I’d say the problem lies in holding any fixed idea of where we are or where we’ll go. There is no rowing back, because rowing back is a story — it’s as fictional as the idea that things are irredeemable — or redeemable for that matter. Neither idea hold any substance.

Any time we decide that we are in a particular, fixed place then that’s the reality we create in our heart and mind and the place from which we decide what action is possible.

If it’s a hopeless place then most likely our actions and creativity will reflect that in terms of the energy we’re able to bring to them — because we’ve made a value judgement and put limitations on it.

I believe the biggest problem people have is that they’ve grown up in a society that tells them that life is a zero-sum game. That things are either bad or good. Irredeemable or redeemable. But (as you know) these dualistic ideas are a falsehood.

So the opportunity is to ‘pay attention’ to the science as an objective reference point and choose a narrative that’s more helpful.

This might feel contradictory, but as F Scott Fitzgerald said: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

I’d argue that it’s our responsibility to choose a better story — one that serves us to do everything we can to lessen the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable populations, species and ecosystems on the planet. And I don’t think labelling it all as ‘a bit fucked’ is in service of this.

All we really have is this moment and an opportunity to choose — everything else, that isn’t objective reality, is drama.

A poem from my dear friend Maaike sums this all up for me:

I hope you remember -

life is sacred and so are you.

If to be in service is to be in joy,

what would you do differently?

With respect and gratitude for the opportunity to exchange ideas, Julian.