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Last week, South African Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, announced that a greater budget should be allocated for climate change research in order to mitigate the harmful effects thereof on our agriculture and wildlife.
Climate change chats? Woah, let’s not get too excited now.
The climate crisis is one that affects us all yet still something that so many are indifferent to. We’re headed towards the point of no return but unbothered as ever, we go about our daily lives. Whatever your stance on climate change may be and whether you opt for choke-me-daddy paper straws or not, it’s undeniable that many of us don’t seem to care as much as we probably should. Let’s explore some of the reasons, shall we?
HUMAN CONDITION
As human beings, we’re conditioned to care about things that require urgency. When something doesn’t seem to directly affect you or the people/ things you care about, it pretty much takes the back burner. Perhaps the effects of climate change don’t feel abrupt enough, especially when there aren’t that many relatable human stories being told. Most people find the topic rather boring too (so if you’re reading this, well done) and I suppose there’s no perfect way to get people interested, especially when we’re somewhat being pushed into it. Nobody likes being told what to do. As shitty as it sounds, that’s showbiz, baby.
POOR COMMUNICATION
Throw a bunch of statistics at me and a little monkey starts banging a cymbal in my head. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Oftentimes it’s not just about the inaccessibility of statistics in writing, but how climate change is communicated that’s preachy and imposing, putting people off. Conflicting communication also seems to be a major issue – one day we should do a certain thing and the next day it’s the most sacrilegious act known to mankind. Like, now almond milk is suddenly the bad guy? What he do, sis?
PRIVILEGE & POWER
Yes, climate change affects us all, but it harms the lives of the underprivileged the most significantly. It’s no surprise that western countries are privileged enough to not care as much as they have the means to adjust. The lives of those in developing countries, however, are greatly affected by natural disasters because they simply cannot afford to live in safer areas, with an increased exposure of disadvantaged groups to climate hazards; increased susceptibility to damage caused by climate hazards and decreased ability to cope with and recover from the damage.
Let’s not forget to mention how incredibly white climate change movements can be, with tokenism of POC lives being a recurring theme. I read this interesting article on VICE where a young woman who lost her family to Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and shared her story at climate rallies discussed how she quit being a climate activist because she was being used as a token figure. White people were reaping the benefits by receiving funding for their all-white projects from her painful story. She also added, “white activists can protest whenever they want because they have homes, jobs, a huge amount of freedom of expression. BELIEVE ME, WE WANT TO DO BIG THINGS, but what's stopping us? A future and life that is at risk”
Much to think about...
CORPORATE & GOVERNMENTAL BULLSHIT
The fact that you’re reading this article means you’re connected to the internet, most likely powered by non-renewable energy data centers, contributing to CO2 emissions - you disgusting sinner!!! - this is the kind of attitude major corporations and ‘climate activists’ expect us to have.
We’re shamed for the CO2 emission caused by our basic, everyday pleasures like watching Netflix or making a cup of coffee when large corporations like Amazon are out here emitting the same amount of CO2 as a small country; even Jeff Bezos’ 10bn Earth Fund can’t reverse that amount of damage.
Essentially, there’s a lot more major corporations and governments can do such as invest in more efficient transport systems, agriculture and forestry and renewable energy – this is beyond the average human’s control.
SO, SHOULD WE CARE?
I mean, yes, of course. It’s highly unlikely that I’ll get to meet my great great grandchildren or whatever but that doesn’t mean I want the little shits frying every time they step foot outside. I feel that all the little life adjustments we make as humans are good and encouraged and we should do our best to help those who cannot help themselves, however we need to hold those in power more accountable and stop judging others who aren’t able to do as much or aren’t as informed – check your privilege, always.
Now someone kopple Netflix login details there please.
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