By Marcy Franck
I used to go to work with a terrible secret for someone surrounded by climate scientists: I made coffee using little plastic pods. So I hid them in my desk, waited in the kitchen until the coast was clear, then brewed it and walked back to my desk acting totally natural.
When our leadership changed and my desk ended up right next to our new director, who was also the former head of EPA, I took a hard look at my environmental transgressions and decided that I needed to work harder … at hiding my coffee pods.
I was successful, until one day a new shipment arrived and a coworker asked what was in the box. “What box?” I asked, trying to gaslight her into thinking there was no box, which is a totally healthy response, thank you for asking.
My caginess made her more curious until finally I told her. “I can’t believe you use K-CUPS!” she yelled, as if with a bullhorn. And of course, I wanted to die. But I didn’t, and our director didn’t storm out to demand my resignation. In fact, life went on as usual, except I felt even more ashamed than before. My coworker ended up feeling down too, when she admitted that she spent too much time on planes to be as green as she’d like.
But shame is not a useful emotion—and when it comes to being a good climate citizen, it can be counterproductive, especially if you think living a perfectly green life is the most effective climate action. So let’s talk about how to absolve climate guilt, and the magic that can happen when you do.
|
|
STEP 1: MAKE A CLIMATE CONFESSION |
|
|
|
“I’m a good recycler except I overuse paper towels.”
“I am writing my confession on a cell phone made of plastic.”
“I leave the AC on for my dogs while I’m at work”
Thanks, anonymous confessors, for understanding that your actions matter. But even living an eco-perfect life isn’t enough. We need to sacrifice *whatever feels comfortable* AND work toward big, systemic changes. Feeling guilty is only going to hold us back.
|
|
STEP 2: GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE HUMAN |
|
It's about persistence, not perfection. |
|
Climate advocate Dr. Bruce Bekkar shared his experience leading an audience through climate confessions in the Tiny Climate Challenge podcast. “It was a remarkably cathartic experience,” he said. And I love a good catharsis, so I gave him a call. Some of his advice:
|
|
|
|
-
Holding ourselves to impossible standards takes a toll. It’s a relief to let go of guilt, which gives ourselves space to engage in climate action at a deeper level.
-
What matters most is our commitment and willingness to give time and energy to the climate movement, not deny yourself something you want.
-
Connect with others. The more we can acknowledge that we’re not perfect, the more we can understand those not actively working toward solutions. Talking about your own imperfections could help find common ground and inspire someone to engage in the movement.
|
|
STEP 3: PLACE THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS |
|
And it ain’t on your shoulders, Dear Optimist. |
|
It’s not your fault we live in a world choked by pollution, but many large corporations want you to feel like it is, and the oil and gas industry has tried to shift responsibility for climate change away from itself and onto consumers. Blaming ourselves lets polluters off the hook, but our efforts need to focus on holding them accountable. Go deeper:
|
|
STEP 4: WORK FOR THE FUTURE YOU WANT TO LIVE IN |
|
I reject the dystopian hellscapes that appear in sci-fi movies and my obsessive thoughts at 3:00am.
|
|
|
|
-
Urban hubs where our needs are met within a small radius. Think housing, workspaces, small-scale agriculture, social hang outs, maybe even within one building.
-
Revamped transportation systems, with an emphasis on walking, biking, and public transit that is safer, more affordable, and highly efficient. Our research points to big climate and health wins here!
-
Increased biodiversity and protected natural environments that will make cities greener, fresher, and cooler as they produce at least as much energy as they consume.
-
Reliable energy can be available everywhere from cities to remote villages.
-
Regenerative agriculture that can sink carbon and produce enough delicious, nutritious food.
|
|
STEP 5: THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL |
|
All the cool kids are doing it. |
|
THERE. DOESN'T THAT FEEL BETTER? |
|
Now it's time to peek at some climate wins. |
|
|
|
We're counting down to launch the Lancet Countdown: Mark your calendars for October 20 to read the global report that tracks progress on health and climate change, and the companion U.S. Policy Brief, which provides policy recommendations to protect human health from the climate crisis. Our Climate MD leader, Dr. Renee Salas, is a co-author of the global report and lead author of the policy brief. Watch this space for updates.
|
|
|
|
EPA finalized a rule to reduce hydrofluorocarbons ($), the ‘greatest super-pollutant known to mankind,’ by 85% in 15 years. “It’s really — frankly, folks — a very big deal,” said Gina McCarthy, our former director and current National Climate Advisor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
