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This is easier to digest and accept if you don’t live in one of the areas already impacted by climate change. When you are actually experiencing the effects the reality of it is in your face and hard to tune out.
OP, just do what you can on an individual level and try to relieve your anxiety. It will take major, massive change to offset the Holocene extinction we’re currently in, enjoy the life you have and are living currently.
I wouldn’t call myself terrified, but I’m pessimistic. I’ve had this attitude for years, so the fear has faded into a constant, dull, background gloom.
It would take major, expensive, immediate action to combat climate change in a meaningful way, and I don’t think my government (US) has the willingness to do it. It’s too corrupt, and there are too many climate deniers in positions of power.
Now multiply that problem a few dozen times. Imagine how difficult it would be to get countries that hate each other to work together. Even if we narrow it down to the top polluters, it’s not gonna happen.
Next, consider individuals. A lot of people are greedy, selfish, and think climate change is a hoax. Plus, people are wired for denial. That’s not a condemnation of any group. It’s just a psychological fact.
Lastly, think about the nature of the problem itself. To avoid the worst of the consequences, we need to act before undeniable proof exists. Too many people don’t trust science, and will refuse to act until their personal standards for proof are met. Unfortunately, by the time there’s “sufficient” proof, it will be too late. Even if we could flip a switch and stop burning all fossil fuels immediately, it would take years for the environment to recover.
Of course, I could be wrong. I’m not one of those depressing clods who uses pessimism as an excuse to do nothing. I still try to do things that don’t harm the environment, even though I think it’s useless and trivial. I live as though my actions could matter. We’ll see… sooner rather than later, I think.
We're just along for the ride. The people profiting from this have all the money and aren't going to change their mind because they think they can buy a solution for just themselves.
So, like the knowledge that we all die one day no matter what happens, it just has to be something you live with. Until you don't.
Wouldn't that be the most human thing to do. We truly are our worst enemy, even on the grandest of scales
Periodic reminder that big oil funded the research paper four decades ago that outlined all this, then covered it up and staffed think tanks to delegitimize the well-founded concerns as they began to spring up. They fucking knew, and not only did nothing to fix or prevent it, but actively hampered others' effort, so they could keep selling gas. And hey, look at that, the planet's literally on fucking fire and ExxonMobil is pulling record profits.
I've been angry for years. You should be too. They killed us to line their pockets.
Can you please provide the link to where you read that?
We're so thoroughly screwed, that it's the best I can do to get through the day without having a massive panic attack about it.
I try not to talk about it in real life because everyone is so in denial or like me, can't deal with the fact that we're still pretending "this is fine" while the house is on fire.