Climate change, urgency, and an imperfect contribution. This personal reflection may be of interest to those with emerging interest in climate change & hopefully of interest to my fellow psychologists before launch of the PSI's SIG later this month
The irony of people flying to Europe into almost unliveable heat for summer holidays on planes that are causing the unliveable heat. Isn’t it odd no one is talking about this?
Im not a vegetarian or vegan, but I'm reducing meat and dairy. I'm not an environmentalist but Ive stopped flying (almost completely) and started cycling to work. Im not an activist (by self identity) but I'm making changes and speaking about climate change everywhere I can.
It is a challenge to read this. The forecast for societal collapse by the worlds leading scientific consensus group is terrifying. Is it just too scary to look at? Do we treat it as if its got to be an exaggeration because we cant imagine this being real?
It’s not possible to work from home and mind young children. It’s not possible to work from home and mind young children. It’s not possible to work from home and mind young children. It’s not possible to....Just in case some of you are striving under the illusion it should be.
I'm a dad and privileged white Northern European male who is terrified of whats coming for my kids and the natural world at large. You don't have to be part of a particular interest group to care about the devastation we are all facing if we don't act. This belongs to us all.
@GeorgeMonbiot
I am absolutely staggered that this doesn’t appear on the
@rtenews
website. This should be headline news all over the world. The level of avoidance is unbelievable. This threat effects everyone of us, our children and their future, profoundly.
As one of so called 'middle Ireland'. Read the room. I don't want tax cuts. I welcome progressive tax increases on those who make the most. I want a stable and fair society, health, housing, public transport, education, food security and climate action.
Please please listen this is so important for whoever you are and you future and your children's future, It is imperative we all take action now. Nothing is more important.
Professor Kevin Anderson is addressing all of us in very clear words:
»We are heading towards 3 to 4°C of warming across this century, an absolute climate catastrophe for all species incl our own. And all we are doing so far is giving rhetoric and optimism and greenwash.«
🧵1/8
@IrishRainforest
We’ve been socialised into thinking that farming/green fields is nature. That ‘scrub land’ is waste land, that untidy verges are a mess, that animals/insects don’t belong with us. We’ve become deluded into thinking we’re not part of nature and can survive without it.
WOW! Listen close. The sound of a young generation speaking truth to power. Lauren deserves our full and total support. This is the time to stand with Lauren and all those who oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure. Our survival depends on it. Thank you for taking a stand.
I just spoke to my new nemesis CEO of
@Equinor
and its majority shareholder, the Norwegian government, at their AGM.
These are the very people who decide whether we avert climate catastrophe or keep throwing fuel on the crisis and let millions of people die. (pt. 2 in thread)
“We need leaders to take seriously that we are in a crisis. And when you're in a crisis, you have to be in crisis mode to deal with it.
The Elders strongly support phasing out fossil fuels.”
Mary Robinson as the 'March to
#EndFossilFuels
' begins in
#NYC
.
#FastFairForever
Corfu now being evacuated due to wildfires....pennies dropping anyone? flights, agriculture, industry etc etc emissions are causing this. We don't have to keep making it worse. We can work to stopping this process and saving what we still have left to save.
BREAKING: Greece's Emergency Communications Service has issued evacuation orders for 10 more areas of Corfu, due to wildfires.
Live updates:
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
Only 10% of all large fish left in global ocean
90 % all large fish including tuna, marlin, swordfish, sharks, cod are gone
5 million fish killed every minute by fishing industry
If fishing rates continue, world's fisheries will collapse by 2048.
We cannot save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed."
Climate activist Greta Thunberg said she won't stop rallying, despite a Swedish court fining her for disobeying police at a protest last month.
Good to see President Higgins standing up to this. "A fixation on a narrowly defined efficiency, productivity, perpetual growth has resulted in a discipline that has become blinkered to the ecological challenge – the ecological catastrophe – we now face."
Are you considering learning more about climate change? It’s quite the psychological journey. So here are some reflections that may help along the way. 1. Expect yourself to want to stop looking.1/
Huge respect to
@Mick_Finnegan
for continuing to pursue justice. Hard to believe organisations in Ireland are still in 2023, after all we've seen, incapable of treating survivors of abuse properly. Publish the report.
@mark_kernan
For sure. And the journey into awareness no doubt will involve experiencing pain and grief. So important compassion and understanding is a part of this journey, or many simply won’t engage. It’s a tricky balance!
A lack of access to psychological care DOES NOT justify prescribing of ineffective anti depressants to children and adolescents. In fact it makes this problem worse by masquerading as an adequate treatment, therefore nothing else needed.
30,000 people moved to safety as Rhodes wildfires rage via
@RTENews
. 30000!!! Good god. Hellish. Are we connecting the dots yet? Flights? Agricultural emissions? Etc etc. we are causing this. We can stop making it worse.
I don't believe this level of scrutiny would be occurring without the efforts of
@Mick_Finnegan
and others. Ireland owes you a huge debt of gratitude. Hopefully the safety of children will finally be put first. It is hard to believe we are still not protecting children properly.
"The board have questions to answer"
The Special Rapporteur on Child Protection
@caoilfhionnanna
confirms she has requested a meeting with the board and the child protection team at St John Ambulance concerning allegations of child sex abuse.
#rteinvestigates
#rtept
You maybe have started noticing the increased seriousness in recent climate scientific news, and the ever increasing climate shocks, and are wondering how to approach this subject. I’d strongly recommend reaching out to friends or family who are already engaged.
@xr_cambridge
Wouldn’t it be different if the winter Olympic was cancelled because there is no snow. The story being major events disrupted due to climate change. The fake snow simply covers over the reality, and the media seems ambivalent at best.
I didn't expect to become a climate activist. I am, mostly, because I'm a dad don't want my kids futures ruined. I'm willing to fight, change and put as much energy into it as I can. There isn't an activist 'type'. Be part of the 25%. All types needed!
This is extraordinary news. For all of us. Yet no word on
@rte
....what does this mean? Should we all continue to act as if this is not that important?
@jrc1921
I cannot believe he's emphasising carbon capture (it won't even scratch the surface of whats needed) and wanting to lock up protestors!! wrong wrong wrong.
No mention this is driven by climate change, that we are failing to address the issue, that these scenes will become worse and worse until we stop making the problem worse, no mention that we are responsible and that we can change.
@rtenews
wake up.
Time we all moved on this, urgently. We cannot adapt to the extremes we are herding for with huge changes. Massive reductions in greenhouses gases and restoration of biodiversity are a matter of survival.
So worrying. It’s time to talk about climate change. It’s a funny topic to bring up. We’re so used to not talking about it. But now is the time to move. You may be surprised how many people are also concerned when you broach it as we tend to underestimate others level of concern.
"This is an alarming situation."
The Director of Met Éireann, Eoin Moran, who is also a Vice-President of the World Meteorological Organisation explains why Europe in particular is experiencing a pattern of dangerously high temperatures.
@carolynmoore_ie
Wisdom in spades. Mary Robinson absolutely nails it here. If we don't act now in a 'moonshot', our children will have no future. Turbridys reaction is sadly typical, disconnected, and he like many in mainstream media, has some form on this.
@LindaAspey
That’s true! And I did wonder about saying that. I guess I was struggling to articulate the sense of group identity that may at times seem like a barrier to involvement (only activists, environmentalists etc are engaged in the issue).
I hope those families are ok and not too much damage has been caused. Must be very distressing. Flooding resulting from extreme weather resulting from global warming resulting from emissions. Reduce emissions, reduce damage. We are all in for it sooner or later. Lots to do.
"Lived experience practitioners are not only often the most person-centred members of the multidisciplinary team, but provide expertise that reorients all clinicians to what matters most to our service users." 100% agree
@Shrink_at_Large
One of my main climate goals this year was to get a heat pump installed. It's a big job replacing a gas boiler and several rads, but so far very much worth it. No longer burning gas (yay!) and with solar am generating as much of the energy I can from solar PV. Reflections 1/
@Barryburton97
I agree to a point, however the journey towards agreed upon limits (like a policy you suggest) includes people starting to limit their beh. The impact is as much to do with furthering a social tipping point and signalling political pressure, as it is about reducing emissions.
Rivers drying up across Europe, prolonged record breaking unliveable heat in china, disastrous floods in Pakistan and Afghanistan, drought across the US. These are not unrelated. Our climate is breaking down. Threatening all life, all societies. It’s because of fossil fuels.
@irishexaminer
Shockingly bad headline and unbelievably short sighted content. Seriously
@irishexaminer
. Climate collapse represents a major risk to human health, of societal collapse, food insecurity and of mass displacement of peoples. You really think tourism will be on people’s minds?
Delighted to announce the formation of the 'Addressing the Climate and Environmental Emergency' Special Interest Group within the Psychological Society of Ireland, to bring psychology into the national dialogue on climate change. More info coming soon!
''
@paullukins1
It’s cheap and lazy to predict doom and pointlessness. It’s challenging to try and create change and use your voice to move things in a different direction. We can change. There is a point to doing so and huge shifts in global lifestyle/economies can happen (happening already).
Glad
@rte
a dangerous heat wave coming later this week, and that it is caused by climate change. BUT no mention that it will get worse, we are causing it and what to do to reverse the damage. It’s like it is ‘just happening’ to us. Plus pics of people eating ice cream🙄.
Pleased to have added my name to this and our professional body is represented. The trauma being inflicted here is as severe as any trauma can be. For those who survive, no doubt it will leave generations of psychological wounding.
I've listened, and acted. Reduced flying, reduced meat, reduced car use, changed to heat pump, installed solar, engaged in protest and activism, organised climate cafes, spoken at every opportunity, and participated in professional climate oriented groups. So much we can all do.
@skynewsSam
@TheElders
@SkyNews
Love Mary Robinson. So proud she is Irish. Thanks for showing compassion and robust and forthright language. A true leader.
@sinead_ryan
It's entirely understandable to want to push away the reality of climate change. Especially when there is something so beautiful to enjoy. The trick perhaps is to hold both of these in mind; not minimise or deny, nor focus solely on the danger we face but somehow find middle path
‘Wake up’ says George Lee on
@rtenews
about the climate crisis. Yes!!! But. In case you were unsure how you can play a part see below. Time for our government to move with tremendous pace and intention. We have no time to waste.
I hope this represents a turning point in political disposition towards lobby groups who are promoting a climate denial position. Sometimes things get bumpy on the way to somewhere important. It is critical that our emissions come down.
@HollyCairnsTD
This isa really important move, signalling the fact that flying is a hugely polluting activity and if we are to reduce emissions, flying has to reduce also
Oil companies “shifted the guilt to people,” says Richard Wiles, head of
@climatecosts
. “Climate change is not a tragedy – it’s a crime that’s been forced upon [people] by the oil companies, who knew their products were going to do this and went ahead and lied about it anyway.”
Sometimes we need to measure our position on things through people we trust. It’s hard to think of a more credible Irish leader than Mary Robinson. Get angry, get active, get thinking, Mary Robinson tells public after alarming climate report.
it will shift your worldview on pretty much everything. There is a loss of the illusion of security and safety and a grief that comes with this. 8. Be prepared to feel a bit out of step with the world. 9. Find others. There are many with their eyes open already. Good luck😁
I'm taking a short break from twitter to spend some time with my family on a holiday. I feel very lucky to be able to do this. I'm assuming you all won't reform mental health services or stop ecological breakdown while I'm gone. But just in case DM me if Im missing it😉.
@NewstalkFM
@paulmurphy_TD
@kierancuddihy
@TheHardShoulder
Can I ask honestly why you keep profiling this man? No anti vaxers were given this level of profile during the pandemic, because an apparent equity of position is created dangerous to the social good, by the same token, no climate deniers during a climate emergency please.
Problems w this. What about the emissions they save from replacing cars? What about the deaths not caused by people driving cars? Comparison should be with cars not bikes. E-bikes not as beneficial for health as cycling - study via
@RTENews
I have considerable concern that the ‘4th wave’ is something that won’t receive the kind of support that will be needed. As hard as it is not to focus on what’s happening now, we should also be considering our response to the immense trauma that is currently unfolding.
Good reporting on
@rte
on climate change urgency and risks. Mentioning existential risk, flood risks, need for significant changes in Ireland. And recognising role of global warming in European fires. Urgency to act is becoming more known and accepted. I hope, hope, we move big.
Delighted to have had a chance to present on addressing suicide in mental health care to politicians at Leinster house today. Great energy and commitment for improving care for suicidal people. Thanks to
@SenLynnRuane
for inviting me!
Greenland temperatures surge up to 50 degrees above normal, setting records - The Washington Post. Hey
@rtenews
maybe worth noting this unbelievable event? Or more head in the sand denial ignoring the most significant thing occurring on earth?
'The era of global warming has ended. The era of global boiling has arrived'
UN Secretary General António Guterres warns of 'unbreathable' air and 'unbearable' temperatures to come.
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
@rtenews
Nor should we be. Genocide is not something you should ever be ‘politically neutral’ about. That doesn’t mean we are not also appalled by oct 7.
Very pleased to have added my name to this list of health care professionals in Ireland demanding an immediate ceasefire. The gov must support south africas case, and use our relationship to stand up to our allies in EU, US and UK.
This letter, signed by over 1000 allied healthcare professionals working in Ireland feature in the article below.
I am immensely proud to be a part of the Irish medical community.
Our message is clear: Ceasefire now!
Full list of signatures:
#Gaza
Patting ourselves on the back for hitting climate targets while emissions are still rising is incredible denial. The physics of climate change doesnt care less how hard we are trying or how many targets we are hitting. If we keep increasing our emissions we are failing.
No one ‘wants young people to be terrified’…! They are terrified because of what’s occurring. Most people are dramatically under reacting to the reality we face. We can support each other in the face if this enormous challenge. But to do that, we must face directly into it.
"One in four describe themselves.. this is a sample of 10,000 students.. as 'terrified'"
@think_or_swim
quotes a survey on young people's anxiety around climate change.
An excellent example of progressing an evidenced based model of Suicide prevention in delivering services. Suicide specific mental health care should be a priority for mental health service development and policy
This is extraordinarily worrying. We still have an opportunity to mobilise a significant shift in agricultural production to help us prepare for the potential food insecurity coming. I have no doubt if we turn our hearts and minds to this, we can meet this challenge.
Crop yields are up to 60% down in parts of Europe affected by extreme heat. In Northern Europe, wet and cold conditions are ruining the harvest. And Russia is blocking Black Sea exports from Ukraine.
Expect trouble ahead.
@AnneCooke14
We worked like this for many yrs. The idea that people would somehow end up ‘dependent’ on endless sessions of therapy simply didn’t pan out. Most stayed in therapy for between 6-18mths. The autonomy to collaboratively choose when to discontinue was rarely if ever misused.
This is profoundly destructive and effects us all. There is only one environment, only one climate. We are all going to pay dearly for this recklessness. What’s so tragic is that countries like the UK could be powering ahead on decarbonisation. The barrier is greed.
This is deeply concerning, and no matter how habituated or disconnected you may feel...it really is arguably the most important thing you will ever read about. And yes, all of our contributions matter.
“We want women leaders to urge that we have a ceasefire because you cannot fight a crime with a crime”: Mary Robinson joins
@AminaJMohammed
& fellow women leaders to call for a ceasefire in
#Gaza
& fresh efforts for a lasting two-state solution.
#WomenForPeace
#Israel
#Palestine
🚨 ST PAUL'S SERVICE DISRUPTED BY REVEREND AND TEACHER
⛪️ Today's Thanksgiving Service in St. Paul's Cathedral was interrupted by Sue Parfitt, 81, an active Anglican priest and retired psychotherapist from Bristol, and Judy Bruce, 83, a biology teacher from Swansea.
🛢 They
Cognitive dissonance anyone? Such a beautiful day out. I went for a run on howth harbour, in shorts and T-shirt. It’s October. If you need to resolve your dissonance, acknowledge the climate crisis, commit to action, and get back to enjoying the beautiful sunshine in the now.
@imswimming3
@Atoes84
Better to over react a bit now (and chuckle later if we can) than under react and be deeply wounded or haunted by ‘what ifs’ in the wake of death of loved ones, friends and colleagues.
What does it say when the places we travel to on holidays have the shoes of dead migrants washing up on beaches? Our 'normal' way of life is crumbling. The only question we should be asking is, how do we move forward in a more humane way, while protecting the most vulnerable?
Why are tv reports
@rte
of the wildfires in Maui not talking about global warming…it’s so odd…clearly it’s a causal factor increasing likelihood…too hard to say out loud? Collective guilt? Easier to blame a lack of sirens? Socially reinforced avoidance. Denial in action.
“We serve you to only to fill the emptiness and loneliness of your own society”
If you do one thing today, watch this speech by Colombia’s president at the UN. 1/2
For a short while I forgot about Covid 19. I was distracted and felt at ease. Then remembered and for a moment it seemed entirely unreal. Like it was only real in my mind, a mem of a bad movie. Then a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Fear. Worry. Sadness. What a time.