Patrick Hadfield asks: Why aren’t people more angry? Despite years of basically unrefuted evidence of climate change – we even studied it at secondary school geography – none of the messages have made a sufficient impact on me to make me angry, mad or just scared about the future of the planet. Instead, poverty, abuse, hopelessness caused by social alienation, systemic failings in our country (drugs, prisons, mental health, educational outcomes for minority groups) all move me in a way that climate change does not – and I’ve limited capacity for worrying about ‘big problems’ (although seemingly unlimited capacity to worry about the minute details of Liverpool Football Club).

Arrogantly, absurdly perhaps, I believe that I could have a bigger influence on these issues (belonging to the Howard League, donating to Shelter, being a school governor)  than I can about climate change. The great mass of social protests, political speeches, media coverage, disaster movies has had some affect on my life. I have a wormery at home. I’ve asked the decorator to put insulation beneath the floorboards (if taking them up doesn’t add significantly to the cost). I do consider whether to drive to Liverpool or catch the train – though the cost of petrol and reliability of the roads is a bigger consideration than the relative impact on the climate.

Occasionally I do swallow paying a little extra for things that will be less harmful for the environment. I will shop at the farmers market, despite the eye-watering prices, and walk past Tesco Metro and Sainsbury’s local on route. I have purchased energy saving lightbulbs for a while (even though, let’s be honest, they aren’t fit for purpose). But even then I don’t know if I’m doing any good: I read today that actually mass food production may be marginally better for the environment.

Having a baby daughter has changed my views in some ways: I was passionate (to the point of obsession) about ensuring her child trust fund was an ethical investment and am adjusting my own financial products accordingly. But the future of the planet is too remote, too big, too unrewarding to make me upset. And that means it’s too easy not to take any action.

So what might make me care about climate change?

• Experiencing dramatic consequences of climate change
• Clear direction of what I need to do to make a difference
• Rewards for doing it
• Social shame if I fail
• Evidence that it’s making a difference

Climate change may be difficult to frame in this way. But if it is impossible, then it may prove to be a challenge too far.

Related posts:

1. The change we need: a review