Interview on why people struggle to stay motivated in the fight against climate change

It’s clear that people are bothered by climate change but also frozen when determining what to do about it. A myriad of factors can lead to this. 

For starters, taking action against climate change often means making specific lifestyle changes. “There is the issue of personal gain versus collective gain,” says Eleni Polychroniadou, a climate activist and founder of Climate Four, a platform to help individuals take meaningful climate action. “Solving climate change requires personal sacrifice, yet the outcomes are felt on a collective level. That doesn’t sit well with human beings because we are designed to take care of ourselves and our personal survival over the global good.” 

Then there is the fact that humans cannot often maintain outrage. Polychroniadou points to the COVID-19 pandemic as a clear example. While people felt incredible fear and followed strict precautions at the beginning, over time, many individuals became more numb to the constant danger and deaths, while also lowering their guard.

It shines a light on the difference between approaches to short and long-term adaptation and solutions. “We like that instant gratification, tangible results and clear wins, most of which are quite difficult to find in the sustainability realm,” explains Polychroniadou. Doing things like recycling or biking to work fail to show immediate progress. 

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