Climate Change: Can You Imagine an Imaginary Reset Button?
Historical lessons and the responsibility to act
What if you had a reset or back-one-step button to press each time things didn’t go as you wished?
What if we could press the cancel or ESC button from the pandemics of our lives?
What if we had a button that cleared off the smog from the city?
Or a button that made it snow in winter in a normal fashion, like it used to be about 5–10 years ago?
There is one button, but it’s slightly more complicated. More like a series of buttons that could potentially help if only we paid more attention to climate change. But this discussion is a long and complex one, especially when not everybody agrees with the facts.
We shouldn’t feel bad. There are plenty of examples in history where real threats were not believed.
In Jonathan Safran Foer’s book, “We Are the Weather — Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast,” the author tells the story of one of the most skilled judges in the United States who, faced with the truth of the Holocaust, could not believe such a thing existed! The judge was Jewish.
Another example: a massive share on Facebook showed the reaction of drivers when Volvo invented the three-point safety belt in 1959: it was considered a terrible idea, an affront to freedom and rights. In this case, too, the threat didn’t seem real.
Today, we know how many lives the seatbelt saves and how many campaigns have been created over time to communicate this. Our hearts sank every time we read about another Holocaust story, and we know, in black and white, that the horrors inflicted in Nazi camps gave headaches to lexicography because there was no suitable word to describe the atrocities committed. A cold shiver runs down our spine, right?
How is it possible to know and yet not react when it comes to climate change?
Knowing is not synonymous with doing. We shouldn’t feel bad, we should rather feel (more) responsible and learn how not to repeat the same thinking mistakes.
I see young people nowadays being mindful of what climate change means, doing their part slowly. But they inherit this world from us and it somehow doesn't feel fair to them. Many people in their 20s already choose not to have kids due to harsh climate change outlook.
The world pretty much sucks: A recent WSJ/NORC poll found that 78 percent of Americans aren’t confident their children will have better lives than they did. Climate change, violence and wars, polarizing worlds through religion and politics are all reasons that many don't want to bring in children to a harsh world. But I argue that children soften the harsh realities of the world. I remember during the worst phase of the pandemic, I didn't feel as depressed as many of my friends did when hearing all the terrible news because I was busy with my infant. The small joys help us along the way. - Jinal Sanghavi, Linkedin
Sure, climate change is still on the bottom of the reasons given by millennials not to have kids, but it's still a reason and it is striking.
Reality is harsh, climate changes as we speak. I would love to have a reset button. But is it realistic? Let's just do our part in this global mess. What do you think?
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***I originally published this article on Medium. I added a few more phrases as I got inspired again.***
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About the Creator
Gabriela Trofin-Tatár
Passionate about tech, studying Modern Journalism at NYU, and mother of 3 littles. Curious, bookaholic and travel addict. I also write on Medium and Substack: https://medium.com/@chicachiflada & https://chicachiflada.substack.com/
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Comments (1)
I'm, sadly, not sure that Knowledge is Synonymous with Doing (but I WISH that it was!). There are MANY things people know that they do not adhere to. As the phrase goes, "Do as I say, not as I do." To make it more complicated, there is a struggle with available options based on where you are in your life. For instance - it is becoming common knowledge, and more people "know" that Plastics are bad both for us and the environment. Tons of microplastics go into the ocean and even into our bodies which create massive problems both ecologically and physiologically. Yet, people still buy Plastic Water Bottles. For some people, it is based on Price (Glass Bottles are more Expensive), and/or it is seen as the "lesser evil" (Bottle Water over Tap Water). Which stressor do you take on? Do you take the added stress of Finances to buy the Glass Bottles? Do you take the added stress of Tap Water stripped of Nutrients and then with Added Chemicals not Healthy for us? Or Do you take the Stress most people are used to from Microplastics? Unfortunately, I find often these topics are difficult, not because of Knowledge, but due to the Challenges Imposed by "How" we can Practice them.