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.
Thank you for your needed thoughts Phil. I couldn't agree more and if I may add -- it doesn't stop there! We also have to address the biodiversity issue (yay to recent wins on that front), the social justice issue, gender equality, schooling, and... all of the above! A truly sustainable world is only possible if we work for wins on all those fronts and luckily, win in one usually automatically means progress on the others as well. So let's keep fighting for it all!
Thanks, and nice to meet you Anne. Your positive energy is an inspiration.
In my mind at least, there is a meaningful and important difference between projects to improve society, and those needed to save civilization, so that we may keep on improving. So naturally, I applaud your focus on climate change.
Thanks! My relationship with optimism is more complicated than yours, as best I can tell. I'm unsure how much of that complication I should share here, and elsewhere. Anyway, I'm subscribed to your blog, so I'll be in the loop whatever you do next.
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.
Thank you for your needed thoughts Phil. I couldn't agree more and if I may add -- it doesn't stop there! We also have to address the biodiversity issue (yay to recent wins on that front), the social justice issue, gender equality, schooling, and... all of the above! A truly sustainable world is only possible if we work for wins on all those fronts and luckily, win in one usually automatically means progress on the others as well. So let's keep fighting for it all!
Thanks, and nice to meet you Anne. Your positive energy is an inspiration.
In my mind at least, there is a meaningful and important difference between projects to improve society, and those needed to save civilization, so that we may keep on improving. So naturally, I applaud your focus on climate change.
Nice to meet you too! I hope you stick around for lots more optimism to come :)
Thanks! My relationship with optimism is more complicated than yours, as best I can tell. I'm unsure how much of that complication I should share here, and elsewhere. Anyway, I'm subscribed to your blog, so I'll be in the loop whatever you do next.