Why the heatwaves (unfortunately) will not lead to more climate action. Unless...

Let's talk about the most important psychology of our times!

Extreme heatwaves are sweeping the globe, and people are waking up to what climate change truly means — in its current shape and form. Not what’s going to happen to life on our planet in 100 years, but what our lived experience is going to be like right now.

Now, we’re all asking,

“Is this the wake-up call we’ve been waiting for? Will people finally realize that climate change is here, and it needs addressing?”

Well... most likely not. And it’s important we talk about it! Let’s look at the most overlooked psychology when it comes to climate change and our ability to act for a sustainable world.

The Call for Normalcy

When people suffer extreme events (whether it be a storm, wildfire, or extreme heat), there’s a psychological response to seek normalcy. Both individual and communal focus becomes on surviving and “getting back to baseline.”

We’ve seen this happen again and again, where cities wiped out by storms or fires spend their full focus getting the community back to normal. When you’re “in it”, so to speak, it’s hard for the brain to look at the bigger forces at play or think about the long-term effects of what this might lead to.

This is an excerpt from George Marshall’s book, Don’t Even Think About It:

“The pain and loss of the event generates an intensified desire that there be a “normal” to which one can return, making it even harder for people to accept that there are larger changes underway. The decision to stay, rebuild, and reinvest in that normality is accordingly validated by the community.”

And then there’s the Shifting Baseline Syndrome…

“Generational amnesia” or “shifting baseline syndrome”, as it’s also called, are terms used to explain our literal shift in perception of what’s normal and to be expected. Whether it be species count, climate, or the degree to which tech plays a part in our lives – once we get used to something new, it’s easy to forget how things were in the past.

👉🏼 We’re living through the “boiling frog” scenario. We simply don’t know to get out because the boiling is happening gradually.

These are just a few examples of why people who live through extreme weather events and disasters often don’t result in new climate allies. And for those who do wake up to their climate calling, other factors come into play…

Photo by Gary Bendig on Unsplash

Focus Fades.

Many people do feel “awoken” to the realities of our climate crisis. With this kind of heat, it’s hard not to! And for those who have been concerned for years, old fears might resurface when the lived experience becomes a bit too real.

However, chances are that as soon as things get back to normal, that desire fans out or gets replaced by more immediate concerns – like a job, relationship, or other life-related event.

That, or you might feel confused, overwhelmed, or disempowered as to what to do, or where to start. You begin to ask yourself, “Does it even matter? Do my actions matter?”

This is all normal, and please do not give up hope yet! There was an “unless” attached to the equation, so let’s get to the empowering part.

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The real reason climate momentum fails

The reason climate action fails to gain momentum is that we’re acting from the wrong narratives. If we’re always coming at it from a fear-based narrative, we’re going to continue to run into mental and psychological roadblocks that hold us back.

Trying to stay committed from fear of the future we don’t want is like putting on blinders. All we can focus on is the cause of the fear (a warming planet), and – paired with a lack of agency – we grow paralyzed in the face of it all.

👉🏼 The “What am I to do about it anyway?” kicks in. And it’s so valid!

This has nothing to do with our actual ability to meet these challenges, and everything to do with how our brains process and respond to information! We CAN do something about our warming planet, and most importantly – we DO have sustainable solutions ready to be activated.

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

3 Critical Shifts

So, could lived experience of a warming world lead to action instead of complacency and despair? Yes, absolutely — and it starts with shifting the narratives. We must recognize that there are different ways to show up, and that for the longest time, we’ve failed to understand the psychology that holds us back.

So if you’re someone who genuinely cares for making these days count in ways you barely knew possible, make these three shifts right now. 👇🏼

1) Shape the narrative that will sustain you.

We won’t always be living through extreme, sufferable events (thank goodness), and if fear is your main driver, your commitment to climate action will ebb and flow.

Instead of acting because you’re afraid of where we’re going, find reasons to show up for CHANGE because you genuinely believe better ways are possible.

Your main source of continuous commitment becomes one of curiosity and excitement, and your actions get forward motion, instead of being stuck in fearing change.

2) Come at it from joy – while holding space for all the other feelings too.

A big mistake we make as “activists” is that since we were inspired to take action from a place of fear, anger, or despair (which is normally how we get involved in the first place), we believe we must return to that feeling to stay committed.

If I’m no longer angry with the world, am I still committed to change it?

This narrative both holds us back and blocks our ability to think creatively, trust in change, and take action upon bold ideas for a better world.

👉🏼👉🏼 Our mission isn’t to fight the old world, but to passionately build a new one. So although your feelings are real and valid, find ways to channel your drive into what will sustain you and your work – while inspiring others alongside you!

3) Play the turtle game.

There is a lot of urgency talk around climate change, but the doomsday clock doesn’t always serve us. Especially not when it comes to tending to our frail nervous systems and operating in a world filled with uncertainty, stress, and noise.

So instead of panicking about all that needs to happen, find your turtle game. Find the thing you will keep showing up for that will (inevitably) win the race in the long run.

The world doesn’t need a lot of panicked chickens. We need committed turtles that will keep their eyes on the target ahead. So ask yourself...

• What lights you up? Or what concerns you enough to get involved and take action?

• What are the skills, qualities, and passions you can bring to the table?

• If you ditched the “responsibility” narrative, what is the OPPORTUNITY you can show up for to create positive change?

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Here for the long game!

This is NOT a time to give in to defeat...

👉🏼 It’s a time to replace overwhelm with agency and empowered action.

With 20 years of committed climate action behind me, I know a thing or two about what it means to not just keep showing up, but to shape the narratives that sustain us.

If you’re looking for practices of optimism in uncertain times – the kinds that will build a beautiful life while you partake in the most exciting shift humanity has ever gone through – I hope you stick around!

Let’s build an even more awesome world, people!

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New On The Podcast:

This week, I sit down with award-winning journalist and long-term activist Melissa Jun Rowley to talk about the true power stories have on our lives and how to reclaim that power.

This is a line from her new book (Beyond The Mic Drop) that I love so much:

Every culture is sustained by the stories it repeats. Every institution is reinforced by the stories it rewards. And every life is guided by the stories it accepts as true.

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Upcoming Event

I’m so excited to share that I’m hosting a 3-hour creative workshop at The Mount (Edit Wharton’s old house) on August 6th. It’s on Reshaping our Relationship with the Future and together we’ll explore the quiet power we hold not only to envision different futures, but to practice showing up in ways that allow them to take shape.

I would love to see you there!! More info and registration to be found here.