Last week I was on a podcast hosted by noted climate journalist, Andy Revkin. We were talking about where things stand with global warming right now.
One thing we discussed was that it’s clear humans are blowing through the 1.5 degrees of climate change which scientists have been warning about for 35 years. At that moment, the conversation started spiraling downward into a despair that’s familiar to many of us. So I changed gear fast.
“You’re only given so many hours on this planet. By spending every moment of it in terror, you’re not helping anybody. You’re not helping the future by being freaked out 99.9 percent of the time.”
This is what I want to briefly talk about today.
Clearly, we’re living in a time of ruptures. Old systems and old certainties are falling apart. We’re staring down a changing climate, democracies are stumbling worldwide, and AI represents the rise of a new and radically disruptive technology. In the face of all this, it’s hard not to despair. So, how do we answer that simple haunting question that wakes us up at 3 am—
“What can I do? What can any of us do?”
Here is the answer I’ve found. Sometimes it works. I consider it a gift and a blessing from years spent as an astrophysicist and years doing contemplative practice (in the Zen Buddhist tradition).
“What can I do? I do what I can.”
Human history is long, and cosmic history is even longer. The first step for me is a backwards one. Step back and look.
We are all caught in our historical moment’s story. It is not, however, the only story. In fact, with 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone it’s impossible to say how many stories, how many dramas of any kind, are being played our right as you read this. Snow gently falling in a deep valley on a distant planet (even one without life)… that’s a story too.
If that’s too cosmic for you just consider the long run of Earth history. Look out the window. Just 5000 years ago that landscape barely had any humans and their endless drama on it at all. It was mostly just animals and plants living out their stories.
Need to get closer still? Think of the long run of human history. We are not the first human beings to face this kind of change and uncertainty. Imagine living in China’s terrible An Lushan rebellion or being in the fearful path of the Mongol invaders. Uncertainty and fear brought on by our own stupid actions (the endless need for power over others) is endemic to our species.
I think of my grandfather who faced the original Nazi’s in 1938 when he was taken away on Kristallnacht. Two weeks later he returned, scrambling to get his 9-year-old daughter (my mom) out of the country.
My point here is that you don’t know what you are going to face tomorrow. It could be horror of the worst kind. But if that happens - and I pray it doesn’t - then you will know exactly what it feels like.
Right now, though… right now what are you facing? What’s actually in front of you now?
The world is, without doubt, on fire. We all need to respond. That can mean getting involved with local politics, getting involved in activism, or simply giving funds to groups doing work that support what you value. It can also mean just being kind (more on this below). After you have done what you can, then what? This was my point to Andy.
“You’re not helping the future by being freaked out 99.9 percent of the time.”
The most important thing you can do for the world is to remain grounded. You have to be present or you will miss your chances to be kind and offer assistance. This might mean nothing more than noticing a guy nearby holding a bunch of boxes who needs help getting the door opened. It might mean being present enough to give the lady behind the counter a genuine smile and “How you are doing today?”
The world is on fire but, on a certain level, it’s always been on fire. We are all vulnerable. I think true empathy and compassion arise from allowing that vulnerability in.
On the other hand, the world is also gloriously beautiful. That too is your birthright. The night sky. The tree in bloom. Never let anyone take that from you. It’s there, right now, for you to draw inspiration from.
Do what you can and then step back. See what’s real for you right now and enjoy its wonder. Then you will be ready when you are called upon again.
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PS If you have specific questions or issues you want me to address leave a comment on the website or email me at [email protected]
— Adam Frank 🚀
