The overwhelming number of environmental calamities we face overshadows environmental success stories and this undermines efforts to build support for ecological action. People concerned about the state of the environment understandably spend a lot of time talking about unresolved issues. Sadly, there is much to talk about, from soaring temperatures and extreme weather, to rising oceans and climbing levels of GHGs. Around the world, we are witnessing urban landscapes choked by smog and forests that are steadily being depleted. While these are undeniably critical issues, we must not forget that despite the scope of environmental problems, solutions are possible nonetheless.

In addition to highlighting the obstacles, we must underscore environmental victories. Realizing that solutions are possible energizes people to act on other pressing issues.

The extent of ecological degradation makes it easy to succumb to fatalistic despair. However, this type of paralysis prevents us from addressing the threats arrayed against us. When confronted with seemingly intractable problems, people will often choose to ignore an issue rather than venture to hope for change. This is called escape-avoidance-learning. In this paradigm, people learn to avoid unpleasant or stressful situations.

To get people involved in meaningful change, we must first muster the hope to believe that there is a way out. The unwavering reliance on the hard facts espoused by some environmentalists can be counterproductive. Such an approach ignores the monumental victories of the past. Read More→

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