Terrifying. Almost as terrifying as the things that I have realised about mankind since the climate crisis became prominent. There are days when I seriously contemplate the possibility that the chaos, misery and death to come is perhaps a necessary stage that mankind has to go through to deflate our collective hubris, such that we can reinvent ourselves as a species that respects and co-exists with nature, and works within planetary boundaries.
As things stand, I simply can't see a way out of this mess. There is no way that we will collectively agree to make the sacrifices that scientists say are necessary (low energy lifestyles, largely plant-based diets, limited international travel, degrowth, local economies and locally-sourced food etc). No, we will not realise that radical lifestyle changes are the only way to have even the slightest change of surviving and manage our transition to a sustainable way of living, rather, we will be compelled to adopt these changes in a post-collapse world having learned our lessons the hard way (assuming any of us survive to learn such lessons).
I know that sound nihilistic and entails a rather pessimistic view of mankind, but that's where I'm at. Listening to Question Time, for example, has become utterly painful, as it reminds me that climate change, if discussed at all, is regarded as if it is just one of a myriad of 'issues' to deal with, as opposed to the (near-term) existential threat that it is. And then there's always the 'voice from the right', Julia Hartley-Brewer, James Delingpole, Richard Tice or some 'think tank' representative from 55 Tufton Street telling us how expensive net zero would be and how we have to be sensible and prioritise economic growth. It makes me want to fucking scream.
Sometimes, being climate aware is a terribly lonely place, Bill, but thanks for your articles. In a strange way they make me feel less alone and less like I'm the one who's going completely mad.
i am so glad roger hallam got 5 years in prison for spreading chaos and disinformation...time Billy boy got a similar punishment for saying its ok to blow up gas pipelines..yes i was at your meeting in derby and tape recorded what was said..
I applaud your work, Bill. I fully support your use of doom and gloom, not only because nothing else has worked, but because it DID work on cigarette packets.
Here's a lighter moment. Yesterday, a 9yo told me this joke. Frustrated young kid, doing their homework, turns to parent, "Who cares if I can't spell 'apocalypse' . It's not the end of the world, is it? "
As terrifying as infuriating, as the ruling class just indulges in petty politics of today, not even tomorrow. General apathy towards such a collective lurch of humanity towards the disaster is excruciating. Yet, giving up is no option. Keep up the good work Bill!
Indeed Patrick. I agree with every sentiment. We are heading for extremely tough times. Societal collapse predicted as soon, perhaps, as 2040.
Indeed it could. And another reason for a mass insulation programme.
Terrifying. Almost as terrifying as the things that I have realised about mankind since the climate crisis became prominent. There are days when I seriously contemplate the possibility that the chaos, misery and death to come is perhaps a necessary stage that mankind has to go through to deflate our collective hubris, such that we can reinvent ourselves as a species that respects and co-exists with nature, and works within planetary boundaries.
As things stand, I simply can't see a way out of this mess. There is no way that we will collectively agree to make the sacrifices that scientists say are necessary (low energy lifestyles, largely plant-based diets, limited international travel, degrowth, local economies and locally-sourced food etc). No, we will not realise that radical lifestyle changes are the only way to have even the slightest change of surviving and manage our transition to a sustainable way of living, rather, we will be compelled to adopt these changes in a post-collapse world having learned our lessons the hard way (assuming any of us survive to learn such lessons).
I know that sound nihilistic and entails a rather pessimistic view of mankind, but that's where I'm at. Listening to Question Time, for example, has become utterly painful, as it reminds me that climate change, if discussed at all, is regarded as if it is just one of a myriad of 'issues' to deal with, as opposed to the (near-term) existential threat that it is. And then there's always the 'voice from the right', Julia Hartley-Brewer, James Delingpole, Richard Tice or some 'think tank' representative from 55 Tufton Street telling us how expensive net zero would be and how we have to be sensible and prioritise economic growth. It makes me want to fucking scream.
Sometimes, being climate aware is a terribly lonely place, Bill, but thanks for your articles. In a strange way they make me feel less alone and less like I'm the one who's going completely mad.
i am so glad roger hallam got 5 years in prison for spreading chaos and disinformation...time Billy boy got a similar punishment for saying its ok to blow up gas pipelines..yes i was at your meeting in derby and tape recorded what was said..
I applaud your work, Bill. I fully support your use of doom and gloom, not only because nothing else has worked, but because it DID work on cigarette packets.
Here's a lighter moment. Yesterday, a 9yo told me this joke. Frustrated young kid, doing their homework, turns to parent, "Who cares if I can't spell 'apocalypse' . It's not the end of the world, is it? "
True words indeed - and to think there are still those who totally deny ANY climate change whatsoever.....when reality literally surrounds them.
As terrifying as infuriating, as the ruling class just indulges in petty politics of today, not even tomorrow. General apathy towards such a collective lurch of humanity towards the disaster is excruciating. Yet, giving up is no option. Keep up the good work Bill!
Could AMOC disruption/slowdown paint a different story? Extreme cold rather than heat?