244. IDC 151- Marvel's "We need Courage... Climate Change (4)

1. Critical Appreciation of the essay.
A:- Kate Marvel's essay, "We Need Courage, Not Hope, to Face Climate Change", is one of the most powerful essay on climate change. It is urgent, vital, and beautiful piece. There are strikingly memorable explanations of the basic, unrelenting physics of our atmosphere; a hammer blow, emotional acknowledgement of the threat to climate change.

Marvel's description of human life "incandescent with the power of a hundred-watt bulb" and "dancing" carbon dioxide, the fear of how "we burn coal and oil and gas, heedless of the consequences", the admission that "the world we once knew is never coming back", that we are "sending our children to live on an unfamiliar planet"- these are the important points that the essay deals with.

Marvel then hits on the means of resolving the dialectical tension between climate optimism and climate pessimism, and in the process identifies a concept that could prove immensely useful to politicians, business leaders, and campaigners alike- that is, climate courage.

It is understandable that when addressing climate change- politicians, CEOs, and campaigners all default to a fuzzy optimism, a sense that we can 'solve' or 'beat' or 'defeat' climate change which singularly fails to acknowledge how these verbs are pretty meaningless in the face of an existential, planetary scale physical phenomenon. There are still good reasons to embrace this narrative, to relentlessly highlight the technologies and infrastructure and business models that could decarbonise the global economy and drive up living standards. But there is a constant risk this climate optimism, being built on the shakiest of foundations, becomes unbalanced. It is unknown if a hope technology will save us - a hope that is inevitable and downplays the epic scale of the risks we face. As Marvel puts it: "I have infinite, gullible faith in the goodness of the individual. But I have none whatsoever in the collective. How else can it be that the sum total of so many tiny acts of kindness is a world incapable of stopping something so eminently stoppable? … Change is already underway; individual worries and sacrifices have not slowed it."

The question then is how to respond when faced with bleak outlook, and it is here Marvel offers a profound break with the stale climate- hope versus despair debate. What we need, she argues, is courage. Her conclusion is worth quoting at length:
"I have no hope that these changes can be reversed. We are inevitably sending our children to live on an unfamiliar planet. But the opposite of hope is not despair. It is grief. Even while resolving to limit the damage, we can mourn. And here, the sheer scale of the problem provides a perverse comfort: we are in this together. The swiftness of the change, its scale and inevitability, binds us into one, broken hearts trapped together under a warming atmosphere. We need courage, not hope. Grief, after all, is the cost of being alive.

 We are all fated to live live through sadness, and are not worth less for it. Courage is the resolve to do well without the assurance of a happy ending. Little molecules, random in their movement, add together to a coherent whole. Little lives do not. But here we are, together on a planet radiating ever more into space where there is no darkness, only light we cannot see.

Again, if climate optimism risks complacency and climate pessimism risks unfruitful inaction, what is the use of climate courage?

This narrative resonates, one that acknowledges the full scale of the challenge and the necessity of facing it with all the nerve.

It also holds an intense psychological appeal. Nobody likes the idea of being hailed for their courage. Nobody wants to be accused of cowardice in the face of a crisis. Here is a term that can galvanise climate action without simultaneously undermining it. A term that hints at the martial metaphor provided by the 'decarbonisation is like a war effort' narrative, but also extends to the small acts of courage we can all embrace in our own lives in the cause of the environment.
Most of all though, climate courage has the benefit of being true. It does not take "courage" to change headphones, but to fundamentally and rapidly transform a business in response to climate change, in the face of fierce opposition and with no guarantee of success. That takes courage.

Marvel's essay reminds us of an exceptional piece of writing on climate change. Being unprepared for any of those will be much worse than being prepared. The future always has better and worse paths ahead. There's always a difference to be made. Has there ever been a better description of the global project to tackle climate change than Marvel's beautiful turn of phrase? By reading Marvel's essay, we can gather what climate courage we can inculcate.

2. Who is Kate Marvel?
A:- Kate Marvel is a prominent climate scientist known for her expertise in climate modeling, Earth's energy budget, and the complexities of the Earth's climate system. With a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Cambridge, Marvel has made significant contributions to understanding the drivers of climate change and its impacts on the planet.
One of Marvel's key research interests lies in climate modeling, where she uses sophisticated computer models to simulate how the Earth's climate will respond to various factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, solar radiation, and aerosols. By refining these models, she aims to improve our understanding of future climate scenarios and inform policymakers on the most effective strategies for mitigating climate change.
Marvel is also renowned for her work on Earth's energy budget, which involves quantifying the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing thermal radiation from the planet. This research is crucial for understanding the fundamental processes driving global warming and helps scientists gauge the effectiveness of different climate interventions.
In addition to her scientific contributions, Marvel is an effective communicator who frequently engages with the public through various platforms. She is active on social media, where she shares insights into climate science and addresses common misconceptions about climate change. Marvel is also a sought-after speaker, delivering presentations at conferences, universities, and public events to raise awareness about the urgency of addressing climate change.
Marvel's advocacy for climate action extends beyond academia, as she often collaborates with policymakers, environmental organizations, and advocacy groups to promote evidence-based policies for addressing climate change. She emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need for collective action to tackle this global challenge.
Furthermore, Marvel is known for her thought-provoking essays and articles on climate change, which have been published in prestigious outlets such as Scientific American, The New York Times, and The Guardian. Through her writing, she effectively communicates complex scientific concepts in a way that resonates with a broad audience, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and public understanding.
As a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Marvel is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the scientific community. She actively supports initiatives aimed at increasing the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in addressing complex scientific challenges.
In summary, Kate Marvel is a leading climate scientist whose research, advocacy, and communication efforts are helping to advance our understanding of climate change and its implications for the planet. Through her work, she inspires action to mitigate climate change and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

IDC 2024
3. What according to Kate Marvel, is necessary to confront climate change effectively? (1)
A:- According to Kate Marvel, courage is necessary to confront climate change effectively.

IDC 2024
4. Does Marvel believe that hope is sufficient to address climate change?(1)
A:- No, Marvel doesn't believe that hope is sufficient to address climate change.

Popular posts from this blog

86. Landscape of the Soul(15)(HS1st Yr)

1. Explain the Chinese and the European views of art. A:- The Chinese paintings are based on the imaginative, inner or spiritual approach whereas the European ones reproduce an actual view of an external or real object. The paintings of Wu Daozi and Metsys illustrate the difference. The Chinese art captures the essence of the inner life whereas the European artist might want you to look at the piece of art through his lens. 2. What is 'outsider art' and 'raw art'? A:- 'Outsider art' refers to those art who have no right to be artists as they have received no formal training yet show talent and artistic insight. 'Art brut' or 'raw art' are the works of art in their raw state as regards cultural and artistic influences. French writer Jean Dubuffet challenged the concept of 'art brut' in the 1940s. Before that, people were disinterested in arts of untutored creative thinkers. 3. Who was the"untutored genius who created a paradise" ...
Read more

15. 201. Vanishing Animals (16)

1. Who is the author of Vanishing Animals? Ans:- Gerald Durell is the author of the essay 'Vanishing Animals'. 2. Write a few words about George Durell.  Ans:- George Durell who was born in 1925 in India's Jamshedpur and died in 1995 was a British naturalist,  writer,  zookeeper,  conservationist and television presenter.  3. What is the essay all about?  Ans:- The essay is about some of the animals that face extinction.  It draws our attention to the fact that we humans are not making sincere efforts to preserve the disappearance of these animals.  4. What animals do the author try to save?  Ans:- The author tries to save animals like Pere David deer,  white tailed Gnus and others.  Pere David was discovered in China by Father David. The Gnus were slaughtered in South Africa for food. 5. Who were saved from extermination?  Ans:- Some vanishing animals which were moved to Europe were saved from extermination. One example is Per...
Read more

224. DSM 201-I:2/ CBCS 601 Romantic Fiction and Non-Fiction (4)

1. Charactersitics of Romantic Fiction-- Romantic fiction is a diverse and expansive literary genre that has evolved over centuries, encompassing a wide range of themes, styles, and narratives. Its characteristics are shaped by the exploration of romantic love, emotional intensity, and the complexities of human relationships. In this discussion, we will delve into the key characteristics of romantic fiction, examining its historical roots, thematic elements, narrative structures, and the ways in which it reflects societal values and norms. 1. Historical Roots of Romantic Fiction:    Romantic fiction traces its roots back to ancient literature, with myths and epics often featuring tales of love and adventure. However, the genre gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of the Romantic movement. Influenced by social, political, and cultural changes, romantic fiction emerged as a response to the Enlightenment's rationalism, emphasizing emotion, imagination, and the...
Read more