Dark optimism for the Earth

11 Jun, 2026

Crises are on my mind: climate crisis, environmental crisis, biodiversity crisis, and crisis of love.

I feel grief when I think about the way Mother Earth is being destroyed, how species are going extinct, and the gloomy future humankind is setting itself up for.

I don't want to be part of a system that is undermining the very foundation upon which we live, but it's hard not to. I'm also embedded in these structures; we all are.

I have lost faith, faith in our collective ability to agree on a new path forward. In my experience, we're unable to solve local problems, like protecting our freshwater reservoirs, so how could we overcome global problems?

There is a lot of focus on shifting consumption toward greener alternatives. I think that's good, but we must not forget that the way we consume is the root problem. We should work toward solutions that make consumption superfluous or minimize it.¹

I think this last point is worth emphasizing. There's a hidden danger that adoption of new technologies, like renewables, will only complement existing technology and fuel even more consumption.²

I will confess that I'm no saint myself. I fly to exotic destinations, own a car, and have a smartphone. But I aspire to tread lightly on Mother Earth, and I take baby steps in that direction.

Amid grief and lost faith, I also have hope, maybe a dark hope. I know that Mother Earth is capable of receiving and transforming the terrible things we throw at her; she's infinitely patient. I have also reluctantly accepted that maybe human civilization will not survive, but I still hope that we will be able to adapt to the changing circumstances we caused.

I admire and support all the groups and individuals who speak up and show us a different way of living. They are our day's heroes, lighting the path so it's easier for the rest of us to walk.

#crisis