{"id":342265,"date":"2024-09-07T10:54:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-07T08:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=342265"},"modified":"2024-09-07T10:54:52","modified_gmt":"2024-09-07T08:54:52","slug":"met-office-pander-to-climate-extremists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=342265","title":{"rendered":"Met Office Pander To Climate\u00a0Extremists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Paul Homewood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Met Office long ago ceased to be a serious scientific organisation. Here\u2019s more evidence:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As part of our August climate theme of climate anxiety, Emma Lawrance, Neil Jennings and Jessica Newberry Le Vay from Imperial College London have written this guest post on concerns around the psychological impact of working in climate science fields and on others in society alarmed by climate change.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cClimate change can directly affect the emotional well-being of Earth [climate] scientists and professionals. Like the physical processes of climate change, the emotional effects are complex and multifaceted.\u201d1<\/a><\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The unfolding climate crisis necessitates a rapid transformation of our societies. In practice, this means every career should be a \u2018climate career,\u2019 with calls in the UK for climate education to appropriately prepare children for a changing world2<\/a><\/sup>. It also means that the climate crisis should be the biggest on-going news story around. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate scientists have made it their life\u2019s work to understand and predict what rising concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere mean for the climate, and what impact it will have on people and the natural world on which societies depend. They are increasingly sounding the alarm that action on climate change is not happening fast enough, while witnessing the spread of misinformation, which can sow doubt and delay meaningful action.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Climate Cares Centre at Imperial College London, we hear from climate experts on the psychological toll of this work and what it can mean for their mental health. What it takes to be faced with the facts of the crisis day after day. To see the gap between the need and pace of action. And to feel the backlash from talking about the result of carbon pollution publicly3<\/a><\/sup> \u2013 from media commentators, social media trolls, and sometimes in their own personal relationships. Scientists speak of stress, anxiety, depression and burnout, all while facing a perceived need to separate their emotions from their work as a scientist.<\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Widespread impacts on mental health<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While climate scientists may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological toll of climate awareness, the mental health consequences of the climate crisis are widespread. As well as the range of emotions and distress that climate awareness can understandably engender, the escalating consequences of a warming world \u2013 such as extreme weather, food and water insecurity, violence, forced migration \u2013 are leading to new cases of mental health challenges and worsening existing ones (such as post-traumatic stress, depression and suicide risk). Conversely, but vitally, climate actions can have win-wins for mental health, such as from cleaner air, greener cities, better housing, more equal societies, heathier ways to eat and move around, and stronger social bonds and communities.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the negative consequences of climate change on mental health and wellbeing can reduce the capacity of individuals, communities and systems to be able to take climate action and achieve the necessary transformation of societies. We hear of students turning away from studying climate- and environment-related subjects or leaving climate-related careers because of a lack of support to manage the emotional and mental health impact. While there is a relative paucity of research on the topic, burnout and overwhelm among climate researchers and policymakers may hold back action and put the necessary goal of every career being a climate career at risk. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people around the world care about climate change, more than they think others do<\/em><\/a>, and want appropriate climate action from their leaders6<\/a><\/sup> 7<\/a><\/sup>. It is vital for those with the knowledge \u2013 in science, media and policy \u2013 to raise the alarm and highlight the urgent need for action. But different narratives can lead to different responses. At opposite ends of the scale, techno-optimism and fatalism\/doomerism8<\/a><\/sup> are narratives that lead to present-day inaction. Both fail to acknowledge the uncertainties, nuances and complexities of the present and future, and how these make it both essential and valuable for us to act faster now.  Scientists must walk a tightrope of sounding the alarm, communicating the paths to different possible futures, and helping people hold the uncertainties in ways that still catalyse action. There is much to grieve and be angry about, and much to protect and work towards \u2013 a future where the climate crisis creates a reckoning of what we really value, fight for and want to have in abundance9<\/a><\/sup>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When sounding the alarm feels too alarming<\/a><\/blockquote>