Why don't we care?
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.
76% of Ameicans believe they will have to make little or no sacrifices to their lifestyles because of climate change.
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.