Climate optimism is about shifting the narrative on climate change so that we can act with courage, curiosity, and excitement, not fear. It’s a mindset shift that sparks optimism, creativity, and solutions thinking while keeping a fact-based and awareness-driven approach to climate change.
On the opposite side of so-called ‘toxic positivity,’ which is rooted in denialism and wishful thinking, (sustainable) climate optimism exists in an intersection of grounded awareness and empowered action. Therefore, climate optimism is not about taking a step back and hoping for the best to happen. It’s about diving into awareness and choosing a path of resilience, action, and hope.
Climate optimism has gained a lot of attention in recent years. One way it shows up is in the increasing need for positive news and climate solutions. It’s also seen in the #SolarPunk movement where both AI-generated and human-made art is allowing us to envision a future in which the environment, people, and animals thrive.
Although climate optimism as a concept is growing in popularity, there’s also been some concern about its legitimacy and whether is a realistic way of seeing the world. Some even go as far as to say that climate optimism is dangerous. In such claims it serves to question the meaning of climate optimism and if it’s being mistaken for ‘passive optimism’ or ‘toxic positivity.’
Goðafoss, Iceland, 2024
Photography By Pamela EA
