10 Great Ways to Ignore the Climate Crisis

Did you see our poster?

Yes, it’s really fucking sarcastic. Let’s get that out of the way first. In reality, we all need self-care and rest, but we also need to ensure that we are taking breaks from meaningful efforts to make things better, not taking breaks from ignoring the many catastrophes unfolding all around us.

We here at Climate Pledge Collective know how to enjoy leisure and the good life. We published an entire blog series called “Low Carbon Luxury” about the plentiful, but modest, luxuries of a minimalist lifestyle.

The question is whether we’re practicing wellness to treat anxieties that we refuse to face? Or in order to put ourselves into a resilient headspace so that we can confront the things that make us anxious?

Is despair really a problem in the same way that mindless shopping is? Perhaps despair is a problem in the opposite way, but with the same results. Pretending climate change isn’t a problem will lull us into inaction, but pretending there’s no solution will have the same effect.

Yes, we have already lost the fight against climate change. Yes, thousands have died in heat waves and floods and thousands more will die in the future. But we can still choose HOW MUCH WE LOSE BY. Climate change isn’t an all or nothing, pass or fail problem. Even if we never get to zero emissions, reducing emissions, even by fractions will slow the relentless heat and keep our ecosystems stable longer. The choices we make today will save thousands, if not millions, of lives.

As someone who spent the 2010s wrestling with ever-increasing climate anxiety, I can also say that taking action feels good. You will meet good people and you will feel pride and satisfaction. Plus a meal at a fancy restaurant feels so much better when you’ve earned it.

Hopefully we’ve made the case that we understand the instinct to hide from modern society’s looming catastrophes but you should still ignore that instinct and join the difficult work of saving what we can. If so, you can read our blog on 10 ways to take action. If not, maybe you’ll come around in time.