Despite criticisms being hurled at the “Biden agenda,” during Biden’s term in office, policies and programs designed to reduce our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels were given greater attention and federal investment than ever before. His administration was committed to helping speed up the nation’s progress toward a more environmentally sustainable economy. That led to supporting scientifically endorsed efforts to reduce carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, known to be the main culprits of global warming, and the increasing intensity of fires, hurricanes and flooding that are becoming more and more frequent. Our way of life and the economy that drives it rely on ever-increasing consumption for its success. Our behavior is wreaking havoc with global weather systems. Climate change is not a “hoax.” 

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 earmarked billions of dollars to advance development of renewable technologies and upgrade our energy infrastructure. These investments will not only be good for the environment. They will also serve as a massive stimulant to our domestic economy by creating millions of new jobs as we transition to a more sustainable future. These dollars are being distributed nationally to assist state and local economies over the next 10 years in order to reach the goal of “net zero” carbon emissions by 2070, a date at which, if successful, we can avert what would otherwise become a global climate catastrophe. Although, at first glance, these investments may seem too costly, once implemented, they would create massive savings from future disasters that, if we do nothing, could cause economic collapse. 

Much if not all the progress we will make over the next decade may be reversed if the next administration does not recognize the importance of this investment and abandons our commitment to ensure our grandchildren a future less marred by climate mayhem.   

The impact of climate change is already taking a toll on our mental health. Social scientists are studying the effects of repeated exposure to extraordinary climate events like those we’ve seen in Florida, North Carolina, and now California, again! Reports of overwhelming anxiety, hopelessness and despair, and changes in sleep and eating behaviors are signs of high levels of psychological stress and insecurity. As a nation, we lack a clear path forward with achievable goals to measure our progress. We have a political system that doesn’t guarantee that the progress we make will be defended from undoing. We’re getting confusing and inconsistent messages from political leaders and news sources. Many lack confidence that anything we do will actually make a difference. Combined, these conditions undermine our ability to work together and reach consensus on how to solve our problems. But from a distance, we  may be vicariously sharing the suffering of thousands of victims directly impacted by climate disasters, a form of collective trauma and grief.   

I know I’ve had my days of anxiety and despair. Today, instead of turning on my radio to catch “top of the hour” headlines, I thought I’d refrain and search for something more uplifting. I found a video-recorded TED Talk by our former vice-president and environmental activist, Al Gore. His talk, entitled, “Political will is a renewable resource,” a pep talk of sorts on why tuning out or giving up on discussing climate change are not acceptable options. He listed sizable gains we’re making by really tackling the most challenging environmental threat, global warming. He shared some current goals and emphasized that it’s not too late to prevent the proverbial “Climate Apocalypse.” Oddly, I caught myself doubting his optimism. Despair set in and a subtle shutting down. In that moment, his proposed solutions seemed unimaginable. 

I was about to change the channel when different voice came on, that of Per Espen Stoknes, a neuropsychologist and former member of the Norwegian parliament. Also, a renowned climate activist, Stoknes began to share his research on the ways humans react to scientific information on climate change. He was concerned about our collective failure as a species to face the environmental problems that threaten our very existence. He was studying this aversion to hearing unpleasant facts and had identified key factors in our messaging that contribute to our blocking out the truth — dangerous as this.phenomenon also blocks us from taking action to prevent our own extinction.

In a moment of self-reflection, I knew exactly what he was talking about. Hadn’t I just been inclined to dismiss the urgency of Al Gore’s message? I decided to sit myself back down and listen to Mr. Stoknes, ready to receive another pep talk. Stoknes, in his scholarly Scandinavian dialect, introduced a framework he’d developed called “the Big D’s,” five inner defenses humans employ when presented with information that feels too heavy a burden to readily accept. He described it like this.

 Distance. With thoughts like, “It’s not here, not now. There’s nothing I can do about it.” we walk away and do nothing. 

 Doom. “It’s too big and too late to make a difference anyway. ”  We desensitize to the facts, push down our fear, and walk away, slipping into psychic numbing he called “Apocalypse Fatigue.” 

 Dissonance occurs when an internal conflict develops between the way we’re living differs from the way we think we should be living.  We begin to rationalize. Reasons or excuses lead us to reject the facts and refuse to act. 

 Denial occurs when there’s a need to seek refuge from nagging fear and anxiety. We begin to ridicule or ignore the information and behave as if we’d never heard it.  

Identity encapsulates the expression of our core values and often overrides facts. Stoknes referenced studies showing wealthier, conservative participants valuing “big cars and small government,” while participants who identified with other class backgrounds placed higher value on “smaller cars and bigger government”. When combined with other Big Ds, identity will often become the death knell for environmental engagement. 

Stoknes then went on to describe the “Five S’s,” his framing for solutions to defenses that block communication and thwart commitment to climate change. Here are his suggestions.

 Move Distance to Social.  Encourage new social norms. Peer-to-peer communication proves the most effective by providing more direct and concrete incentives for adopting new behaviors. Stoknes presented a slide showing a neighborhood in which a homeowner spoke enthusiastically about his new well-functioning, cost-saving solar energy system. Another neighbor followed suit and installed his alternative system. In the next slide, taken months later, a few more folks had installed solar roof panels. Next slide, within a few years nearly the entire neighborhood had transitioned away from the conventional centralized energy provider.  This was a powerful example of the momentum for change that grew with the initial action of one person triggering a major shift in awareness and behavior. From this initial experience other behaviors climate change behavior emerged. People made greater efforts to reduce waste, recycle, change lawns to vegetable gardens and gasoline-powered cars to electric vehicles. 

 Move Doom to Support.  Stoknes recommended using  emphasis on climate catastrophes as a motivator for change and instead, focus on environmental benefits and economic opportunities that happen when we shift to “greener” economies. Job creation comes inevitably with developing, manufacturing, installing and using new energy-efficient equipment and infrastructure. And as his slides displayed, visible signs of progress quickly create positive feedback loops that expedite our transition away from harmful fossil fuels.

 Reduce Dissonance in Small Steps by celebrating the positive cumulative effects when many people take even small steps in the battle to reduce carbon emissions, pollution and waste. No action is too small.

 Handle Denial with Sensitivity by communicating with genuine respect for the barriers that thwart a person’s ability to understand and accept climate-related information. Hard facts are more easily digested when presented in simpler and smaller servings.  

 Dissolve Identity barriers with good Stories. Stoknes illustrated his point with a story from Norway’s long-standing climate goal of using “100 percent  Electric Vehicles by the year 2025.” Upon reaching 89 percent on Jan. 1, Norway extended their deadline to the year’s end, confident they will reach it. Norway’s success is spreading across Europe with France now creating similar target goals. A great example of the power of “political will.” Stories move us from abstractions to real life and show how success can breed success!

Gore and Stoknes offered insights into what’s holding us back in achieving the climate changes we know are necessary. They had inspired me. So much is happening and there is so much more to we can do.And it starts with our conversations.

In our country, the story isn’t over. It is really just beginning. As I set out out to discern what part I want to play, I’ve been reminded never to give up communicating with others. Listening to one another is the single most powerful force we have to create a more habitable world. 

With that I glance across the room at some recent photos of my grandsons. Suddenly, it’s true. Despair is no longer an option. Those Dearies deserve a safer, brighter future. We can make it happen.