|
When I tell people that I write about climate optimism for a living, sometimes they scoff and tell me we’re all doomed, so what could I possibly write about? I get it. It’s awful watching climate catastrophes, like Hurricane Ian, wreak havoc all over the world. But I’m still here to tell you there are compelling reasons to be optimistic about our future.
Climate optimism isn’t about denying what we can see with our own eyes, or ignoring our grief for what we've lost. It’s understanding that we know how to prevent things from getting worse and that the progress we’ve made gets lost in all the climate doom headlines.
So when The Weather Channel asked if I would appear live on national television to talk about climate optimism, I said, “Absolutely not, I’d rather chew tinfoil, but thanks for asking.” I’m much smoother in writing than in person; just ask my husband, who’s witnessed a lifetime of inappropriate dinner party conversations. A flub on live TV might send us both into fits from which we’d never recover.
But after I told some friends about the invitation, I remembered how many people are quietly carrying intense climate anxiety. “I need you to talk me off the edge of the melting iceberg,” said one friend. “I told my kids not to have children because I don’t want them swimming in floods and fighting for food,” said another. “Do I even need to keep buying bamboo toilet paper? It feels pointless, and that stuff is expensive,” said yet another.
So I put on my big girl pants and went on TV, because we need more voices (and there are a rising number of us!) making the case for climate optimism, and sometimes taking climate action means venturing outside our comfort zone.
Besides, the hosts wanted to talk about the Inflation Reduction Act—a very boring name for an extremely sexy turning point for our planet—and it’s my new favorite thing to talk about. I’m like the Dr. Ruth of the IRA.
So let’s see how things are going one month into our spicy new climate legislation, shall we?
| 
