Climate and Existential Angst: One Emergency Physician’s Personal Story

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” —The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

It’s been a very challenging [year], if you have any knowledge of the impending (present) climate crisis. News stories of unusually early and abnormally intense wildfires across the north of our country. Scientists pointing out the incredible heat growing in the North Atlantic ocean water. A recent Alberta election where neither party deigned to discuss the hard truths of climate science and its implications for our industry, agriculture, and health. Our premier, unable to make the connection between the grossly abnormal weather and our wildfires, instead blaming arsonist ghosts. And the undeniable sight, smell, and impacts of smoke pervading our streets and homes.

It’s all a bit much. And I confess, I gave in to despair. I recently tweeted out “I am so sad about the world and where it is going. I tried so hard. It was never enough. Please forgive me, children, animals, plants, ecosystems. This is all so tragic.”

The response was immediate. Some concerned: “Are you OK?” Some dismissive: “What a drama queen.” But mostly: “I feel exactly this.”

It’s hard to deny now the impacts that our fossil fuel extractive economy is having on the natural world around us. Hard to deny that the degradation of our natural world is having impacts on our society. And to think of how this will worsen with time in the near and far future.

The emotions we feel are not pathological. It is very normal to feel despair when presented with the reality that we face. It’s like 8 billion people, and most of the animals and plants have just been given a serious, maybe palliative, cancer diagnosis with the only possible cure being giving up on burning fossil fuels. And we’re just not ready to do that yet.

What if part of our inability to deal with the underpinnings of the climate crisis has to do with our refusal to acknowledge the emotions of what we are feeling? In our society, we must pretend that all is well, don’t look at that scary stuff over there, let’s go for brunch. Don’t look up.

I feel grief: for the beautiful and alive ecosystems we are losing.

I feel guilt: the gas-guzzlers I’ve owned before I was more aware; the flights to here, there, and everywhere.

I feel anxiety: for the threat that befalls us over which we as individuals have very little control.

I feel terrified: for the very real prospect of my life, and/or my children’s lives, being curtailed by calamity.

I feel jealous: of those who can ignore what is happening, continuing to live their lives as if nothing is at risk.

I feel angry: because there are people and corporations and politicians behind the myriad of bad decisions that have led to this. And none has faced accountability. And many still are in positions of power.

I feel love: for this planet, for humanity, for life. It is often when the things you care about are threatened that you understand exactly why you value them so much.

I feel community: for the people who do care, who show what we can accomplish when we try to make the world a better place. And caring people are truly the bestest friends a guy could ask for.

Some people have suggested my tweet was a surrender. But let me be clear: I will never give up. My kids, the insects, the oceans, this province deserve that I continue to advocate for a safer future until there is nothing left to fight for.

Things are going to get worse. This is just a preview to the future, which will continue to warm as long as we continue to produce methane, CO2, and other warming gasses into the atmosphere. Every fraction of a degree of warming avoided is worth the efforts we make today. Which is why there is such desperation in the scientists’ voices.

“Is there any hope?” is the question I hear most asked at climate events. My answer: “Nobody knows what the future holds. But unless we do what the science says, there will for sure be bad outcomes. Please help.”

Getting involved creates active hope, for you and for me. ■

Joseph Vipod, M.D., is an emergency doctor in Calgary, the past president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and co-founder of the Calgary Climate Hub.