How stubborn optimism is fighting climate change
What is climate optimism?
I’ve come to realize that most people don’t resist action because they don’t care. They resist because they’re overwhelmed, afraid, or unsure of where to begin.
Humans naturally resist change, especially when it's framed through fear and doom. That kind of messaging might grab attention, but it rarely inspires lasting action.
In fact, when the climate crisis feels distant, vague, or too massive to tackle, fear-based narratives can actually make people shut down.
That is why we need to reframe the story.
When we paint a picture of what we’re working toward – a beautiful, just, and regenerative world — we activate a different part of ourselves. We allow ourselves to get inspired, excited, and optimistic, and invite new thoughts and inspirations to emerge.
It’s that vision of a better future, not the fear of a worse one, that keeps us motivated, hopeful, and ready to act.
Christiana Figueres used stubborn optimism to help spearhead the Paris Agreement through collaborative diplomacy.
“Stubborn optimism is not the result of success — it’s the necessary mindset before success.”
A world is ending - let it.
Shift your focus: act on what you can build, instead of getting stuck in what we’re trying to avoid. An unlivable future is alarming, but not very motivating when it comes to sparking action.
The future is still ours to shape, and it can be a beautiful one if we choose the right mindset to guide us forward.
“The world isn’t ending. A world is ending. Our job is to midwife the next one.”
– Earthly Education
A tough time for optimism.
Full transparency, the world has gotten harder to navigate optimistically since I embarked on this journey as a Climate Optimist many years ago. Most days, we are all wondering if there are any reasons for optimism left.
The short answer to that is: yes. But we must remember that optimism isn’t a choice, it’s a practice.
So, show up.
What’s one small choice you could make today that brings you closer to that vision? Remember, your everyday actions — what you support, how you connect, the stories you amplify — are all part of something bigger.
Join conversations that are inclusive and solution-focused. Find joy in showing up with others. And don’t forget to care for your emotional resilience along the way.
This work isn’t just about saving the planet — it’s about saving your sense of agency, wonder, and curiosity for what comes next. Stubborn optimism means showing up, again and again, because you believe the future is still yours to shape.
