Conal Judge — Climate Activist, 25, London

The world we are creating, born of our destruction and greed, is not a reality I can accept.

For a moment, let us be selfish - why do we care?

I care, because I want to continue to live well. I want abundant clean water, fresh air, healthy and delicious food. I want quality wine, beautiful clothes, the freedom to travel and explore. These things aren’t separate from the natural world, they depend on it.

There’s a common misconception that we must give up freedom to live ethically. Sacrifice our lifestyles to make a change. To a degree this is true, but I challenge you to think instead about what we will lose if we continue down this path - once the last wild animals disappear, when the last lake is polluted, the last tree cut down. That is the real loss of freedom.

I have seen all manor of ecosystems and societies all over the globe, and all are starting to descend into climate chaos. In India the streets are littered with poverty, Indonesia, Bali and Philipines are slowly being choked by an endless barage of plastic waste, Australia & USA engulfed in flames each summer. 

 I am made even more angry and more determined everyday by the lack of action and attention this crisis is receiving. From all stakeholders there seems to be a lack of critical thinking and action. Corruption, greed, the devastation of the natural world, a lack of empathy have all led us here. 

This crisis of lovelessness and apathy will only feed into more inequality and harder times born by all, especially those that deserve it the least.  

Climate change is humanity’s greatest battle, exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and leadership. As a conscious species, we have the power to reshape our world, yet we are on a path to sacrifice our rights and freedoms for the basic and immediate pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain. 

Abandoning nature for a cyberpunk, industrialised, and hyper-monopolised version of Earth would be disastrous, with failing food chains, deforestation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, energy deficiencies, overpopulation, and increasing illness, toxic air and poisonous water increase exponentially. 

Developed countries are primarily responsible, but it’s the least developed that increasingly suffer from climate change.

 Whilst this small, independently run blog is not going to save the climate, I hope that the academic articles I have written educate, inspire and encourage you to engage in this modern call to arms against ourselves.  

We could all work our entire lives and still not live to see half of what is required to make humanity and society truly sustainable, however do not ever let that discourage you. Humanity's greatest triumphs were never successfully implemented in a single life time. It's a movement. 

Every decision counts. Every day counts. Every action & every word counts. So use it all well. 

Educate yourself, accept that life is going to become more and more challenging the longer you delay your role. Rise to the occasion.