RCL1: Environmental Rhetoric Lacks Sustainability

THE POLAR BEARS ARE DYING!!!

LARGEST LOSSES OF ARCTIC ICE EVER!!!

CLIMATE SCIENTIST SAYS THERE’S NO TIME LEFT!!!!

If you ever venture out onto the internet or read the news, you’ve likely come across headlines regarding climate change such as the ones above. Headlines of articles surrounding environmental issues are often defined by shock, fear, and pessimism.

Although environmental concerns are not something to be taken lightly, navigating the culture of fear that has been created around environmental news is dizzying, misleading, and anything but positive.

Many argue that the “Doomsday Scenarios” and insistent media magnifying the existential threat of climate change can lead to climate anxiety — stress and anxiety sprung about by the potential future effects of climate change. Some even argue that “doomsday-ism” is just as bad as climate denial.

Of course, many of the fears surrounding climate change are sound: the temperature of our planet is rising, the weather is becoming more unpredictable and extreme, and geographies across the globe are changing at an unprecedented rate. Yet those in power continue to ignore necessary steps towards a cleaner future.

So how can we effectively motivate larger powers to work towards solutions to climate change and environmental concerns while reducing the chaos and stress felt by millions?

Many of the solutions already exist:

Grassroots movements centered around communities help people to feel empowered against environmental issues rather than torn down by them.

Specific environmental causes aiming to lift up the voices of those most affected by a changing climate, such as people living in developing countries.

Surprisingly, even social media is used to facilitate positive engagement through optimistic rhetoric and posts centered around education, good environmental news, and constructive motivation for change.

Thankfully, optimistic perspectives on climate change are becoming more widespread amongst communities(in towns, in schools, and online), but it remains difficult to manage the frustration that comes with a lack of progress by larger powers.

In order to motivate larger bodies to act, we need to combat the negative and overwhelming rhetoric by replacing doomsday threats with uplifting and beneficial action. Community action may not seem like it has a large impact, but the even the smallest actions can blossom into something greater.

No matter what we do, negative rhetoric will never be completely eradicated; however, we can overcome it and drown out the anxiety-inducing headlines by doing what we can to help, and understanding that a clean future is still possible.