To worry that the planet is heating faster than we have been led to expect and whether we can cope?

[100thingstoknowaboutspace]

I understand that extreme weather events, including spikes in temperatures and longer heatwaves, are a result of smaller incremental rises in global temperature. But the rate of heat records and large jumps in the temperatures during those spikes and heatwaves that we have experienced during the last 10 years feels off the scale for me, and I am wondering how we can actually cope if it continues at this pace? Climate experts talk about 2 degrees warming by mid century, but if we experience heatwaves that are 5 or more degrees hotter or go on longer than this one, I genuinely don't understand how we will cope. At the moment my flat is only just tolerable - with every measure of cooling I could think of. A few degrees more, and survival is literally threatened. Whereas humans may be able to cope with 5, 10 etc degrees lower, as it is easier to heat up, it seems we are reaching the edge of survivability in terms of being able to stay cool enough to maintain life. Not only here in the UK obviously.

I do believe there is still action that we as individuals and as a country (which in turn may impact other countries) can take, but I am scared that things are worse than even experts, in their carefully hedged or caveated statements and predictions, cause us to believe. I am worried I won't be able to keep my child safe as they grow up.

Grateful if anyone can talk me down from this climate anxiety - and also, grateful for insight about what might be most effective for us to do.

All those "reports" are paid for by people with a vested interest in getting you to part with your money. Ever noticed how the answer to "climate change" is always a levy, tarrif or fine? Calm down. It's all hype.

First reply is the problem OP. We've been told for years there's a problem but people are obsessed with conspiracy theories.

Sadly I don't really think that's the case. And there is an equally - if not more - powerful lobby among the oil and gas industries, and I assume increasingly data centre providers etc. Anyways, the fact remains that the weather is very obviously changing, for the worse.

You're conflating multiple things, particularly the difference between weather and climate. Yes it might be 5 degrees warmer in Europe this week, but you're comparing it to a predicted average global rise of 2 degrees. That's a very different thing.

I also think it's wrong of you to say that it's warming faster than we have been lead to expect. Scientists have been warning about this for decades and mostly been ignored. Even now you have people arguing on here for free air conditioning, willfully ignoring that this would only make the situation worse.

On the positive side, it's not too late to make changes, but it needs to be internationally coordinated, and the small minded people who think it's not their problem need to actually do their part.

Yes it is, no we can't. Humans are fucked and are going to die out, but the planet will continue and probably be better off for it.

Yes I agree 2 degrees is predicted - but the impact of this is much greater, in terms of the extremes. And it honestly feels like it is gathering pace.

If it is true then its already too late.

I don't believe it myself.

20,000 years ago, I would have been less than a quarter of a mile from a glacier. Today, the same place is 32 degrees. Never mind 2 degrees rise. What caused the more than 32 degrees rise with few humans?

5,000 years ago, the Sahara was lush green. Now look at it. Did humans cause that too? Probably all that huffing and puffing building the pyramids.

I'm not a climate scientist, but I do have a role in advising government on how to deal with changed climate. I am absolutely not being paid by anyone with a vested interest.

It's people like you, confidently spouting nonsense despite having no clue or qualifications, that are part of the problem

You need to learn to adapt OP.

This is part of what alarms me. I don't want to live through, or have my child, or grandchildren, live through the agony of that.

I am sorry that I can not talk you down. In so far as you are probably correct. Scientists are very careful about setting out predictions. To the point of underplaying it. The media on the other hand can be very irresponsible about communicating scientific findings. There are many invested interests in the status quo, which means downplaying climate change and attacking plans to mitigate it. Global heating is unfortuantely a positive feedback cycle (as it increases it gets stronger - worse from our perspective).

However, a good thing to do to turn your anxiety into action. This could be educating yourself about it so you can have solid arguments. Or a step further: making sure you do what you can to personally reduce your carbon emissions. Or even more, join an action group or change career.

I am a science teacher. I have evaluated my life choices. I engage in climate change science. I am pesimistic, but being engaged keeps me sane.

I am worried that we can't.

Nope, you need to calm down. The planet will be just fine. We might struggle, but the planet won't care.

I'm curious why you don't believe the science around climate change, but you do believe the science about ice ages and the Sahara. Why are you picking and choosing which bits of science to believe, and what are your qualifications to do so?

You say your flat has every degree of cooling but does it have air con? That’s how people in hotter countries manage and it will soon become the norm here I imagine.

It’s very hot I agree but there isn’t any point choosing to worry about it to any extreme. We can all do our small bit and then hope governments act too.

We've been promised imminent cataclysm since 1980. We just need to improve tech to keep people cool.

I bloody hope so but people are so backwards about it.

Unfortunately the people who benefit the most from actively destroying the planet can afford to live in air conditioned cocoons, and I'm sure many of them reason to themselves that by the time the planet is bordering uninhabitable, civil unrest is widespread due to mass migrations from hot countries to slightly less hot countries, and we're struggling to produce enough food and water for everyone, they'll be in their graves having enjoyed the high life off the back of everyone else's suffering and it won't matter to them.

Do you believe the moon is made of cheese too? That the earth is flat?

We have hard scientific evidence that climate change is a major, major problem. Funnily enough do you know who started the rumor that it's all hype to cost us money? The multi million companies who are the biggest contributors to climate change who would take a massive financial hit if we addressed it the way we need to and held them accountable. It's all there in black and white if you do even a little research. This is not uncommon knowledge.

This.

The information is there and has been for a very long time.

The problem is, people can not/ will not see and accept it.

It hasn't been this hot since 1976

It wasn't this hot in 1976!

Look up Zeke Hausfather on Bluesky. He is a very good climate scientist and an amazing communicator.

Also Katharine Hayhoe.
We need to lobby and vote.
Eat less meat and dairy. Less!
China is reacting fast to climate change. We need to do the same.

I am scared that things are worse than even experts, in their carefully hedged or caveated statements and predictions, cause us to believe.

As a pp said, scientists have been warning about this for decades so it hasn’t been hedged or caveated.

I also recall experts having 2050 as an estimated timeframe for significant changes. Sadly that’s only 24 years away now.