WHY THERE'S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

We’ve all seen the headlines. The current global climate crisis can feel overwhelming and at times, unbearable.

But how can we turn our feelings of apathy into hope? How can hope be a force for action, and for positive change?

In a special edition of our sustainability newsletter, we’re bringing together researchers, alumni, and friends of the University of York community to explore what it means to be hopeful about the future of the planet.

HOW A YORK RESEARCHER IS HOPING TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

Dr Pete Gardner is a Sociology researcher whose recent project, ‘Prison for the Planet’, tells the stories of climate activists across the world facing prison for their efforts to save the planet.

In your own words, why did you start working on Prison for the Planet?

“I would argue that by 2050 the climate activists of today will be regarded as heroes. Currently, they are almost unanimously regarded as problems. There isn’t a lot of respect for them across our society.

At the time I started thinking about writing the book, I found myself having quite a few conversations with people from various different areas of my life who said that they dislike climate activists. But through my research, I found these activists to be some of the most caring, hard working, engaged, and passionate people I had ever met.

The clash between what I was observing, the people I was interacting with, and the discourses about them in society was so great. That was really the driving force behind the book. Right now in the public realm, the narrative around climate activists is so out of step with reality, I wanted their story to be told.

"My hope is that in telling the real stories of climate activists involved in the kind of sharp end of environmental advocacy, that it will change people's minds about who they are as people.”

What’s your best explanation for why climate activists are taking action for the planet?

The best way to understand, I think, why they're acting in the way that they are is to look at what climate science has been saying about the nature of the problem that we're currently facing.

We often think about the climate crisis as something which will affect future generations. But its happening now. By 2050 we're going to have a massive increase in the number of extremely hot days, which will put older peoples’ lives at risk. And it’s not just extreme temperatures, but also the problem of crop failures and starvation across the world.

The nature and extent of what we're currently facing, in terms of the climate crisis, is massive, brutal and hard to fathom. And yet, two activists throwing soup over a pane of glass covering a painting continues to cause more public controversy than the deaths of millions of people.

Did the activists you speak to believe there was hope for the future?

I'd say many climate activists begin with a kind of naive hope that probably needs to be lost to be effective. But at the same time, you know, all of the activists I have spoken to have a sense of hope, because otherwise they wouldn't bother doing what they're doing.

You wouldn’t go to prison for your politics if you think that there is no hope for the planet and nothing can be done. What gives climate activists hope is the fact that there is still time and that every point one of a degree matters in terms of global warming.

Taking action and getting involved in a movement is a very productive way to form not the kind of hope that's whistling in the wind, but a kind of collective hope.

Do you personally believe that there is hope for the future? Has that changed since writing this book?

On a personal day to day basis, I'm much more focused on acting like there is something we can do. Through the way that climate activists are responding, that's what they're doing.

They're kind of leaving the answer to that question to the future and to science, and trying to act now in a way that we can try to produce the world that we want to live in. There's a quote which goes something like: “What if climate science is all wrong and we end up making a better world by accident?”

"To turn the question on its head I would ask: if there is no hope for the future, until then, what kind of world do we want to live in?"

Dr Pete Gardner will be speaking at our upcoming panel discussion on 'Hope for the Future' online on Thursday 6 March at 7pm. If you'd like to ask him a question, be sure to book your ticket!

A protestor is holding a sign reading 'fight today for a better tomorrow'

A crowd of people are holding up a ball in the shape of Earth

"What breaks your heart, and what vision of the future mends it?"

- Mikaela Loach, 2023

Derwent college, surrounded by various willow trees, the lake, and bushes in bloom.

TOP TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER YOUR WELLBEING IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE. FIND WHAT INSPIRES YOU For every anxiety-inducing headline, there are stories of people across the world working for a better future. Try tweaking your newsfeed for more positive stories about the planet - check out ‘Positive News’ and ‘Happy Eco News’. GET OUTSIDE Being out in nature is scientifically proven to improve your wellbeing. When it all feels a bit overwhelming, going on a walk, watching birds and getting out into nature is a great way to find beauty in the present moment. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO When it comes to climate change, it’s easy to feel powerless. But it’s important to remember that big changes only happen when lots of people come together. Focus on the steps, however small, you can take to make the world better. TALK TO LOVED ONES about how you’re feeling Whether it’s friends, family, or fellow members of a climate organising community - sharing your feelings with others can help take some of the weight off your chest. JOIN A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE FOR THE PLANET Join a local volunteering group, a Green Impact team, climate cafe or even our York for Life group. Connecting with other people making a difference can help turn any feelings of apathy into action.

JOIN OUR ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSION EXPLORING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

We've assembled a panel of exciting experts from the University community working towards a better future across green technology, climate justice and ecology.

The panel will be chaired by Kathryn Arnold, who recently represented the University at COP29, and feature a range of experts such as Human Rights Defender Marilou Garcia and Prison for the Planet author Pete Gardner!

Be sure to join us online on Thursday 6 March, 7pm to 8pm and take a deep dive into the silver linings that give us hope!

Book now

Finding a career that creates a better future

Interested in working in sustainability, but not sure how to go about finding a career in it? Here’s two alumni who share how they used their degree to make a difference.

Restoring England’s Rivers with the Environment Agency

Since studying at York alum Tom Pagett has worked on the largest river restoration project in the North. He shares how he got started...

“I have always been interested in ecology & wildlife since a very young age. I did my undergrad at York, which was great. After I graduated, I thought it’d be really easy to get a job - there was a realisation that life isn’t quite that simple.

I worked a few temporary part time jobs in insurance. Then a friend of mine actually told me about an opportunity at the Environment Agency, which was just a temporary admin role. I applied for and was successful in getting that, it became permanent and I managed to work my way up."

“What I would say to students coming out of academia is just that there’s a need to be flexible, there are very few roles that allow you to go straight into the job you want.

If you’re looking at big organisations, then take the opportunity to get in where you can get yourself known. That’s a good way of sort of building your reputation and getting more opportunities there."

Informing the public as a Climate Communications Consultant

Cass Hebron graduated from York in 2019 with a degree in language and linguistics. Now she’s a freelance climate communications consultant. Here's how she did it:

"I have been doing this full time freelancing for about two years, and before that I was working for an NGO, first for Oxfam EU. It was really helpful to have that prior work experience but I know that’s also really unhelpful, because if you don’t have those connections where do you start?

So the other thing I did was go to loads of events that are relevant to my interest because my niche is climate justice and corporate accountability. I went to events around those topics and just talked to everyone and told them what I’m doing."

"LinkedIn is a really good place, and there are particular people that round up consultancy opportunities and job opportunities in the sector. But the main way that I get work is through a newsletter I run about making climate action accessible to everyone.

When people see that, they see that I can write and that I can edit so that I know what I’m talking about, and then they’re interested in hiring me for their organisation.“

Both Tom and Cass shared their advice on the 'What Do You Actually Do' podcast ran by our careers team at York.

You can listen to Tom’s episode here and Cass’ episode here.

Cass has also shared some resources for finding a job that’ll help the planet on her blog, the Green Fix - Check it out.

Love letters from a peaceful campus

Our campus remains a beautiful haven for nature to thrive and grow. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or looking for a moment of calm; check out these recent snaps of campus taken by alumni, staff and friends.

join a community creating hope on york for life

Want to receive regular reminders of hope, top tips for acting sustainably, job opportunities in the sector and connect with other alumni working towards a better future?

Join our Sustainability Network on York for Life! York for Life is our brand-new home for everything alumni-related, where you can connect with other alumni interested in sustainability and access exclusive content.

Join us on York for Life

Thanks for reading!

Got any questions, or want to help shape our Sustainability Network? Email us at alumni@york.ac.uk or post a message on our York for Life group.