Mack Lundy/Flickr
Q: “How do you answer the doomers when it comes to the pace, intensity, and quality of climate change? It’s hard to work on change if people think, ‘What’s the point? It won’t make a difference anyway.’”
—Christopher Holly
A: Some of the loudest voices on climate change exist at the fringes—the deniers on one side, the doomers on the other. Convincing either to take action can feel like a losing battle, but remember that you, fellow climate change warrior, are not alone. There is tremendous progress happening in the middle, where all of us hoping to reduce the worst effects of climate change exist. Many cities, states, businesses, activists, and environmental organizations like NRDC are picking up the ball that our current federal administration has dropped.
Engaging with someone who’s convinced there’s nothing to be done is a laudable goal. How? Start small, with personal actions, and then show past successes, like the recent energy efficiency win in New York or the even broader success of other movements.
Rebecca Greenfield
Describe to the doomer the role that each of us can play. NRDC senior scientist Kim Knowlton reminds us, “There is a great deal each of us can do, and little things add up to big things.” Billions of individual decisions are shaping our planet’s future every day. Remind the pessimist that we can collectively make a dent by going car-free, eating less meat, or composting our food. If we’re parents, we can pass on these values to the next generation, who will inherit the world we leave them and will be the future stewards of the planet.
Knowlton also cautions that we shouldn’t turn our back on the hopeless. “Everyone wants to have a sense of belonging to a community who cares about them,” she says. “Let people know that you appreciate their concerns, but that there’s a growing army of individuals worldwide who truly want to protect public health from climate change’s effect. They’re dedicated and they’ve got heart, and they’re continuing to demand that our elected leaders bring us positive changes.”
Finally, remind your doomer that the world’s most powerful movements, like the fights for civil rights or women’s suffrage, achieved lofty goals because groups of determined individuals were willing to climb a nearly insurmountable hill.
That’s the key word, isn’t it? Nearly.
We’ve got this, Christopher. And with your help, we hope the doomers begin to believe that too.
Related Stories
In the latest issue of the literary quarterly McSweeney’s, 10 short-story writers imagine what the world might look like in 20 years without effective climate action.
The stories that really reach people are the ones with stirring scenes, suspense, and relatable characters.
As far as future-building strategies go, Greta Thunberg’s passionate optimism beats Jonathan Franzen’s placid pessimism any day.
A new novel imagines what life in Bangkok would be like if nearly half the city were underwater—which some experts say is a real possibility.
We got ourselves into this mess. It’s high time we got ourselves out of it.
A recent climate assessment raised red flags about a shrinking economy. But maybe it doesn’t have to play out that way for millennials—we can start demanding with our dollars for a green, just economy.
The administration cites the likelihood of catastrophic global temperature rise to justify gutting fuel-efficiency standards. Yes, you read that correctly.
Anxious about where our planet is headed? Tip one: You’re not alone—and that means a lot.
It’s true that aggressive policies and laws are crucial to save the planet. But carbon-cutting actions by individuals can also make a dent (especially when corporations and elected officials take note!). Here are some easy, concrete ways you can make a difference.
We know that you know that Trump’s assessment of the Paris Agreement is way off base. Here’s how to convince those who don’t.
No demolition required. A few small tweaks to each room could dramatically shrink your carbon footprint.
Sometimes the best way to turn your anger into action is to pick up the phone. Follow these tips to minimize your anxiety and maximize your impact.
Healing the planet starts at home—in your garage, in your kitchen, and at your dining-room table.
Kids have a natural connection to the earth, as well as a drive to heal it. And that may be our saving grace.
Considering making the switch? Here's everything you need to know about driving electric cars and hybrids.
Turn your city into a climate sanctuary, rally on Main Street, and other ways to make change globally by acting locally.
NRDC senior attorney Ben Longstreth explains how plaintiffs for these cases get chosen—and how you can help advance the cause in or out of the courtroom.
With minimal effort, you can turn those banana peels and apple cores into gold. Let us break it down.
Darby Hoover, NRDC’s waste expert, says this “single stream” type of recycling is mostly about customer convenience, but the costs may outweigh the benefits.
We've made huge strides in keeping the things we throw away out of landfills. Here's how you can take recycling to the next level—at home, at work, and in your community.
The prospect of geoengineering freaks us out. And it should—it signifies the lateness of our climate hour.
Our guide to buying greener beans, brewing with less waste, and avoiding all that packaging.
Learn to trust yourself more and worry less about the date labels on your food.
Debunking five popular myths that lead us to needlessly throw out meals—and money.
Insert yourself in the policy-making process. At town hall meetings and in public hearings, during comment periods and in our courts, government officials have to listen to us—whether they like it or not.