I asked ChatGPT about Climate Optimism
+ 5 Tips for Becoming an Optimist In Action
One early morning this past week, I found myself in ChatGPT wanting to ask a question about myself and my work. It hit me that I’ve now spent numerous years trying to educate the world on the importance of climate optimism and I was wondering if it was landing. Was my message of the need to shift the narrative on climate change beginning to make sense?
Too curious not to, I typed in:
“What is climate optimism according to Anne Therese Gennari?”
This is what I received:
Climate optimism, according to Anne Therese Gennari, is the belief that positive and meaningful change is possible when it comes to addressing the challenges of climate change. It involves maintaining a hopeful and proactive outlook on the future, despite the serious environmental issues we face.
Climate optimism emphasizes the idea that individuals and communities have the power to make a difference and that collective efforts can lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.
Gennari's perspective encourages people to focus on the opportunities for change and the potential for a brighter, more sustainable future, rather than being overwhelmed by the negative aspects of climate change. It highlights the importance of taking action and making conscious choices to address environmental issues while maintaining a sense of hope and empowerment.
What do you think? What is climate optimism to you? There’s no right and wrong and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic! 😊
Five Tips for Becoming an Optimist in Action
In my book, I go into great detail about why optimism is important (from a neuroscience standpoint) and why we must keep nurturing an optimistic spirit in this climate work. More than anything, I hone in on my belief that optimism isn’t something you simply get to choose, but a committed state you have to continue to foster.
In other words, as a climate optimist you don’t choose optimism, you create it.
I call it being an Optimist In Action (OIA) and share five tips for becoming and remaining one.
Space. Slow down and start asking questions—to yourself, to others, and to your community. How can we unlearn and do better? Recognize that to change the world is to be willing to question what we know today.
Progress over perfection. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to do it all at once. Choose one thing you can change about your life today and then keep adding on. Grow with this journey.
Community. Remember you’re not alone. Positive actions in themselves are addictive, but positive actions with others become a movement. It’s hard to leave a movement, so find your tribe and have fun.
Maximize your footprint. Understand that humans belong in the cycle of life too. We’re not just the problem; it’s time to start recognizing how - in fact - we can be the solution. If we can move away from purely focusing on minimizing our negative footprint and instead look for ways to maximize our positive one, we can begin to see the role we really ought to play on Earth. *Composting is a simple way of becoming that positive footprint—you’re automatically reinserting yourself back into the cycle of life.
Self-care. Remember you’re only human. It’s okay to have good days and bad days, so give yourself a break. Just make sure you don’t make the breaks too long. Treat your optimism like any professional athlete would treat their sport, and you’ll soon be in top shape.
If you want the full guide on how to shift the narrative on climate change and find the courage to choose change, get your copy of The Climate Optimist Handbook today! *You find it online where you buy books
I also have a free master class for anyone who’s ready to activate the journey asap. I’ll link both below!
Updates lately:
“Anne Therese Gennari Literally Wrote the Book on Climate Optimism”
It was an absolute honor to be featured in Newsweek’s series Planet Heroes where I got interviewed about my work and the purpose of my book. I’m also thrilled that my Bruce Springsteen tattoo made it into the article since these very lines have inspired me since I was a little girl!
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to moderate a fireside chat with the wonderful Cambria Allen Ratzlaff from JUST Capital at a Reuters ESG event here in NYC. When researching and preparing for this conversation I learned a lot about the “S” part in ESG and what current challenges currently exist around disclosing these issues.
What fascinated me the most was learning how connected worker-related issues are to a company’s ability to successfully initiate sustainability practices. Because truly, our journey toward a climate-just and equitable world will only be as sustainable as we are. That is why the understanding of human capital and its value is so important – in all challenges we face.
Thank you Reuters Events for having me!
Our Mental Health Conversation is Live!
We decided to record our panel at the Mental Health & Climate Circle I co-hosted with fellow climate authors Tori Tsui and Britt Wray during Climate Week. When promoting the event many people reached out and asked it if would be available online so we decided to make it so!
If you’re interested in learning more about the various eco emotions, how they might be affecting our ability to take action, and tips for growing emotional resilience, I hope you tune in! You find the conversation on the Hey Change Podcast
Before we part ways…
New Numbers Are Out - Here's How the World Feels About Climate Change
Epson's global climate barometer reveals climate change as the top global concern and technology is seen as an enabler to solve the crisis.
“The world is acknowledging that climate change is one of the biggest and most challenging issues of our lives. And while we should be optimistic that action will lead to positive change, we must not let this optimism limit our actions, but inspire them," said Kendra Jones, chief legal and chief sustainability officer, Epson America. "We believe technology is part of the answer, but the solutions need to be affordable and collaborative."
If I did not believe we, we humans on earth, can learn to see us all as members of one human race on this little blue boat whirling through the universe together, capable of seeing our common plight and finally getting on the same page and doing something about it, I could not get up in the morning.