Raise Hell, Not Awareness

There seems to be a persistent myth within the environmental movement; if we find and speak the right words, then everyone will acknowledge that acting on the climate crisis is the right thing to do. This is a serious and most egregious mistake.

It is built upon two flawed assumptions. The first is that most people are unaware of climate change. The second is that our inaction on climate change is due to that lack of awareness.

We must refocus our efforts from communicating that climate change “is a problem” to “it is a problem that requires us to act now.” It is the urgency of action, rather than the magnitude of the threat, that requires our focus.

Despite poll after poll showing that Americans overwhelmingly support action on climate change, we are complacent to the point of inaction. It is time to break out of our complacency.

We must make those who are comfortable, uncomfortable. We must make those who live in denial, see truth. We must tell the truth but not exaggerate it.

It’s time to stop raising awareness. It’s time to start raising hell.