We Can Do It - The Science of Optimism Says So
As I mentioned briefly in a previous issue, We Don’t Have Time launched a new global campaign during COP27 called #WeCanDoIt.
The call to action is simple:
“We, the undersigned, are the impatient optimists among business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, disruptors, innovators, scientists, influencers, and policymakers worldwide.
We believe that our destiny is still in our hands. We believe that we need to get away from the blame game and the narrative of doom and gloom, and understand that we still hold in our grasp the power to create a greener, cleaner, and brighter tomorrow.”
Naturally, this aligns with everything I believe in, so yes, I signed. (Want to sign too? Click here!) But is it really that simple? Can a campaign like this have any substantial impact or is it rather just a slogan to make ourselves feel better as we tag along?
As a professional climate optimist, my answer is YES. Simple but empowering messages like these work. And all we need is a quick look into neuroscience to understand why.
The “Yes We Can” Effect and Why It Works
You’re probably familiar with the story of an American president that boldly announced to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. At the time when John F. Kennedy spoke those words, NASA was not even close to making that vision a reality. Yet they did it, they put a man on the moon, and the world lived on to remember this historical moment.
It may have seemed crazy, but that “crazy” became true.
We need to create A LOOOOT of crazy history in the years to come. We need to rethink society, reimagine business, and boldly envision a life that is not only greener, but better. A lot of changes are necessary and we have fairly little time to put them in place.
Scary or exciting? That’s up to you to decide, but history — and neuroscience — tell us that the right attitude might make the seemingly impossible, possible.
Why We Are Optimistic
To understand why a positive attitude is important, let’s ask ourselves why we have optimism, to begin with. Believe it or not but 84% of us are actually optimistically biased, meaning we think of the future as more favorable than it actually turns out to be.
Why on Earth do we do that? Doesn’t it just lead to disappointment?
Great question! But let’s move on to think about why we actually have the ability to be optimistic. Because as a species, we’re pretty alone in that regard.
Optimism, evolutionary-wise, is fairly new. Thanks to our frontal cortex (the most recently developed part of the human brain, which you find right behind your forehead) we can think about things that haven’t happened yet (i.e. the future.) Furthermore, we can have expectations of that future. In other words — believe that the outcome of our actions will be either good or bad. And as studies show — 84% of us tend to lean towards the “good” side.
But why are our brains developed to act this way?
Because the belief itself is necessary for action!
Think about it — if you didn’t think your cooking would put something yummy on the table, why even bother cooking, when you can order in? If you didn’t think you had a chance at landing the job of your dreams, why spend all those hours studying? And if you didn’t think there was a chance she says yes, why even bother mustering the courage to ask her on a date in the first place?
What am I trying to say here is that, simple as it seems — optimism drives action!
But not only does optimism allow us to trust and take action. Studies have shown that life tends to favor those with an optimistic spirit. In fact:
"People who are optimistic are 40% more likely to get a promotion in the next year compared to their pessimistic counterparts.”
If optimism enhances our chances by 40%, how is it not the most important thing we have in our toolbox? If a reminder like “We Can Do It” spurs the courage to try, the inspiration to keep going, and the important reminder that it’s been done in the past, why are we not shouting it from the rooftops?
To put it simply — optimism is important and in these crazy times, maybe more important than we know. However, that doesn’t mean that being an optimist comes easy, let alone staying optimistic with all the negative news circling around!
For that, you need consistent commitment. You need to participate in the action and say yes to change. You need to practice questioning what you know and find joy in seeking new answers. And lastly, you need a community of others who believe too, who aren’t afraid to question the status quo alongside you, and who will help you show up for the change.
So let’s do that. Today, tomorrow, and all the crazy years to come.
We Can Do It!
I helped celebrate the launch of this campaign by showing up virtually during COP27. Watch a clip of my speech here.
Climate Optimism
In a historic move, Los Angeles bans new oil wells, phases out existing ones — LA Times
Prince William Shares Why He's A 'Stubborn Optimist' About Our Planet's Future — Huffington Post
COP27: six reasons to be optimistic about the climate summit — Positive News
TAKE ACTION
Urge world leaders to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030!
Optimism seems a healthy state of mind for the individual, whether or not optimism can be justified in the grand scheme of things. And, a healthy state of mind is a necessary asset in making improvements to the larger picture beyond ourselves. So far, so good...
In regards to that larger picture, to be sustainable optimism also needs to be grounded in a realistic assessment of the situation. On the subject of climate change it's encouraging to see so many good people getting involved, and climate change denial dying the death it deserves. So thumbs up for that!
However, to be grounded in a realistic assessment of the situation we need to consider the whole situation, and not just climate change. This is where it becomes harder to be optimistic. Here's why...
While it's fashionable these days to applaud ourselves for escaping climate change denial, we are still deep in denial on an even more pressing threat, nuclear weapons. It seems wise to keep in mind that it's possible that we could achieve a 100% success in managing climate change, and still see our civilization collapse in minutes without warning.
There are many things we can do about climate change, both as individuals and as a society, and many things are already being done, so there is room for optimism regarding the climate change threat. On the other hand, after 75 years nobody has a clue what to do about nuclear weapons, not a clue. And the thing is, we have to successfully address BOTH of these threats, because a failure in either case would render success in the other case irrelevant.
What is the proper state of mind for considering such Biblical scale threats? I don't claim to know. Despair and defeatism obviously isn't the answer. But by some method or another we need to truly conquer nuclear weapons denial with the same enthusiasm that we fight climate change denial. Winning on just one front won't be enough.