One of the Working Groups from the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will release a report on 9 August on the heating of the planet and what it means for our future.
A draft was leaked and journalists with advance copies are sounding a little shell-shocked.
The headlines will be horrendous and upsetting, so here’s some tips to use the report to get people to move towards action, rather than despair.
- Show the opportunities that come from climate action including new jobs, new industries, cleaner air, better environment and healthier diets.
- Make it real, but not overwhelming with concrete, local examples of climate impacts as well as what can be done about them.
- Remember the corporations and governments that are causing the problem and give people easy actions to take against them.
The report will not offer solutions, so we must try to find some – but not unproven technologies, distant magical solutions or anything that still involves burning fossil fuels including; carbon capture and storage, fossil hydrogen, or nuclear power.
Maintaining mental health will be a challenge for many of us. The Climate Justice Union has resources as does Psychology for a Safe Climate. Take care of yourselves.
