I've been involved with the climate movement most of my adult life, and have experienced burnout a number of times.
Right now I'm paying a lot of attention to geopolitical issues, particularly Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza and its bombing of neighbouring countries, and the west's support of Israel. It takes a huge emotional toll. It's also wreaking havoc on our environment -- huge emissions and destruction of habitat as well as people.
Diana, that's right. And besides Israel's genocide, Russia is enforcing a genocidal conflict on Ukraine still. When people are involved in warfare, they aren't concerned about toxic spills, emissions, or any other environmental issue. It's maddening.
Diana, Russia had troops in Ukraine only weeks after the Ukrainians had ousted Yanukovych in 2014. There may have been acts against Russian speakers in Ukraine during that time, but holy moly, Russia didn't give Ukraine much time to correct that before sending in tanks and troops!
War is just not the way to solve any conflict or problem.
I first became aware of climate change in July 1995, when I was a beginning journalist interviewing an academic scientist on what awaits us. She spoke about the first IPCC report (1990) and the impending release of the second IPCC report (December 1995). It was an eye-opener.
That interview and the subsequent research for my article got me started on getting informed on how we humans have cooked the Earth. Whatever I read now only reaffirms and supports what I learned 30 years ago.
I have come to expect that we humans will not do the little that is necessary to preserve the habitats and our ecosystems. We are strange animals, homo sapiens, ones that are so alientated from Nature and, I would add, from reality.
Perry, I've been corresponding with a friend who is trying to start a sustainability program where he works. Both of us are gobsmacked by how indifferent folks can be, these are people with families, who will have children and grandchildren contending with a world that we have cooked.
Reality. Yesterday I watched an interview the New York Times had with JD Vance, who could not bring himself to acknowledge that Trump lost the presidency. AUGHHH!!!!!!!!!
The idea that we are fixated on our grandchildren is way overblown. Most of us care only about ourselves and are incapable of empathy with other humans, even those we are related to. I am at a loss to explain that phenomenon. Many are far more concerned for the welfare of their pets than they are that of other human beings.
Great reflection here and I appreciate you calling out the burnout element of climate change. I'm certainly feeling that and I find it helpful to hear your vocalization of this issue.
I've been involved with the climate movement most of my adult life, and have experienced burnout a number of times.
Right now I'm paying a lot of attention to geopolitical issues, particularly Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza and its bombing of neighbouring countries, and the west's support of Israel. It takes a huge emotional toll. It's also wreaking havoc on our environment -- huge emissions and destruction of habitat as well as people.
Diana, that's right. And besides Israel's genocide, Russia is enforcing a genocidal conflict on Ukraine still. When people are involved in warfare, they aren't concerned about toxic spills, emissions, or any other environmental issue. It's maddening.
I see what's going on between Russia and Ukraine differently, Paul.
There was a CIA backed coup in Ukraine in 2014, and since then Russian speakers there have been brutalized.
Russia has been seeking peace agreements but the USA, the UK and Zelensky have refused to meaningfully negotiate.
Here's a link to an article from a source I trust. It won an award for the best coverage of Julian Assange, and I've found it trustworthy over many years. https://consortiumnews.com/2024/02/01/icj-rules-against-ukraine-v-russia-on-terrorism-mh17/
Diana, Russia had troops in Ukraine only weeks after the Ukrainians had ousted Yanukovych in 2014. There may have been acts against Russian speakers in Ukraine during that time, but holy moly, Russia didn't give Ukraine much time to correct that before sending in tanks and troops!
War is just not the way to solve any conflict or problem.
I agree that war is no way to solve problems. Neither are coups.
Thanks for writing about this, Paul. I have too much to say about it so I'll just leave it at: I believe we can do it.
Earth Hope, That's really the only attitude to have. We HAVE to work and succeed.
🏃🏻➡️🤸🏻♂️👍🏿👍🏽👍🏻
I first became aware of climate change in July 1995, when I was a beginning journalist interviewing an academic scientist on what awaits us. She spoke about the first IPCC report (1990) and the impending release of the second IPCC report (December 1995). It was an eye-opener.
That interview and the subsequent research for my article got me started on getting informed on how we humans have cooked the Earth. Whatever I read now only reaffirms and supports what I learned 30 years ago.
I have come to expect that we humans will not do the little that is necessary to preserve the habitats and our ecosystems. We are strange animals, homo sapiens, ones that are so alientated from Nature and, I would add, from reality.
Perry, I've been corresponding with a friend who is trying to start a sustainability program where he works. Both of us are gobsmacked by how indifferent folks can be, these are people with families, who will have children and grandchildren contending with a world that we have cooked.
Reality. Yesterday I watched an interview the New York Times had with JD Vance, who could not bring himself to acknowledge that Trump lost the presidency. AUGHHH!!!!!!!!!
The idea that we are fixated on our grandchildren is way overblown. Most of us care only about ourselves and are incapable of empathy with other humans, even those we are related to. I am at a loss to explain that phenomenon. Many are far more concerned for the welfare of their pets than they are that of other human beings.
Great reflection here and I appreciate you calling out the burnout element of climate change. I'm certainly feeling that and I find it helpful to hear your vocalization of this issue.