Is it a privilege to get to live in this world?
An optimistic look at the latest IPCC report
The 6th assessment of the IPCC report is out and the truth is as straightforward as ever — humanity is set to blow past 1.5°C (2.7°F) of planetary warming by the early 2030s.
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But there’s still optimism to be found and I figured this might be the right place to explore what that optimism looks like. So let’s dive in.
It’s all about the ACTION
“The 1.5 degree limit is achievable, but it will take a quantum leap in climate action,” António Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, said [about the report].
And Guterres isn’t just speaking politics. His statement is deeply rooted in science:
The report makes clear that humanity’s actions today have the potential to fundamentally reshape the planet for thousands of years.
This has, obviously, always been true. The actions we take today shape our tomorrow, which has been the case in the past just as much as it is now. However, the need for urgency in these actions have never been so high.
That is why it’s so important to remember that although the report will look the same no matter who reads it, we’re not going to be reading the same report.
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What on Earth do I mean by that?
I mean that how you perceive these news will be greatly impacted by your already existing world views and beliefs.
I recently listened to this podcast on how beliefs shape reality and it explains that how we see the world, deeply affects how we end up living our lives. Our beliefs are not the consequence of our experiences. Rather, they are the lenses through which we see everything that happens to us.
In other words, the lenses through which we see the world, changes the world we see.
This means that some people will look at the IPCC report and think “Oh, we’re screwed, no point in even trying” and others will see it as an urgent and almost exciting call to action.
And here is where the optimism comes in.
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Because the truth is there is hope to be found but only if and when we act. Hope comes from action. Not the other way around.
“In a world that seems increasingly out of control, we are desperate for hope: real hope, a hope that acknowledges the full magnitude of the challenge we face and the very imminent risk of failure. Real hope also offers a chance of a more vibrant future; a glimpse, however distant, of something better than what we have today, not worse.
Where can we find such hope? We find it in action.”
For my longtime readers, you know I call it being an Optimist In Action. It’s an act of radical hope where you don’t just sit on the sidelines hoping for things to turn out, but you show up for the action and find the courage to say yes to change.
In doing so, you’re creating optimism from within and continue to give yourself reasons to believe in a different kind of world. You see that change is possible and in doing this, nurturing hope.
And that is why a better world is possible if - and only if - we say yes to change.
The report “is quite clear that whatever future we end up with is within our control,” said Piers Forster, a climate scientist at the University of Leeds who helped write one of the panel’s earlier reports. “It is up to humanity,” he added, “to determine what we end up with.”
Not Just Dire News
But not all the optimism is to be found in future actions. In fact, there were some really encouraging facts on what’s been done already to curb our emissions. Especially when it comes to the development of renewable energy:
Many of the most dire climate scenarios once feared by scientists, such as those forecasting warming of 4 degrees Celsius or more, now look unlikely, as nations have invested more heavily in clean energy. At least 18 countries, including the United States, have managed to reduce their emissions for more than a decade, the report finds, while the costs of solar panels, wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles have plummeted.
Here are some articles sharing positive lenses to the report:
So it seems we are on the right track after all, but not nearly in the right gear. If we are to actually have a chance of reaching our targets (a world within maximum of 2 degrees warming but preferably 1.5,) we have to pick up speed, and do it fast.
It will come down to attitude and how our beliefs shape reality.
Are you someone who sees the world as a safe and enticing place, full of possibilities? Then you may be one of those who show up and take action! But if you’re someone who thinks of the world as a scary and mechanic place where you can’t do much to impact its events and outcomes, chances are you’re inclined to give up.
I know it might seem simplistic, this idea that our perception of reality will determine not just the world as we not it now, but our future too. However, don’t be mistaken. We’re talking about our minds here and we should never forget how powerful a machine they are!
So, have a good look at yourself in the mirror today and remind yourself this:
“I have the opportunity to participate in the shift toward a better world. The time is now, and everything matters. I matter. What I do matters.
So, what can be done?”
It ultimately comes down to this — do you believe that it’s a privilege to get to live in this world? Well, then, what a beautiful reason to do all we can to save it!
If you’re interested in nerding out more on this topic, I highly recommend tuning into Hidden Brain - How Your Beliefs Shape Reality. And for a proper wrap-up of the IPCC report, I’ll hand it over to Katharine again, who always seems to hit the nail on its head!
Climate Optimism in New York
This Thursday I’ve been given the honor to host this incredible event Be the Drop that Shape the Wave, hosted by Waves of Change and FEMSA Foundation for UN 2023 Water Conference. The event is an art installation by Inma Barrero with the participation of more than 100 representatives of multiple stakeholders of the Americas such as Latin American artists, children from public and private schools in New York, and more.
Learn more and claim a ticket here.
Book Stuff
Last week I co-hosted a fireside chat on climate optimism and the importance of shifting narratives with Lisle Richards at his new sustainably focused restaurant, Isle of Us. It was truly inspiring to see how much this message resonated with everyone in the room and I hope to be doing many more of these intimate gatherings around the city.
(If you’re in New York (or nearby) and interested, reach out!)