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We need more Climate Optimism and Climate Optimists. Pessimism paralyses. The best thinkers on climate change advocate optimism, which can lead to innovation and creativity.
Daily, I ask people: what makes them optimistic? Regarding climate change, what prompts the belief that we can moderate and reverse the damaging effects of climate change?
I draw optimism from my involvement as a Board Member with Yarra Valley Water and Vicwater. At Yarra Valley Water, we have strategic commitments to optimism, bravery and "care for country". Just last week, Yarra Valley Water was named the top-ranking water company on the prestigious Financial Times Climate Leaders list for 2023.
Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, sees optimism in planning and perseverance. She challenges us not to despair or deny but to view the challenge of climate change as a call to action.
Joyce Msuya, a self-declared "eternal, impatient optimist" and the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, sees promise in our collective knowledge and the tools at our disposal. She sees hope in the increased public commitment to environmental change. The groundswell of commitment grows each day and contributes to her optimism.
Climate optimism is evident in the words of Sir James Bevan, recently retired Chief Executive of the United Kingdom's Environment Agency, who makes a simple yet compelling case: we know what the problem is, we know how to solve it, we have started to do it, and if we continue, we will succeed.
People like UN Climate Adaptation Director Youssef Nassef believe in the imminent ability of humankind to reverse its damaging relationship with nature. Nassef's optimism lies in the belief in human potential, which is also echoed by Sarah Lazarovic, Head of Communications and Brand at Rewiring America. For Lazarovic, there's no other way to be but a clear-eyed optimist. We know what needs to be done and have the tools to do it, and she witnesses a world of people working towards a sustainable future with unyielding energy.
Our optimism is also fueled by individuals like Claude Fussler, Founding Partner at Académie Durable, who believes in the power of simple yet effective initiatives to protect nature and conserve resources. His optimism is rooted in our collective responsibility and the desire to leave a better world for our children.
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and climate scientist Michael Mann offer a broader perspective. They highlight the vibrant contributions of various societal sectors, particularly the younger generation, as sources of hope and optimism. This sentiment is further supported by Vicki Barmby, a Climate Science Manager with over 20 years of experience. Barmby says, "We are at a tipping point, and that tipping point will see amazing change. I am truly excited about that."
The optimism of youth is also captured in the thoughts of Courtney Schneider, who returned from COP27 with renewed hope for the future. Schneider's optimism lies in the belief that solutions exist and that youth worldwide are ready to tackle the climate crisis. This sentiment is echoed by Malcolm Crompton and Gerald Butts, who see the rising generation as the force that will take significant action against climate change.
When someone asks me about what makes me optimistic, I think about the abundance of wisdom, dedication, and progress happening every day. Whether it's my involvement with Yarra Valley Water and Vicwater and the younger generation pushing for change and implementing innovative solutions, I am convinced that we should cultivate more optimistic attitudes towards climate change and those who champion climate optimism.
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