'DISILLUSIONMENT' IS THE 'ADOLESCENT' RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate Change and Disillusionment: It, like, totally sucks, dude

Mindy Berbeco, September 18, 2012 (Climate Change from the Biotic to the Exotic)

“…One of the overlooked effects of climate change on people, though, is disillusionment. The reality is that climate change is here and man, that is depressing...[I]n my new job working for the National Center for Science Education, I get to hear all about climate change denial all day long. I like to believe I went through the 5 stages of denial when it came to my introduction the climate deniers’ literature: shock, annoyance, bargaining, disappointment, and eventually acceptance that they are insane.

“In my job though we talk about “pillars of denial”… such as challenging the science, or the motives of the scientists, or accusing people of being ideologues. But these attempts at denial are becoming less relevant, as the public is becoming wise to this style of diverting the conversation. It’s just not hip anymore to be a climate denier…But as a child of the 90’s, I know that there is nothing more hip then disillusionment.”

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“Disillusionment is the muse of every alternative rock song, it is why you had a crush on that super-lame barista for like 6 years , and why you now sometimes stare out of an airplane window and rethink all of your life choices…Disillusionment is deep, it’s thoughtful, it’s all through literature and it is a clever new way to deny climate change…[T]he question is, when there is every reason in the world to be disillusioned, how can you possibly find hope? And this is where your adult self needs to fight your 15-year-old self…

“…[Y]ou don’t get to do that anymore. Disillusionment is just another form of climate denial. It’s more insidious than other forms though, because it presents itself as more thoughtful and deep…But I argue this is the laziest form of climate denial – it requires no research, no intuition, no special degrees or corporate sponsors and no attacks on researchers — it’s so boring. All you have to do is lay back and let the world turn. And sure, you could live your life this way…[but you’re] not 15 anymore. Step it up people, the world is depending on you.”

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