It's a beautiful fall day, the leaves are glowing yellow, the air is a pleasant 15 degrees, the birds are chirping and it smells of damp, fresh leaves. As I do every morning, I cycle to public transport, drive under a main road and feel sorry for the people who are stuck in traffic jams in their cars and can't find a parking space as a result. For me, a climate-friendly lifestyle is not a sacrifice of comfort, not mortification, not a sacrifice of freedom, it is the key to a conscious, life-affirming and contented life.
UN climate conferences are held every year, the 27th of which will take place in November 2022, and hopes are always high. There are almost daily reports of extreme weather events linked to the climate crisis, with China experiencing a heatwave of historic proportions in the summer of 2022. On November 28, 2019, the EU became the first continent in the world to declare a climate emergency, and in August 2022, the US Congress passed a climate package worth billions. These are great successes that we can be proud of! At the same time, we must continue to take advantage of this upswing, Werner Lampert once correctly criticized: "We may talk differently than the climate deniers, but we act the same." (-WernerLampert on the extinction of mankind through agriculture-)
Why is that? Although we know what is imminent, we fly off on vacation, "treat" ourselves to a steak in a restaurant, wear unethically produced clothing and carry on as before.
Why isn't more happening?
One thing that is still holding us back is the dissenting voices. "Climate change has always existed." - "This is pure climate hysteria" - "We won't sacrifice our economy to climate protection if we only have such a small share of global emissions".
I would like to make one thing clear at this point, there is no doubt, no, there is NO DOUBT: climate change is man-made. All the climate experts' predictions have come true, and earlier than expected. Yes, and even the USA has known this for decades. Martin Hoffert from the oil company Exxon, the eighth largest company in the world, confessed to the US Congress in October 2019: "What Exxon did was wrong. Exxon has been sowing doubt about climate change for 40 years. The consequences of that misinformation has delayed action internally and externally. One result, in my opinion, will be destroyed livelihoods and loss of life."
Anyone who still has doubts need only look around, as the effects are already obvious. Austria has warmed by 2.3 degrees compared to pre-industrial times, climate expert Prof. Helga Kromp-Kolb explains in an interview: "In Vorarlberg, not exactly a state with little rainfall, we had the problem that there was not enough food for the animals. [...] At Lake Constance, the water level dropped to such an extent that the footbridges no longer reached the water."
Science has been communicating the extent of climate change for 50 years, yet myths persist and we are all too happy to buy into them, justifying that we don't need to change our lifestyles. Read the 7 biggest myths now.
Another thing that slows us down is "the others". Studies show that we leave the room much more quickly when we smell smoke if others also become restless. If they remain calm, we simply push the danger away. "Not everyone is a pioneer, many only act when others do too," explains climate expert Sybille Chiari(Climate protection - What are the big levers in everyday life?).
But how do we grab the others? How do we get them to act?
- Having the right discussion
Many people are on the verge of "clicking", they just need the right impetus. Moving these people is easier than climate deniers, and we should start with the former. Dr. Sybille Chiari works intensively on the right communication and has summarized the most important tools.(Share it - climate communication that works) - Be a role model
Do you have the right to demonstrate for climate protection on Friday if you're going on vacation shortly afterwards? The answer is yes! Because if we waited until we were all perfect, humanity would already be lost. Nevertheless, it is important to be as consistent and credible as possible. Humans are social beings and all our actions are noticed and affect others. - Turning the advantages inside out
Very often, a climate-friendly life is equated with a loss of prosperity. Show that this is not the case. Talk about your positive experiences. For example, I bought a bike on a second-hand platform and discovered that there was a retired man behind it who was passionate about repairing bikes. Without further ado, I gave him my old Puch bike, which I would otherwise have thrown away. He was delighted and in exchange he gave me an old go-kart, which my son received with beaming eyes.
This is the life I want, the life that makes me happy and content, a life that fulfills me.
Believe me, a sustainable life is an opportunity. Sustainability in practice means cohesion in society and an all-round positive attitude towards life. Try it out, it will captivate you too.
Author: Dr. Isabell Riedl
Dr. Isabell Riedl has been with LAMPERT since 2012 and is head of the sustainability and communications department. She studied ecology with a focus on nature and landscape conservation and tropical ecology at the University of Vienna. She wrote her dissertation on the importance of tree rows in agricultural areas for forest birds in Costa Rica. Throughout her life, she has been particularly committed to ecological sustainability. She is part of the editorial team of the online magazine "Nachhaltigkeit. Rethink."
