“I have no future” - the critical need to counter climate doomism

Over the last five years, scholars, scientists, and journalist have increasingly discussed a rise in ‘climate doomism,’ or the belief that it is too late to address climate change and that apocalyptic climate breakdown is inevitable. However, doomism is not supported by science and much can still be done to limit the extent of global warming. Doomism is dangerous because it produces a state of despair that undermines action, is harmful to mental health, and reduces the chances for positive social change. This article examines how doomism might be countered focusing on four main messages: 1) doomism is a misunderstanding of the science, 2) there is still much that can be saved by reducing the extent of warming, 3) support for climate action is widely underestimated, and 4) climate change represents a possible catalyst for a transition to a system that can justly reduce the extent of global warming and improve wellbeing.