19. Eco-Anxiety, Agency, & Hope for the Future

Question 1

What is prof’s advice to avoid eco-anxiety?

Answer 1

be skeptical and not cynical, remember that most people are fundamentally decent, we have solved big problems in the past, the world can come together in crisis, the kids are alright, and steady progress is everywhere

Question 2

Explain people are fundamentally decent?

Answer 2

people usually stay calm and orderly in disaster scenarios, there is never total mayhem and crime usually drops (Titanic, 9/11, natural disasters, 6 teenage boys surviving on a deserted island for over a year)

Question 3

Explain the 4 major environmental threats we’ve addressed

Answer 3

DDT, eutrophication, acid rain, ozone hole

Question 4

Explain how the world comes together in times of crisis

Answer 4

ex. WWII - most of the world came together to fight fascism

ex. COVID-19 - initially people were mostly respectful of each other and distancing, masking, and isolating

Question 5

Explain how the kids are alright

Answer 5

younger generations are more sustainable than their parents

Question 6

Explain how the world is progressing

Answer 6

things are changing for the better (world population growth is slowing without any coercion, some good news biodiversity stories, pledges made to address climate change)