Challenge your own opinion and embrace change

To this new world: Challenge your own opinion and embrace change

As most of our society has realized that climate change is one of the biggest challenges to humankind, the question arises: How did we get here? Why didn't we act sooner? Scientists have voiced their concerns for decades and had we reacted to this threat 50 years ago, we would be a lot better off now.?

And even now that the debate on climate change on Social Media is growing stronger by the hour, real action still seems far away. Most of us would agree that something needs to be done urgently if we want to minimize the damage mankind has caused to our planet. But instead of acting, we argue. As a public figure with a "voice" on Social Media, I have witnessed many times, what I believe to be the biggest hurdle for our society to overcome this global challenge and move forward towards a more sustainable future: We don't challenge our own opinions enough. We have forgotten how to lead a constructive debate, and instead are attacking each other, blindly sticking to our made-up opinion and not listening open-minded to other ideas and views. If we want to find common ground on solving climate change, we first need to learn to listen and challenge our current opinion. That's why I follow people on Social Media that have different views, and why I advise everyone to do the same. Not leaving one's own bubble can be very limiting and even dangerous.?

Why did nobody listen to the scientists who said that climate change would be an issue 50 years ago? Because it didn't represent a common opinion back then. The same goes for inequality, women's rights and many other false "common opinions" we are just starting to overcome.?

There is a second part to this dilemma: Humans don't like change. Even if, in theory, we know that something needs to change, it is taking us too long to take action. I am no exception to this truth. I know that meat consumption is one of the biggest drivers of emissions and that I should ideally cut meat products out of my diet completely, and still, I sometimes indulge in a burger or steak. Hopefully, this will be replaced by a plant-based or lab-grown meat alternative soon - which brings me to my final positive thought:?

If we keep challenging our opinions, listening respectfully to each other, and finding common ground on how a more sustainable world should look like, and if we are willing to drive and embrace change, new technologies can help us get there. Renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, emission-free mobility - I think most of us can agree on all of this. The challenge is to welcome the necessary change, even if some industries will be left behind. We need to invest heavily in new technologies, our politicians have to lead the way towards a more climate-friendly society and our businesses need to challenge their current actions and transform to a more sustainable business strategy, even if it means a decline in sales or leaving a currently attractive market.

I look forward to this new world - a sustainable lifestyle, constructive dialogues and constantly challenging our own opinions.

This letter is part of the #FTLetters campaign by Financial Times. If you want to share your own thoughts on what a new world should look like, feel free to publish your own statement using #FTletters.