Are Climate Activists Hysterical?

As climate change has become a buzzword over the past few years especially, it also has turned into a topic that has been causing a lot of heated arguments for the past few years. While climate scientists, environmentalists and climate activists warn about the negative outcomes of the climate change and resulting environmental changes and natural disasters, some other groups, who are mainly identified as climate deniers, say that climate activists are hysterical.

There are some online articles in which climate deniers directly blame climate activists and say climate activists are making unnecessary voices and are creating fear among the common public. Such articles can be read from here and here. Archived & Archived

Are climate activists hysterical and the arguments on climate change impacts are overhyped ? First let’s look at some of the climate activist groups

There are a number of movements and organizations around the world who campaign against the human actions which can accelerate climate change and force the governments and other stakeholders to take immediate actions in this regard. Here is a list of such global organizations

Founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom, and having worldwide reach at present, the Extinction Rebellion group is one such example, related to climate activism. There is a group claiming to be a part of the global Extinction Rebellion movement in Sri Lanka as well, organizing protests related to climate change and environmental conservation. Their Facebook page can be reached from here. Archived

The Extinction Rebellion movement strongly believes that climate change is a massive threat to humanity as well as all biodiversity of the planet Earth. And they believe that extinction of life from the face of Earth could happen due to global climate change. Despite their claims to be peaceful protesters, there are some instances of property damages and occupying government buildings and private sector influential organizations to demand their voice against greenhouse gas emissions, industries, etc.

Hence, there are mixed views regarding climate activists in the UK over their behaviors and ways of influence. According to a survey, 54% of the UK population are strongly against or oppose their behavior pattern while 36% of the population are strongly in agreement or somewhat supporting attitudes over this controversial behavior. More details about this can be reached from here . Archived

While a lot of youth have attracted these movements worldwide , there are few celebrities also joining hands to raise their voice against impacts of climate change as well.

Scientists also have joined climate activism and Scientist Rebellion is one such group who believe that in spite of their numerous presentations over the last few decades on climate crisis, very little action has been taken and hence are calling upon all scientists to join them in non-violent direct action on this matter.

So are all these activists who talk about the global climate change and its impacts on Earth and its biodiversity with all living species do so with a hysterical mindsets. Lets look at the facts

When climate activists warn about the possible high risk to the planet Earth and its living beings including the human race from global climate change , some groups of people say that it`s not a problem in the present and it`s a matter of future, hence, there is no need to take the issue seriously.

But, in reality adverse impacts of climate change have severely impacted all living beings including humans over the past few decades. Weather patterns have already changed in many parts of the world devastating floods in Pakistan are a “wake-up call” to the world on the threats of climate change. Not only that, climate change has had a significant impact on agriculture and related industries as well. Glaciers are melting rapidly. Sea levels are rising and some small island nations are at risk of being wiped out. The nearest example in South Asia is Maldives. More explained view about this can be taken from our previous  article from here. Archived.

According to some reports, the current rate of global emissions can cause a four and five degrees increment of warming by 2100. It can cause a major crisis as countries located around the equator would become unsuitable for human habitation and people might have to migrate to countries in the northern hemisphere as refugees, leading to a lot of social problems as well. And it will escalate the massive food crisis in the world also. Details about this can be read from here. Archived 

Pointing out the facts why climate change should be addressed urgently, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) mentions some present events that disrupts normal human life, other living beings and biodiversity. According to them, rising temperatures have caused extreme weather events, chunks of the ice in Iceland have fallen apart and wildfire seasons in countries like Australia, US are longer now rather than usual. Coral reefs have been bleached of their colors and mosquitoes are expanding territory due to weather pattern changes. These are only a few issues, which were extracted among a lot of other urgent issues. Descriptive article about this can be read from here. Archived.

According to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the world is already 1.2 degree Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times and every fraction of increment counts seriously to the habitants of the world. Not only to the humans but to all living beings living here. According to UN research reports, 2 degree Celsius above the industrial time temperature can cause droughts, devastating floods, wildfires and more storms. While participating in the COP 26 summit at the end of 2021, the UN secretary general expressed the statement below.

 “Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe. It is time to go into emergency mode — or our chance of reaching net-zero will itself be zero.” Explanatory article of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) can be read from here.Archived.

While its true that if the catalysts for climate change continue at present rates, most negative impacts of climate change will be consumed by future generations, its not a matter that should be taken lightly, rather with high priority, as socially responsible public. Shedding light on these statement, the prominent environmental organization, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) clarifies that we are fortunate to live in a planet where there is good atmosphere, green forests and our future generations also deserve to live in such a good environment. They further emphasize that the climate issue is very important. An explanation about this can be read from here. Archived.

From the above-mentioned evidence, it`s clear that the climate change is very much real and is a grave concern for current as well as future generations. While at times some of the climate activists could be exaggerating the facts its misleading to call all climate activists are as hysterical. The warnings they release about climate change have significant scientific basis too.