What is climate optimism?
Thanks for asking.
All week long, we're looking into 10 new terms and concepts that are certain to be on everyone's lips in 2023.
With all the gloomy headlines we see about climate change, it can be hard not to feel helpless.
We've talked about eco-anxiety before on Do You Really Know? and it's real.
A survey published in the Lancet in December 2021 found that 75 of young people thought the future was frightening.
But others are preaching a more positive outlook, with cautious climate, optimism looking set to be a trend in 2023.
While our fears around the climate crisis are justified and useful, if they paralyse us out of doing anything, those feelings of hopelessness are inevitable.
Psychologists call it learned helplessness.
In the same way that we can learn to be helpless, we can also learn to be more optimistic and believe that our actions can make a difference.
The climate optimist message for 2023 is that we shouldn't completely give up on the future, while we can still have a say in how things play out.
Of course, what we read in the media affects our outlook, which is why climate optimists are trying to highlight stories that show progress.
What cause is there for optimism?
Prior to 2015 and the Paris Agreements, we were looking at 4 degrees Celsius warming by the end of the 21st century, compared to pre-industrial times.
Now we're on track for 3 degrees, but if current pledges are met, that would drop to 2 degrees.
OK, that's still not good enough, which is why the target of under 1.5 degrees was set.
Current forecasts say that sadly now looks unachievable, but the very worst climate consequences should be avoided.
Every fraction of a degree counts and could help save lives.
And it seems that governments around the world are taking action.
For example, US President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022.
Along with other recent acts, it allocates over $500 billion to moving away from fossil fuels.
China, the world's biggest carbon emitter, has seen emissions drop by 3% year on year.
That might not sound like a lot, but it accounts for a 230 million ton difference, according to Carbon Brief.
In many places, renewable energies like solar power and wind power are now cheaper than fossil fuels.
Electric vehicles are also more affordable.
What are the arguments against climate optimism?
While some progress has been made, there's also a good case to say it's too little too late.
After all, carbon emissions are still growing and will likely only peak around 2030.
We may be able to avoid disastrous consequences in the Western world, but what about the Global South?
We've already seen a lot of extreme weather events and temperature records in recent times, which will only get worse.
Even 1.5 degree warming would lead to irreversible climate tipping points.
Carbon bomb projects are still being created and funding, despite International Energy Agency warnings.
And, to top it all off, the UN's climate conferences have failed to lead to the kind of commitments needed.
There's every reason to be worried and angry about climate change.
But climate optimists say that won't do anything to address it.
They suggest one of the best ways to have an impact is to convince family and friends to take the issue seriously and vote accordingly at elections.
Why not get involved in politics and activism yourself too?
Post about climate change on social media or donate to climate causes.
There you have it.
Now you know what climate optimism is.
In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines.
Listen along and you will really know for sure.
