What's more effective in climate communications? A fear-based or positive approach? Climate psychologist Jessica Kleczka and I decided to create a reel on the topic to shed some light on a very important but overlooked topic! 🧠 *** Climate communications is often a topic of debate, with many advocating for more positive framing, while others insist that people must be scared into action.
We could all choke on the negativity and doom and gloom coming our way constantly. That is why I am standing for restoring our climate, not just getting to net zero or continuing our transition to renewable energy sources. We can actually restore our atmosphere to preindustrial levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, to return us to the atmosphere we and all life on our planet currently has thrived in. And living toward the future we want, in action, using our voice, our caring and lifestyles to stand for a future our children will thrive in! This to me is the postive direction, that will make the difference for all of us, including generations to come! Check out f4cr.org or check out https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LpaxdcFb4UyWwOwoWzqFXVqUN2LTMr8CJzL5G573RB8/edit?usp=sharing, 10 Reasons to be Optimistic about the Climate.
It's a funny thing--we're wired to go toward what we pay attention to. When we're totally focussed on the awfulness...it's hard to focus on remedies.
What most of us want, but are afraid to even consider since it doesn't seem possible, is restoring a historically safe climate, meaning one that humans have actually survived long-term. It's close to pre-Industrial.Finally, there's a growing movement to do just that.
Restoring a safe climate for our children and future generations means getting to net-zero AND removing about a trillion tons of CO2 from the air--safely, swiftly, and affordably.
Nature shows us how it can be done. Nature ramps up photosynthesis in the ocean and pulls out about a trillion tons of CO2 regularly, leading up to ice ages. In addition, she packs away most of the CO2 on earth in limestone—built from the shells and bones of sea creatures. We can now make synthetic limestone—and literally build and pave with CO2. It’s already happening.
These and other natural-process climate restoration solutions are demonstrated, safe, low-cost, and could soon be ready to go—they’re just not well known.
Good to hear! I'm new to Substack but liking it here.
Would you like a guest post on climate restoration? Or a particular aspect? Fits with your optimism and becoming more mainstream, with climate restoration goals now announced by MIT, the Bezos Earth Fund, the Department of the Interior....
We definitely need more visions of the deliciously sustainable future we can create together not just the climate hell we want to avoid. Reading similar psychological insights to the ones you and Jessica mention is what inspired us to start SolarPunk Stories. Well done to you both for sharing this
Exactly, and I'm so grateful for SolarPunk and all the deliciousness you put out! We need a goal to strive FOR, not just a stick to avoid, and finding the balance in that is essential!
I wholeheartedly agree that positive messaging is more effective. In my work, I never let someone walk away feeling like there is no hope or without giving them concrete examples of what is being done to solve environmental issues. :)
We could all choke on the negativity and doom and gloom coming our way constantly. That is why I am standing for restoring our climate, not just getting to net zero or continuing our transition to renewable energy sources. We can actually restore our atmosphere to preindustrial levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, to return us to the atmosphere we and all life on our planet currently has thrived in. And living toward the future we want, in action, using our voice, our caring and lifestyles to stand for a future our children will thrive in! This to me is the postive direction, that will make the difference for all of us, including generations to come! Check out f4cr.org or check out https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LpaxdcFb4UyWwOwoWzqFXVqUN2LTMr8CJzL5G573RB8/edit?usp=sharing, 10 Reasons to be Optimistic about the Climate.
Thank you for sharing this amazing resource!!
It's a funny thing--we're wired to go toward what we pay attention to. When we're totally focussed on the awfulness...it's hard to focus on remedies.
What most of us want, but are afraid to even consider since it doesn't seem possible, is restoring a historically safe climate, meaning one that humans have actually survived long-term. It's close to pre-Industrial.Finally, there's a growing movement to do just that.
Restoring a safe climate for our children and future generations means getting to net-zero AND removing about a trillion tons of CO2 from the air--safely, swiftly, and affordably.
Nature shows us how it can be done. Nature ramps up photosynthesis in the ocean and pulls out about a trillion tons of CO2 regularly, leading up to ice ages. In addition, she packs away most of the CO2 on earth in limestone—built from the shells and bones of sea creatures. We can now make synthetic limestone—and literally build and pave with CO2. It’s already happening.
These and other natural-process climate restoration solutions are demonstrated, safe, low-cost, and could soon be ready to go—they’re just not well known.
I'd love to speak with you about this, and also urge your readers to find their way to FoundationforClimateRestoration.org.
Thank you for all your knowledge on this Peter!! Not sure if you're aware but I've referenced your work a couple of times in my book!
Good to hear! I'm new to Substack but liking it here.
Would you like a guest post on climate restoration? Or a particular aspect? Fits with your optimism and becoming more mainstream, with climate restoration goals now announced by MIT, the Bezos Earth Fund, the Department of the Interior....
I would love a guest post Peter! How about something like "Climate Optimism in Science -- How to reach net-zero...and far beyond!"
Welcome to Substack :)
We definitely need more visions of the deliciously sustainable future we can create together not just the climate hell we want to avoid. Reading similar psychological insights to the ones you and Jessica mention is what inspired us to start SolarPunk Stories. Well done to you both for sharing this
Exactly, and I'm so grateful for SolarPunk and all the deliciousness you put out! We need a goal to strive FOR, not just a stick to avoid, and finding the balance in that is essential!
Amen to that sister 🙏🏽
I wholeheartedly agree that positive messaging is more effective. In my work, I never let someone walk away feeling like there is no hope or without giving them concrete examples of what is being done to solve environmental issues. :)
Thank you for getting it and for being so intentional with that approach in your work. People like you make me hopeful about our future!
Likewise Anne!!