Is Our Language on Climate Change More Pollutive Than The Carbon Itself?

There’s a peculiar kind of pollution we rarely discuss. It’s not the blackened plumes of smoke billowing from industrial chimneys or the insidious methane wafting from landfills. No, this pollution is more Machiavellian, more pervasive, and often entirely unrecognised. It is the pollution of discourse, the noxious clouds of virtuous rhetoric that obscure the real, tangible steps we need to take to coexist sustainably on this spinning blue marble.

When it comes to saving the planet, I'm with George Carlin and Neil DeGrasse Tyson here: the planet doesn't need saving. Earth has spun through space for billions of years, surviving asteroid impacts, super volcanoes, and ice ages. It will continue to spin long after we’ve vanished, likely covered in some new form of vegetation or crawling with creatures we can’t even imagine. The real challenge is not about saving the planet; it's about saving ourselves and the myriad forms of life we share this space with. This requires a shift from our grandstanding, self-righteous proclamations to genuine, humble, measured action.

Take a walk through any climate summit, and you’ll be greeted with an overwhelming air of piety from a good number of people. They are armed with righteous slogans and bulletproof statistics, ready to wage war against carbon emissions. The problem isn’t the data or the intention. It’s the sanctimony that comes with it—the implicit belief that holding these views makes them morally superior. This isn’t just tiresome; it’s counterproductive. It turns the debate into a battleground where the focus shifts from effective solutions to moral peacocking.

Historically, we’ve seen this before. Remember the time when the geocentric model was the cornerstone of astronomy? Back then, questioning the idea that Earth was the centre of the universe wasn’t just controversial; it was heretical. It took the bravery of a few heretics, equipped not with divine revelation but with telescopes and logic, to shift the paradigm. They didn’t merely adjust the model; they transformed our understanding of our place in the cosmos. And this perspective might shift once more. That’s the true wonder and gift that science brings us—an ever-evolving narrative that continually reshapes our comprehension of the universe and our role within it.

In the same vein, we need to challenge the current climate orthodoxy—not to undermine it, but to refine it. The most virtuous ideas, left unchallenged, can stagnate and become dogma. This is not about dismissing the reality of climate change or the need for action. It’s about recognising that our virtuous rhetoric must be tempered with humility and a willingness to adapt, engage, compromise and balance.

Consider the language we use. We talk about “saving the planet” as if it’s a maiden in distress, waiting for a knight in shining armour. This kind of narrative is not only patronising but misleading. The planet, in its indifferent majesty, does not have a conscious thought on whether it’s bathed in sunlight or shrouded in smog. It’s the living organisms, us included, that face the consequences of our actions. Therefore, the goal should not be to save the planet, but to sustain the best conditions for life on it.

If we're really being honest, it's a touch ironic, isn’t it? We prattle on about saving the planet while simultaneously bombing each other, selling each other, and attacking each other over differing deities, skin tones, genders, or even the postcode we hail from. We argue with neighbours over the colour of their front door! If we struggle to find harmony in our daily interactions, what on earth makes us think we can unify to address something as colossal as the climate crisis? It's akin to believing we can compose a symphony when we can’t even play a simple tune together. Point being: we all need to be a little more humble.

Humility in our discourse means acknowledging the complexity of the ecosystems we aim to protect. It means understanding that our solutions, no matter how well-intentioned, will always have trade-offs. It’s about passing on the best of our cultures, our practices, and our innovations to future generations, not as dogma but as a foundation for further progress.

Take renewable energy, for example. The fervour around wind and solar power is well-placed, yet it often glosses over the ecological and social costs. Wind turbines are heralded as the harbingers of a new, clean era, but they also disrupt local wildlife and are built from materials that require intensive mining. Solar panels, too, have a lifecycle that ends in waste, and their production is not without environmental impact. These are not arguments against these technologies, but a reminder that every solution must be critically and objectively assessed, not sanctified.

This brings us to the crux of the issue: the need for humility and respect in our approach. Humility to recognise that our current technologies and policies are not perfect and may never be. Respect for the natural world that doesn’t revolve around us, yet sustains us. We need to foster a culture that values continuous improvement over virtue signalling, that encourages questioning over blind acceptance.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a free pass for hydrocarbon producers. They must improve how they manage and contribute to extractions. Established countries and producers have to lead in collaborating with emerging regions, ensuring these regions benefit from their natural resources and the economic gains global demand brings, executed whilst making extraction as clean and environmentally friendly as possible.

We are 8 billion strong on the spinning rock at the moment, and in 25 years, we'll be 10 billion. Balancing life now and in the future requires careful, unbiased attention. The task is enormous, but so is the responsibility. We can’t continue as we have; the stakes are too high.

Imagine a world where natural resources are shared equitably and responsibly. Established powers have a duty—not just to themselves, but to humanity—to mentor and assist emerging economies. It’s not enough to tap into resources and leave a trail of devastation.

Hydrocarbon giants and developed nations must continue to promote sustainable practices, cleaner technologies, and stringent environmental protections. It's about stewardship, ensuring economic benefits without ecological ruin.

We need genuine, impactful measures. The task is colossal, but so is the potential for positive change. By working together, sharing knowledge and technology, and fostering sustainable practices, we can ensure natural resources benefit all, not just a few.

It’s a balancing act, requiring the utmost care and respect. As mentioned previously, it's not about saving the planet—it’s about saving ourselves from our worst impulses and ensuring a viable future for generations to come.

Our predecessors had their flaws, but they also had a remarkable ability to adapt and learn. From the Enlightenment thinkers who questioned the very fabric of knowledge to the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution who reshaped society’s capabilities, the best progress was usually made through humility and a relentless pursuit of better understanding. We must embody this spirit today.

Furthermore, we must be mindful of the cultural legacy we pass on. This isn't just about renewable energy or carbon footprints; it’s about fostering an attitude of stewardship. I firmly believe that our role is not to dominate nature but to integrate with it, to find ways of living that enhance rather than deplete. This means embracing both ancient wisdom and modern innovation, understanding that our technological advancements should complement the natural world, not conquer it.

Therefore, IMHO, the pollution of our language on climate change may very well be as damaging as the carbon emissions we decry. Virtuous rhetoric, when left unexamined, becomes a barrier to real progress. Wouldn't it be marvellous if, while governments are busy sorting out carbon capture storage, they also constructed an underground vault for all the utter cack, pious drivel, virtuous guff, and populist pontifications? Imagine burying this rubbish as deep as possible, beneath layers of bedrock, never to resurface. And if, by some twist of fate, these very words were to end up in that subterranean bin, I can only hope they're not joined by anything remotely useful. Ah, the sweet irony of it all!

I'll finish by saying it once more - we don’t need to save the planet; we need to save our capacity for humility, adaptability, and respect. We need to sustain the best conditions for all life forms currently sharing this world and ensure that we pass on cultures and habits that are worth inheriting. For the sake of the planet—and more importantly, for the sake of ourselves—it’s time to speak and act with the humility and respect that true stewardship requires.

#energy #sustainability #renewables #hydrocarbons