Inaugural Address: Motivations
The reason why this newsletter exists is the same reason why you should read it.
We don’t talk about climate change enough.
If you’re like me that may sound trivial or relatively preposterous because I hear about climate change every day and talk about it probably just as much. My news feeds are, to some degree, inundated by the topic and it’s the one main piece of news I keep daily tabs on. Now, even if you’re not that into it, my opening claim still might seem a bit weak due to its air of triviality: “Saying we don’t talk about the world’s greatest threat isn’t a bold statement, Matt. We all know we should talk about it more.”
That would be a fine counter — there are plenty of things we know we should do, but don’t always actually find the time or will to do (i.e. flossing) — if not for the fact that we really don’t talk about climate change enough:
A large majority, 65%, of Americans talk about climate change less than once a week. The numbers are even worse for hearing about climate change in the media, 75% report not hearing about it at least weekly. (This tool from the Yale Program for Climate Change Communication is really great; I highly recommend checking it out: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/)
Imagine if these were the numbers of discussion for an asteroid hurtling towards us that threatened to upend global civilization and alter environmental conditions that humans have had for thousands of years. It’s simply inconceivable.
We need to talk about this issue more, with the idea behind more talking being a galvanization of support for stronger political measures to combat carbon emissions and climate change as a whole.
Insert title: I am writing to add to the conversation because we need more additions. Now, just spewing words out isn’t going to be effective; but, I’d like to imagine myself as someone with a modicum of skill when it comes to the written, or typed, word. And this has to go much farther than just words, namely to actions and policy change and political paradigm shifts.
Insert subtitle: In adding to your own discussion and engagement, this newsletter can be a tool or resource, whether to keep yourself informed or gain another perspective on climate happenings. I don’t have a strict curriculum of what will comprise this space of writing. It will be about the climate, climate change, things we can do to help, things we or others are doing to harm, and anything I deem merited to join the conversation.
Obviously, this does not need to be part of your own climate conversation cache, but if you’ve read to this line, then there is likely some chance that you think it would be a good addition. If that’s the case, I appreciate the welcome. If not, lol. Regardless, let’s ramp things up. If we get some handle on the situation by the dinner-time in the day that is my life, I just might be able to squeeze a little philosophy in at the back end. And, ya know, we’d alleviate a significant amount of suffering.
Also, this is a good way for me to actually become a better climate writer, practice and all that yadda.
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