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It is not just heat waves—climate change is also a crisis of disconnection
However, climate change isn't just about greenhouse gas emissions. At its core, it is both a symptom and a cause for the centuries-long trend in declining social connection and community cohesion.
A modern atomized life
Consider this: If human history was summarized in 100 minutes, modern life would only take shape in the last 30 or so seconds.
Perhaps of greatest concern, it is apparent that there is a vicious feedback cycle between climate change and poor social cohesion. In fact, there is a growing body of research showing that climate change will not just be worsened by our social disconnectedness, but will itself contribute to greater disconnection. Climate change and our modern social ills are linked.
Moreover, at the population level, these impacts are compounded. Extreme weather effects can increase the rate of interpersonal violence. Declining birth rates lead to considerable economic impact. And mass migration creates cultural challenges such as those driving the re-emergence of extreme-right parties in Europe.
As Indigenous peoples have taught for centuries, its time we recognize that all things are interconnected. If we don't act, climate change will worsen our social bonds, which will only reduce our capacity to respond to the environmental threats that lie ahead. The climate will worsen and the cycle will continue.
However, there is a way out of this vicious feedback loop: we can reverse the centuries-long trend in disconnection by treating social and environmental health on par with physical and mental health.
Of course, if the last few decades are any indication, we must acknowledge that social connection and cohesion is difficult to achieve. If modern life were conducive to healthy social lives, we would not be where we are today.
This is exactly why we need renewed public and philanthropic investments in social cohesion and community life. For example, friendship benches in Zimbabwe provide a leading example for how relying on and strengthening community can help people live happier and healthier lives. We must learn from communities leading the way across the globe if we are to survive and thrive in the midst of environmental change. Indeed, climate change requires us to come together.
Citation:
It is not just heat waves—climate change is also a crisis of disconnection (2023, August 17)
retrieved 17 August 2023
from https://phys.org/news/2023-08-wavesclimate-crisis-disconnection.html
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