Have you heard of “climate doom-ism”? Perhaps it’s also relatively new to you, as it is for me; well at least the term. But the concept is familiar and I highly think we all share the same “mutual understanding” of it.
(Thought I’d get your attention by the green swimwear I’m wearing, and listen to this important climate conversation we are going to have today.)
Climate doom-ism means a pessimistic outlook on the future of the planet, as defined by one of the recent Ted Talks done by Zahra Biabani. She had this term coined after she has learned of the current sad statistics – a whopping 56% of Gen Zers (largest demographic in the world!) believe that because of the climate crisis, humanity is doomed. This was from a survey of about 10,000 young people across ten different countries on their feelings about climate crisis.
When I knew of the above statistics I resonated with it because quite frankly I am one of the people who is starting to lose hope protecting Mother Earth. I think that I have no winning chance versus the giant corporations who are destroying nature, in more ways than one. I may not have anxiety attacks because of climate change like many do, but I feel the 56% who think that we are doomed.
On the bright side, Zahra encouraged everyone in her talk to not succumb to ‘doom-ism’ and instead spread a message of hope by helping the planet in whatever small ways that we can. As for her, she’s part of a 20-member group on TikTok who create content to spread awareness and spark hope to all who want to see a better world by fighting climate change effects.
This 9-minute talk gave me more encouragement in my small steps of taking climate action. I’ve been ditching the use of single-use plastic bags recently by bringing my own eco-bag when I shop. This may seem so small but collectively for a year it certainly lessens plastic waste disposal.
Let me end with a call to action – will you help, in your own little way, fight climate change and take actions and try your best not to feel climate doom-ism? I hope that is a yes - a resounding yes. Let us help our planet, hand-in-hand, together. It is the littlest ripples that create waves. C’mon and let’s make the wave happen.