"At this point, only Putin can save us by threatening the West with nuclear strikes if they don’t go net zero soon! They jumped for every other threat..."
- ADAPTATION-GUIDE
Ten years ago, President Obama embarked on a monumental task: convincing Americans that climate change wasn't just another distant problem but a looming catastrophe that required immediate action.
He might as well have been trying to convince a cat to take a bath.
In 2014, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that only 40% of Americans saw climate change as a major threat. Compare that to more than 70% of Japanese citizens who got it. Even Europeans were far more concerned, with majorities in countries like Italy, Spain, France, and Germany acknowledging the risks.
Meanwhile, Americans were more worried about Islamic extremism, financial instability, and—of course—nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea. But the environment? Meh, it barely registered.
Fast forward to 2024, and not much has changed. Despite overwhelming evidence that our planet is heating up faster than a teenager’s TikTok feed, Americans remain stubbornly indifferent.
Climate change is still not at the top of the list of concerns. Why? Is it ignorance? Is it denial? Or is it something more deeply rooted in our biology?
Enter the book "Minding the Climate: How Neuroscience Can Help Solve Our Environmental Crisis," which sheds light on this very issue. It turns out that our brains are hardwired for short-term survival, not long-term planning.
Our ancestors didn’t need to worry about rising sea levels; they were too busy not getting eaten by saber-toothed tigers. So, our decision-making evolved around immediate, tangible rewards. Hunt, gather, eat, repeat.
Now, let's talk climate change—something so complex and distant that it’s like asking our brains to solve a Rubik’s cube while juggling flaming swords.
We can’t see CO2 levels rising in the atmosphere. We can't feel the planet warming (until it's too late). And when we drive our gas-guzzling SUVs or fly off on a jet for a vacation, the rewards are immediate and visible—comfort, convenience, and maybe a few Instagram-worthy photos.
But the consequences? Invisible, far-off, and seemingly unrelated to our daily lives.
The real kicker is that the very things causing climate change—fossil fuels—are also deeply embedded in our economic and social systems. They’ve made life easier, and they’ve made some people incredibly wealthy. Trying to convince those in power to dismantle the very system that’s filled their coffers? Good luck with that.
Education isn’t helping either. While climate science is more accessible than ever, putting a price tag on education has created a society more focused on short-term financial gains than long-term sustainability. And don’t even get me started on book banning—because, apparently, knowledge is dangerous now.
The media, CEOs, shareholders, and conservative politicians haven’t exactly been cheerleaders for climate action. Instead of training our brains for the necessary change, they’ve been busy sowing doubt, protecting profits, and deflecting responsibility.
So here we are, 2024, with a planet in crisis and a public still mostly indifferent. As Vice President Harris and Governor Walz step into leadership roles, they face a Herculean task. They must somehow rewire our collective brain to prioritize the future of our planet over the comforts of today.
But let’s be honest—until we figure out how to make the fight against climate change as rewarding as scrolling through social media or buying the latest gadget, we’re in for a rough ride.
Good luck, Harris and Walz. You’re going to need it.
Happy Labor Day
No comments:
Post a Comment