The Climate Book

Thunberg calls for individual and systemic change, which are both necessary to limit climate change. Humans are social and adopt the views and behaviors of their peers; since few recognize the climate crisis, many feel it is not an emergency. The Swedish term “flygskam,” meaning “flight shame,” is used in an anti-flying movement designed to demonstrate that modern society is unsustainable. Thunberg argues “folkbilgning,” translated as “broad, free, voluntary public education” (325), should be emphasized. Education is the most effective way to combat climate change, as it helps people understand how to address the climate crisis. Debating climate change topics is pointless without public education and has led to “culture wars,” delays, and distractions. Although lifestyle changes are important, individual climate action should ideally involve activism. Climate change is a crisis, meaning everyone needs to work together and do everything possible to limit the changes.

Stuart Capstick, an environmental and social scientist, and Lorraine Whitmarsh, an environmental scientist and psychologist, note the disparity between the climate crisis and the subdued responses. Individual actions seem futile when compared to the need for systemic change. The area between systemic and individual actions is where meaningful change takes place. Individual actions inspire