Sunday, May 1, 2022

A ‘Life-Affirming’ Remedy for Climate Despair

Wynn Bruce's death can teach us that climate anxiety and despair can be channeled into constructive action.  

One effort we support is Scientist Rebellion, a group of over 1,000 scientists around the world. They are angry and fearful of climate change, and have engaged in various forms of civil disobedience including chaining themselves to the White House fence, and covering the Spanish Parliament building with paint the color of blood.

Testimony from these scientists shows people who are radiantly alive, meeting the challenges of the moment Peter Kalmus, a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has described chaining himself to a Chase Bank building in Los Angeles last month as "a profoundly spiritual experience — in some way, incredibly satisfying and empowering and hope-giving and life-affirming."

Joining a movement allows us to live for a purpose greater than ourselves, and a collective benefit of a national climate mobilization would be improved mental health. Instead of despair and alienation, we can find a sense of purpose and community in the face of the climate crisis. nyt

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