LA Times headline reading "If the Maui fires don't wake up Americans to the climate emergency, nothing will"

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   Dr. Katharine Hayhoe (kathhayhoe@climatejustice.rocks)'s status on Saturday, 12-Aug-2023 12:01:18 JST Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

   There's a dangerous narrative among those already worried about climate risks, and advocating for climate solutions, that "surely THIS disaster will convince everyone action is needed at scale, and if it doesn't, then nothing will!"

   Why is it dangerous? Because although psychological distance is one of the barriers to action, there are two more: lack of efficacy and solution aversion. And ironically, disasters are ramping up both of those barriers rather than dismantling them.

   If we aren't aware of them and therefore don't address them directly, we won't catalyze change at scale.

   And even worse, if these horrendous disasters don't immediately lead to action at scale (which sadly, most of them likely will not) -> then those who believe the above will feel there is nothing left we can do and we truly are doomed -> and if we believe that, then we truly are!

   So if you hear people asking why we aren't seeing climate action at scale, please share with them these three barriers and what each of us can do to dismantle them.

   The first step is so simple, everyone can do it: just make sure we are always talking about both the risks and the solutions at the same time! For more, see: https://www.ted.com/talks/katharine_hayhoe_the_most_important_thing_you_can_do_to_fight_climate_change_talk_about_it?language=en