate apathy | Psyche GuidesDo you recognise there’s a climate emergency, yet find yourself looking away? Here’s how to get motivated and take action now

Climate change apathy, not denial, is the biggest threat to our planet | Leo BarasiNow the public must be convinced to make sacrifices, says the author Leo Barasi

Is this how you feel?From 2014 to 2015 I approached the world’s leading climate scientists and asked them to respond to one simple question: How does climate change make you feel? Their responses were truly...

Talking to someone with climate apathyDoes it really matter if you have two baths per day and Uber Eats coffee, when celebrities are taking forty-minute flights in their private jets from one side of L.A. to the other?

Earth Day 2024 – Earth Day 2024 – Is concern and focus slipping on climate change? ...Apr 20, 2024 — " It is concerning that the expectation of individuals, government, and business to act to tackle climate change has fallen this year. Attention and concern is slipping away.

Why efforts to insure the world against climate change are falling flatVulnerable nations worry about pricey premiums, ineffective schemes and rich countries’ motivations.

76% of Ameicans believe they will have to make little or no sacrifices to their lifestyles because of climate change.

Exploring Human Apathy In The Film 'The Age Of Stupid'‘The Age of Stupid’ is an ambitious new Independent British green documentary. As a fellow filmmaker and activist, I salute director Franny Armstr

Understanding Apathy as a Response to Climate Change - Break The Divide FoundationCheyenne Sundance • November 23, 2023 Apathy, characterized by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, is a complex emotion that can be influenced by many things in relation to the climate crisis. In 2015, the researcher Renee Lertzman of the Great Lakes region in Wisconsin, found that underneath the apathy and lack of engaging...

Apathy kills in the climate emergency • Colorado NewslineHumans are facing the most dire threat to their existence since they appeared on the planet. Yet Americans aren't all that concerned. Why?

Parenting on EarthBeing parents and being human: building hope for our children in a fragile world.Environmental catastrophes, pandemics, antibiotic resistance, institutionali...

Apathy Might Cost Us the Planet | The Choate NewsGraphic by Kate Park ’27/The Choate News By Gopika Sheth ’27 Opinions Writer Imagine a world where the air is choked with pollution, the seas are littered with plastic, and the human race has vanished off the face of the Earth. We, unfortunately, don’t need to imagine this supposedly dystopianRead More

Worry about climate change and impact on functioning The graph shows the proportion of the sample reporting a negative impact on functioning from their feelings about climate change and various levels of worry about climate change.

Key points – How to escape climate apathy

Climate apathy is widespread. If you recognize the facts about the climate emergency, you’re anxious about what this means for the future of the planet and humanity, and yet you can’t muster the motivation to do anything about it – then you have climate apathy.
Acknowledge your difficult emotions. It’s tempting to suppress or avoid the painful emotions triggered by the climate emergency, but that won’t solve anything. To start overcoming your apathy, confront the feelings the climate emergency provokes in you.
Seek earned hope and find your people. While it’s important to face up to the seriousness of the situation, it’s also important to foster (realistic) hope that change is possible – finding like-minded movements and people can help with this, from the Sunrise Movement to Parents for Future.
Feed your imagination. To really fire up your motivation, don’t only consume scientific facts about climate change, but immerse yourself in relevant fiction too, including by authors such as N K Jemisin and Margaret Atwood.
Practise ‘timefulness’. Humans are prone to exceptionally short-term thinking. Zooming out to see our generation as part of a much bigger historical and geological picture can help to overcome this and bring home the seriousness of the climate emergency.
Re-connect with nature. Another way out of climate apathy is to rebuild your personal bond with nature. Put your phone away and really pay attention to the natural world.
Think of our children’s futures. If you can’t find the motivation to act on the climate emergency for yourself, do it for the children in your life. Thinking of them and their futures ought to give you a major motivational kick in the pants to help overcome your apathy.
Seek support and practise self-care. Beware climate- and eco-anxiety affecting your mental health in ways that risk tipping you back into the very situation you’re trying to escape. Seek help if you need it and give yourself permission to enjoy other core relationships and interests, to avoid becoming overwhelmed by climate grief.