The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis

by Christiana Figueres

We could have had nothing in common, but we deeply share that which is most important: concern for the future of our children

“It’s clear to me that you have none of the experience necessary for this job. But you have something far more important: the humility to foster collective wisdom, and the courage to work within a complexity that is beyond any mapping.”

By 2050 at the latest, and ideally by 2040, we must have stopped emitting more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than Earth can naturally absorb through its ecosystems (a balance known as net-zero emissions or carbon neutrality). In order to get to this scientifically established goal, our global greenhouse gas emissions must be clearly on the decline by the early 2020s and reduced by at least 50 percent by 2030.

The planet will survive, in changed form no doubt, but it will survive. The question is whether we will be here to witness it.

At first you resisted this togetherness—you were used to doing things individually and in the privacy of your own home. But pretty quickly the camaraderie and unexpected new network of support started to feel good, something to be prized. For most people, the new way has turned out to be a better recipe for happiness.

the most resource-depleting foods of all—animal protein and dairy products—have practically disappeared from our diets.12 But the plant-based replacements are so good that most of us don’t notice the absence of meat and dairy.

Parking garages are used only for ride sharing, electric vehicle charging, and storage—those ugly concrete stacking systems and edifices of yore are now enveloped in green. Cities now seem designed for the coexistence of people and nature.

The Buddha also understood that we are not subject to our attitudes in a passive way but are active participants in creating them.

Optimism is not soft, it is gritty.

Giving is well known to increase individual happiness, so my “loss” can actually become my “gain.” In fact, “my loss ↔ your gain” can actually become “our gain.”

Whether it is gardening, crafting, drawing, playing or listening to music, exercising, meandering in the park, or paddling down a river, identify what replenishes you and your soul, and do it regularly and intentionally.

Sedentary indoor life—often characterized by limited natural light, poor air quality, walled surroundings, and increasing screen time—leads not only to obesity and loss of physical strength but also to feelings of isolation and depression. This family of symptoms has been broadly diagnosed as “nature-deficit disorder.”

Reconnection to nature is a powerful antidote to anxiety and stress, as well as a counter to physical illnesses. The Japanese health system has developed the practice of shinrin-yoku—literally, forest “bath” (not with water)—or spending mindful time in the woods.

Stubborn optimism needs to motivate you daily; you always need to bear in mind why you feel the future is worth fighting for. The essential “why” should be the driving force of all efforts to combat climate change no matter what.

Imagination is going to be critical as we work to transform today’s urban sprawl to make it fit for the future.

One study found that 900 million hectares, about the size of the entire United States, are available for reforestation without interfering with either human habitation or agriculture.54 Once new forests were mature, they would absorb and store 205 billion tons of carbon, while supporting biodiversity and making the planet more beautiful. That equates to absorption of nearly 70 percent of all the CO2 released into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution.

Go plant-based. If you eat less meat and dairy, your carbon footprint will decrease, and your health will improve. Eating less meat and dairy is better, and eating none at all is best. While this may feel like a stretch for most of us, for the vast majority of human history we ate very little meat.60

In 2012, Bill McKibben and 350.org began a grassroots divestment campaign to encourage financial institutions to stop investing in projects and companies that perpetuate the causes of climate change.67 It has grown into one of the most successful campaigns in history.

Write to your pension fund trustees and find out if they are divesting from the old economy or how they propose to change the behavior of corporations they are invested in so as to promote the clean economy. Encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.

Intrepid leaders like Natalie Isaacs, Isra Hirsi, Nakabuye Flavia, Greta Thunberg, and Penelope Lea have mobilized millions of young people who are now demanding urgent climate action and implementing it themselves.

As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”

When Kennedy first paid a visit to NASA Mission Control, at one point he came across a janitor who was cleaning the control room. “And what is your role here?” he asked. “Mr. President, sir,” came the reply, “I’m putting a man on the moon.”

This is my favorite 😊

This Action Plan is part of a growing movement of stubborn climate activists committed to fulfilling the vision of a regenerative world. We can only do this together and we hope you will join us at www.GlobalOptimism.com.