Coping with climate change and earth’s sixth mass extinction

Extreme changes in Earth’s climate have played a major role in each of our planet’s five previous mass extinctions. Most recently when a fiery asteroid ended the reign of the dinosaurs, it was not the impact itself that caused the most devastation. In the minutes after the asteroid hit, the atmosphere was superheated by raining rock and lava. As ash blanketed the planet, every ecosystem on Earth lost the sun’s vital light and warmth. The plants and animals that withstood the rapid warming and subsequent cooling of the planet had to survive years of scarcity and starvation and yet this event is what allowed the rise of mammals and eventually, humanity. In short, there are incredible animals on this planet that have survived one or multiple mass extinctions, but man is not one of them. Life on our planet may be entering its sixth mass extinction, but we are entering our first.

Each time I learn of the latest predictions regarding the climate crisis, I make a mental note of how old I’ll be when these consequences become fully real. As a 26-year-old, I have my fingers crossed that I won’t live to see most of what is predicted to happen by 2100. But the reality is, I probably will. If something dire is “going to happen” by 2050, it will almost certainly transpire in my fifties, or even ten or twenty years earlier.

In fact, “faster than expected” and “unprecedented” are phrases I expect to hear in the news for the rest of my life. I don’t plan on having children, partially because of the environmental collapse scientists expect. Then again, I’m a young professional still living with her parents as the cost of living continues to rise faster than my pay, so it’s not like I could afford to have kids even if I wanted them. People over 40 act very surprised by my determination to remain childless. Those under 40 understand or feel the same way much more often. 

Ultimately, I find it hard to write about my thoughts on climate change. Most global issues, however terrible and impactful, end up having simple solutions. It’s about turning enough people to your side and encouraging them to be an active participant in resolving the problem. Activists have tried to tackle climate change in the same way, but the complexity of society and the effects man has had on our planet paint a bleak picture of the future. As a child, I was taught to “reduce, reuse, and recycle,” and I still do what I can to live by those principles. It’s difficult, however, to imagine these efforts make a difference when we discover plastic in human wombs, in the depths of the Marianas Trench, and on the peaks of the Himalayas. 

There are, however, things I believe each of us can and must do going forward. Not to prevent fundamental climate change and biodiversity loss, that is happening regardless. The damage I feel responsible for now is what will directly impact humanity as we try to adapt to our new reality and collectively mourn our old one. 

First, and perhaps most importantly, we must do everything we can to prevent demagogues and dictators from climbing the ladder of power. This is where our votes and our public action will continue to matter most. Climate change will cause mass migrations of human beings across borders worldwide. And, the difference between leaders who show compassion for migrants and leaders who scapegoat and dehumanize them will become even more stark as the crisis worsens. If we want to prevent human suffering as much as we can, our society will have to learn to accept mass human migration. 

Secondly, each of us must practice daily patience and kindness with each other. It is easy to be irritable when it is hot. It is easy to be cruel when we are scared. It is easy to thirst for violence when resources are scarce. Just as we need to elect leaders with compassion for those suffering, we have to also show compassion for each other, even when it’s hard. In short, we will need each other in order to survive. 

Finally, I believe it’s crucial to find the beauty in the little things of life. Constant despair gets us nowhere. For example, getting to see the recent solar eclipse was incredibly special. How cool is it that our moon is the exact size and distance from our planet that it will cover the sun and allow the corona to be seen by the naked eye? How amazing is it to be alive at a time where we can explain that phenomenon and plan to be in the perfect spot to view it? Looking ahead, I hope that sunrises and sunsets continue to inspire me with their beauty no matter what happens next. I hope human beings continue to sing and laugh and make art even in the face of extinction. I hope our resiliency and joy offer us grace against the consequences of our mistakes.