Pessimist or Realist?

I constantly get feedback that I am too pessimistic about how humanity will respond to addressing climate change and its potential impact over the next 30 yrs or so.  Of course, no one wants to hear that our lives may be subject to changes beyond our control and our children’s lives may be difficult.  The question is, am I just a pessimist or is this really wanting to prepare for a new reality?

Of course, I will say that I am just being realistic about a very difficult subject.  As I have noted in earlier blog posts, humans are very good at addressing threats that are right in front of them – right??  Well, ok, maybe a significant number of Americans don’t want to be told to get vaccinated for Covid or believe in conspiracy theories or deal with gun control but I am sure that only applies in personal rights America, right??  Or autocratic leaders in other countries will gladly make the sacrifices to their personal wealth to curtail fossil fuels (can you say Russia or Saudi Arabia?).

So here’s the problem; reducing emissions is totally possible if everyone converts to electric cars and household appliances (cause we can all afford to do so, right?), and industry converts to carbon capture for zero emissions.  Oh yeah, carbon tax the rich to subsidize the poor – that will get your congressman elected!  (btw, we absolutely need to implement carbon tax).  We can all stop eating beef cause the rancher’s will all convert to plant protein substitutes.  The list goes on but actually it is doable if people will unselfishly commit and it can happen over the next 20 yrs (we could absolutely be at zero by 2040 but will we?)

I just don’t thinks so.  Meanwhile, once again, Siberia is on fire making the fires in the US look like small change.  The AMOC is at risk of stalling out and there are record temps again across North America and Europe.  Mother nature may not wait for us to get our act together before tipping points begin to cascade.

I absolutely want to get a handle on this and do whatever it takes but I/we may be the minority, however loud we yell and urge our fellows.

Let’s do everything we can to prove me the pessimist but also, let’s keep an eye on what is coming realistically.

SZ