Identifying and countering climate delay arguments

What is it about?

Detrimental effects of the rapidly changing global climate are being increasingly recognised. But, there exists a school of thought that argues against the impact of human activities on the environment and disregards the need for climate change mitigation. While ‘climate denialism’ and ‘climate-impact scepticism’ imply ignorance regarding climate change, ‘climate delay discourses’ accept its existence but overlook the need for interventions. A new study presents the underlying logic behind such behaviours, from redirecting responsibilities, proposing non-transformative solutions, emphasising the downsides, to surrendering to climate change. The redirection of responsibility results from a reluctance to accept that individual efforts can make a difference. Additionally, a ‘free rider’ approach or relying on the efforts of others and claiming that they have a larger share in the carbon footprint than one’s own is also responsible. Non-transformative solutions often include impractical propositions such as using fossil fuels to mitigate their own ill effects. Another approach is to highlight the socio-economic disadvantages of climate change policies, focusing on the immediate downsides rather than the long-term benefits. Lastly, a straight-up surrender to the impacts of climate change and accept ‘doomism’, a belief that change is impossible, also pervades climate delay discourses.

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Photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash

Photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The first step towards addressing climate change is accepting the causal role of human activities. While proponents of climate delay discourses accept this causal role, they often deny the effects and downplay the need for interventions. This article highlights the features of climate delay discourses and ways to identify them. This can help prevent a misrepresentation of the climate crisis and encourage public and political support towards climate change policies. KEY TAKEAWAY Identifying climate delay discourses can help climate scientists and policymakers counter the arguments in a logical manner, explain the gravity of the crisis, and defend the need for urgent mitigation measures.