Rizwan Basir

Opinion | How to change the minds of people too busy to care about climate change

Too many people are in survival mode, with scant mental space to contemplate climate change. To persuade them to care, they must be shown empathy and immediate tangible benefits

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Climate protesters at the Cop28 UN climate conference in Dubai on December 12. The Climate Reality Barometer survey, spanning 39 economies, reveals that Generation Z are more preoccupied with inflation than climate issues. Photo: AFP

Rizwan Basir

Published: 3:30pm, 29 Mar 2024Updated: 5:24pm, 29 Mar 2024

Over the years, countless environmentalists have focused on persuading the public to acknowledge the urgency of climate change through data and science. But to establish a genuine connection with people around the world – whose actions wield the greatest influence in combating climate change – it’s crucial to grasp what truly matters to them.

More than ever, the climate community should shift its focus towards empathy, addressing the immediate and essential day-to-day needs of individuals.

Let’s face it, the planet’s well-being isn’t on everyone’s list of top concerns. The survey, spanning 39 economies, reveals that Generation Z are more preoccupied with inflation.

It’s a reflection of our times. With attention spans shrinking and complexity increasing, people tend to focus on immediate, tangible problems. And it’s not confined to the younger demographic; this inclination transcends age groups, reflecting a broader societal shift in priorities.

In countries like China, for instance, while climate awareness is prevalent in theory, the public perceive climate change as posing a higher risk to the nation than themselves, their families or local communities. Interestingly, this perception doesn’t necessarily translate into a willingness to adopt climate-friendly actions.

Instead, factors such as personal benefits and costs, including economic opportunities, daily expenses, health and education, emerge as significant predictors of attitudes towards climate action.