About

From a political to a
personal apology

The climate apology draws on the following disciplines and theories. This is not an exhaustive reading list as specific sources are referenced in the individual blogs.

Climate Science

The climate apology is based on the scientific findings and assumptions of the reports of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). User-friendly summaries of the reports for non-scientists can be found in the FAQ pages and summary formats. Reports — IPCC

The En-ROADS Climate Simulator is a fascinating tool to understand the range of mitigation policies required to keep global warming between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius.

Social systems thinking

As a social worker, I've been educated in and used systems thinking to analyse and understand various social justice issues. It is an important lens to understand the roles and dynamics between individuals and entities in climate mitigation efforts. For climate-specific material, see:

The Donella Meadows Project for a full collection of her work on systems dynamics in climate change.

Dr. Elizabeth Sawin, co-founder of Climate Interactive, developed the concept of Multisolving.  See here for a great introduction to her work

Internal Family Systems (IFS) thinking

Con, our armchair environmentalist, is drawn from the work of Richard C. Schwartz, who applied family systems therapy to understanding our internal world of sub-parts that influence our behaviour and decision making. See:

R.C Schwartz (2021) No Bad Parts. Publisher - Sounds True

For an excellent layperson's view of IFS, see the 2015 Pixar cartoon 'Inside Out'.

Obviously, Con also draws on the common expression for our habit of pontificating about what others should do in the field of sports, politics and now the environment, while we lounge comfortably on our sofa. I grew up in Australia under the influence of 'Norm' from the Life. Be in it campaign.

Apologies

Apologies have long been used as a tool to repair individual and societal damage. There is a wealth of research and material on their role in addressing historical injustices through to individual relationships. For a thorough overview see:

Lazare, Aaron (2004). On Apology. Oxford University Press.

Apologies often play an important role in restorative justice. An important aspect of the climate apology comes this field, namely that of understanding the perpetrator also as a victim, not in order to excuse harmful behaviour but to introduce a perspective of empathy. See:

Zehr, Howard (2014). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books.

Climate psychology

The 6th IPCC report reviewed approximately 90,000 research articles related to the field of environmental psychology – there’s a lot out there!  For an influential, readable summary for non-academics that’s freely available online see:

Kollmus, A. and Agyeman, J. (2002) Mind the Gap:  Why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behaviour? Environmental Education Research 8(3)

A recent work that influenced my thinking around recognising the reality of climate change was:

Verlie, Blanche (2021) Learning to Live with Climate Change: From Anxiety to Transformation. Routledge Press

Stoicism and other thoughts

I grew up in a family influenced by the ideas of Stoicism, a philosophy I find personally helpful and particularly relevant to the climate apology. Its emphasis on focusing on what is within our power to control is mirrored in the world’s religions and central to the today’s mindfulness movement. See Daily Stoic | Stoic Wisdom For Everyday Life for a great overview.

How it started

I’m an Australian living in Switzerland, a social worker experienced in the refugee and humanitarian sectors for the Red Cross movement and Swiss government.

I first floated the idea of an intergenerational apology in July 2021 with my sister, following the rejection in Switzerland of a referendum to introduce climate legislation: “I think we need an equivalent of a truth and reconciliation process whereby our generation+ can own responsibility and apologise for climate change – for not taking the science seriously in the 70s, for continuing to consume and travel and spend. An apology process for the coming generations and possibly a way to engage people in the change we need. #making amends.”

It was when I asked myself what I would say to this Climate Truth and Reconciliation Commission that I realized the extent to which I had outsourced my climate responsibilities for my own loved ones - for decades. And so the apology evolved from a political to a personal apology to my children for not having done enough sooner. 'Sorry' has become an important trigger word for me when I'm waivering between doing the right thing for my loved ones and listening to Lou, my AE.

My heartfelt thanks go to:

Jane Abbott, who has supported me from the beginning as a sounding board and editor.

Anna Rapaud for the English to German translation.

Dianne Lange for the fantastic logo.

Jonathon Hess for endless Website support.

My daughters for their unfailng support.

Contact and collaboration 

Please get in touch if you have any comments, questions or interest in collaborating on the idea. 

Apologies are powerful tools to mend social harm. And "sorry" is a simple word, understood throughout the world, stored in the back of our minds, one that requires no production and no charging.

The climate apology is a simple tool we can use individually, with little fuss, to redirect the course we are on.

In shifting our mindsets to live sustainably, we can find the joy and positivity that seems to elude our obsession with perpetual growth.