Kathleen Egan’s Post

Climate change described as a dangerous highway instead of a doomsday cliff is a much more effective metaphor. There are a series of exits and we need to get off the earliest one possible. The doomsdayers give a sense that it’s all too late so why bother anyway. This makes for a convenient rationalisation. There’s definitely a reason to bother. Do the best you can do we can reduce the impacts as much as possible. #climatechange #socialmarketing #moraldisengagement

This is worth a read, whether you're already active or still hoping to find a way to make a difference in battling our socioecological crisis. "A sense of despair is understandable, but it robs us of our agency, makes us vulnerable to mis- and disinformation, and prevents the radical collaboration we need. Doubt holds us back from taking bold action, which is why it is strategically seized upon by incumbents, who have invested millions of dollars (probably much more) in sowing uncertainty around the climate crisis and its solutions among the general public." Christiana Figueres puts it brilliantly. This is just what I needed. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand why some people choose to actively drive the collapse of our planets functions (even though I'm quite well versed in the complex behavioural patterns of my fellow species thanks to being to a social psychologist). This in turn adds to an increasing feeling of despair. We seem to be fighting the sort of malevolence, backed up by seemingly endless amounts of money, that feels impossible to conquer. Even if I haven't felt desperate to the point of giving up the fight, this article gives much needed inspiration to keep looking for the tools, skills and competencies, platforms and arenas - and most importantly, other people - I need and can use to strengthen my agency. #sustainability #ClimateCrisis #agency #StubbornOptimism

Christiana Figueres « While we grapple with the current lack of #PoliticalWill, and the abhorrent #inequities of the #ClimateCrisis, we can take some comfort that so many of those who are key to designing #OurFuture have heard #ClimateScientists’ urgent warnings and are channelling their spirit by taking #PositiveAction in response: think of the #engineers reforming our #grids, the #architects, the #SocialEntrepreneurs, the #RegenerativeFarmers restoring our #soil, the #LegalAdvocates, and the #MillionsOfPeople everywhere who are advancing #NewSystems of #Care, #Repair and #Regeneration. #StateOfClimate #Governments #Business #Education #GlobalChallenges #GlobalGoals #Leadership #Leaders #ClimateAction United Nations #WMO #UNEP

"Stubborn optimist" is my way of cooping with the increasing climate change and with decision makers not doing their job to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels. Christiana point at one thing that for many years has been my approach when working with scenario analysis to guide the energy transiton. We have the opportunity to shape the future. The future is not just something that happen, we can do something. It is not easy, but we have the opportunity to act and reduce the climate impact. This also makes the word 'uncertainty' tricky when approaching the future, we need to differ between what we can impact and what is given (and can come with uncertainties). Some takeaways from Christiana Figueres' article (not in her order): 💻 🔬 We also have the responsibility – and the opportunity – to shape the future differently. We must take stock of the science, triple down on our efforts and deploy the perspective of possibility. ⏰ 🥁 A sense of despair is understandable, but it robs us of our agency, makes us vulnerable to mis- and disinformation, and prevents the radical collaboration we need. Doubt holds us back from taking bold action, which is why it is strategically seized upon by incumbents, who have invested millions of dollars (probably much more) in sowing uncertainty around the climate crisis and its solutions among the general public. 🌞 🌬For example, what has been achieved in transforming the energy system to this point, pushing against a fossil fuel industry deliberately intent on delaying progress, and within a lacklustre policy environment, is extraordinary.

As we face daunting predictions about our climate, the wonderful Christiana Figueres reminds us that despair does not have to be our destiny. Despite the challenges, there's significant progress and countless opportunities for action. Is it enough? Of course not, but we can choose optimism and collaboration to drive transformative change. #ClimateAction #GlobalOptimism #Sustainability #ActNow

We exist to help people realise their power to take action on climate change. It may seem dark but we know there is immense hope. Let us help you to take action to secure a livable future for all. We highly recommend listening to the Outrage + Optimism podcast which helps us to embody the concept of stubborn optimism. 👊🏽💚 #climatehope #stubbornoptimism #climatechange

Unfortunately, in many conversations that deal with climate issues, I often hear the opinion that we are not experiencing climate change and that the upward trend in temperatures is more likely to be a short phase and that - as with the hole in the ozone layer a good thirty years ago - we will no longer have to discuss the issue in a few years' time. I personally disagree and would therefore like to share the following article by Bill McGuire: https://lnkd.in/eQnQSiG9

Climate change, it’s not a thing - really? We truly need to rethink infiltration of the net increase of the 2-year, 24-hour runoff event and post-dev must be less than the pre-dev runoff rate…… Smaller high intensity storms need review and precipitation data needs to exclude long past history.

The 10-year period from 1979 to 1989: the decisive decade when humankind first came to a broad understanding of the causes and dangers of climate change.

World’s top climate scientists expect global heating to blast past 1.5C target https://t.co/X0MDNAEc4S I've said this b4: #climateemergency is coming and a lot of outdated economic principles will crumble as a result. https://buff.ly/4abI3FO and https://buff.ly/3UWJG5X