Climate change is causing people to feel jaded and helpless
Climate change can make one feel hopeless. It’s a term that leaves people jaded, helpless and as though the problem is someone else’s to deal with. It is a problem that many feel should be an issue polluters and leaders must deal with.
These are some of the key findings from a recent report by market research group Ipsos.
The study found that millennial men roughly born between 1981 and 1996 feel this way. Not only them but Gen Z, people born in the late 1990s to 2000s, also feel this way. The study found that 32% of millennials and 30% of Gen Z’s share this sentiment.
The feeling is that climate change is beyond our control and it is too late to do anything about it. Similar numbers of men in the global study feel that whatever marginal changes they make won’t make a difference. More concerning is that the findings suggest most of these people feel that the climate change issue is not for now, it is something for the future, despite many climate-related changes happening in today’s times.
One thing these people do have correct is that developed countries must lead the way in fixing the problem. The report mentioned that millennials and Gen Zs feel as though developed countries, who make up most of the emissions in the world, need to take an active role in dealing with climate change.
But it is important to note that the report mentioned that they believe collaboration between the developed world and the developing one is needed to deal with the problem.
One thing that stood out in the report was the helplessness people feel. Questions like: “Why should I recycle plastic or use a stainless steel straw when the rich and powerful take short flights all over the place, emit carbon from their yachts and pollute the earth all for the sake of capital gains and leisure?”
What’s missing is communication, businesses and leaders explaining what effects recycling or changing to renewable energies can have, for example. While expensive, it can severely lower electricity needs from fossil fuels. These prices for renewable sources are coming down. Once they are affordable, they can make a real dent in South Africa’s carbon emissions.
Renewable sources can reach people who don’t have electricity access. It can lower the need for coal or other fossil fuels, thereby meaning the coal stations can close down as planned in the next 10 to 15 years and climate change can be slowly abated. But the problem is affordability and knowledge. Political will and carefully teaching people about these benefits can make a real difference.
The problem lies in government and businesses. They need to communicate better on what changes can have an effect in making the planet more liveable and lowering climate change emissions.
Prioritising profit over the climate will leave people feeling bitter. Take greenwashing by brands, for instance. Labels saying that items are green mean very little, especially
when emissions are still high and not much effort is put into lowering them by these brands.
Governments need clear, cohesive plans that are well articulated so people can see what strides are being made. The report found that around 35% of South Africans don’t believe the government have a clear plan for resolving the climate crisis.
In South Africa, it was found that 70% to 76% of people feel that businesses and the government will be failing the people if they don’t act now to combat climate change. A similar number believe our leaders should do more to combat climate change. About 55% of South African people who were studied believe that if they change their own behaviour, it can make a dent in climate change.
This suggests people are willing to fight climate change, it is a matter of giving them the tools and knowledge to do so. It needs to be made affordable. Overwhelming findings from the study say that developed countries should do more to fight climate change. This needs to translate into action.
A just transition partnership is crucial, but not through expensive loans. This is unaffordable for many countries.
Technology for renewables, skills and other necessary needs in moving to clean energy must be made accessible. Without it, we will suffer. The country’s unemployment is high, it is as concerning as the high carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. These issues must be taken seriously in a way that makes for more employment and cleaner energy.
Carbon emissions from energy use, and global plastic consumption are all things that can come down. From a personal level to a more nationwide level, it is possible to protect the planet.
Leaders need to communicate better, more incentives need to be brandied about and there is a dire need for leaders to take ownership of the crisis that is already on our doorstep. These were the key findings on what would make people more inclined to fight the climate crisis on a personal level.
It is worth noting the report surveyed people who were more affluent, likely to have a university education and under the age of 75.
Carbon emissions from energy use, and global plastic consumption are all things that can come down