I am really dreading the devastation I know this El Niño will bring. As the situation deteriorates, it makes me wonder how I can be most helpful at a time like this. Do I keep trying to pursue my research career or devote even more of my time to warning the public?

“It’s as if the human race has received a terminal medical diagnosis and knows there is a cure, but has consciously decided not to save itself.“
—Prof Lesley Hughes

When a patient receives a likely terminal diagnoses with one obtainable cure, they typically do everything in their power to get to it unless that means leaving themselves or others permanently destitute. Their coming death is very close. So is the only way out.

The cause in both these statements is that global warming will NEVER be an immediate threat. Humans are wired for immediacy, and if the threat is not a right now thing, they switch to ignoring and adapting. Our psychology is wired to try to address the tiger and to adapt to what is unfortunately continual environmental collapse.

Those who understand we literally cannot do that and that a great many of us will die are not equipped to handle that information without simply sinking into increasingly immobile despair, because...what the fuck can I do about it?

I already eat little, don't even own a car, my worst offense is having internet but it's necessary for work. My other options are to become homeless again or Amish.

People in many countries are suffering greatly already from natural events that have been kicked up to 20. All I can do is watch. And I do. But more and more as someone who has a large stomach for suffering, even I'm beginning to evaluate what good it's doing me, as a civilian, to watch.

I can't help, or I would have. Whatever's going to happen to me in the future is unavoidable. My choices then are between Despair and Not Despair. This is why the masses won't pay attention. They don't have the bandwidth for the entire planet.

The politicians, however, have no excuse for this, and had we less tendency to shut our eyes and stomp our feet and more biological ability to plan in long term, they would be on pikes in the 00's.

Don't forget kids once we hit 130 were gonna start dropping like flies, going outside will be dangerous, your AC bill will be astronomical and the rich people will all be fine in their bunkers!

Over the last few weeks I’ve found myself wondering is this finally going to be the year when any doubts about the climate change crisis are blown away by a spate of costly climate extremes. That could be one benefit of 2023 being off the charts like this.

Narrator: it wasn't

Don't look up

Did everyone see this? https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/28/far-right-climate-plans-00107498

I can't wait! I hope they kill us all faster. How exciting.

@btaf45

The super-shitification** by sold-out governments and the H U G E fossil fuel industry against 50+ years of scientific climate change warnings hasn't forced any changes, it's unlikely watching it play out will do anything. In fact all we're seeing now is even more drilling operations beginning and even less care about the human cost.

At this point we can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst because we ain't seen nothing yet.

** with apologies to Cory Doctorow

Man that's environmental scientists catch phrase lately, "No one wants to be right about this." I really wish people(cough governments) would take them seriously.

@btaf45 We. Are. PHUCKED.

I really hope Tony Seba is right on his forecasts. It's the only thing that brings more hope. Electric cars, solar, batteries and precision fermentation. He's been right a lot so I have faith.

Having said that we need a huge carbon tax (including on trade) like today.