The Earths climate is changing more rapidly than at any other time in human history, unleashing a cascade of challenges, from rising seas to prolonged droughts to more severe storms. This has bred widespread climate anxiety and among some, a sense of powerlessness.
But how dire is the climate crisis, and are there worthy reasons for hope?
To answer these questions, Anastasia Isyuk, from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) communications team, sat down with two climate experts: Katharine Hayhoe, one of the worlds best-known climate researchers, and Andrea Hinwood, UNEPs Chief Scientist.
Anastasia Isyuk:
Katharine, you recently said that the current rate of warming is entirely unprecedented. Do you think the world is finally listening?
Katharine Hayhoe:
When we look at the science, we dont see much good news. The climate is changing faster than at any time in human history, and we know that humans are the cause. Our emissions of heat-trapping gases are driving this change.
But when we look around the world at the advance of clean energy, at levels of concern about climate change, and at growing awareness that human well-being depends on the health of nature its clear that progress is happening.
The problem is that it isnt happening fast enough.
That distinction matters, because speeding up action is much easier than starting to move or reversing direction entirely. Despite many headlines suggesting otherwise, most climate action is moving in the right direction. We just need to accelerate it.
Andrea Hinwood:
I completely agree we are seeing remarkable changes. Examples include rapid uptake in electrification, particularly in transport, or climate resilient construction and sustainable cooling, investment in nature-based solutions, and many other areas.
There are also countless examples around the world of people and communities doing meaningful work. Sometimes we fail to celebrate these achievements.
Hayhoe:
I often think of climate action as trying to climb Mount Everest with the entire world's population, while rising waters lap at our feet.
You trudge up and up, and it feels like the summit never gets closer. But now and then, you have to stop, turn around, look back -- and are surprised to realize just how far youve already come.
Isyuk:
Andrea, are there areas where you see potential to scale climate action?
Hinwood:
One area where we have reason for optimism is short-lived climate pollutants, especially methane. The modelling around methane suggests that if we act quickly, we have a real opportunity to slow warming and create space for deeper transformations because we still need to act on these quickly.
Isyuk:
And in an increasingly divided geopolitical landscape, how do you see international cooperation advancing?
Hinwood:
Geopolitically, things have changed rapidly, but what strikes me is that countries are still showing up to discuss environmental issues. Sometimes agreements are difficult. Sometimes we dont get there, but sometimes we do including recent progress on biodiversity negotiations.
Hayhoe:
The United Nations climate process requires consensus, which is extraordinarily difficult to achieve. If you think about it, the Paris Agreement was a miracle every country in the world had to agree!
But now we need more. We need to phase out fossil fuels, and there has not been a consensus on that in recent climate negotiations.
Thats why its encouraging to see coalitions of countries willingly pushing for more ambitious action, such as at the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil fuels held in April of this year. Because ultimately, this isnt about saving the planet. The planet will survive. This is about protecting our societies, our homes and our lives.
Isyuk:
Weve spent years talking about catastrophic scenarios crossing 1.5C, overshoot risks, and climate breakdown. But many young people today feel anxious and powerless. How do we fight despair while also avoiding complacency?
Hayhoe:
For years we operated under a false assumption: that people were not worried enough and needed to be frightened into caring.
At the same time, we moved into a media ecosystem driven by clicks and shares. And human beings are evolutionarily wired to pay more attention to bad news than to good. That means doom-and-gloom headlines spread fast.
But behavioural science research now shows something important: while negative headlines are highly shareable, they are actually terrible at motivating action. They can leave people feeling paralysed and helpless. We saw this in Canada after our devastating wildfire seasons. People watched smoke cover the country and thought, what am I supposed to do about this? So, they checked out.
Dont get me wrong: we should never sugarcoat reality. But if bad news is all we share, we will never catalyse action at scale. We must discuss both risks and solutions, especially those that are already working.
For example, weve already lowered projected warming significantly compared to previous scenarios. That happened because of the action taken to date. And if weve already reduced projected warming over this century by more than a degree, why cant we do more?
Isyuk:
And what are some of the most persistent misconceptions you encounter?
Hinwood:
A very common one is: The climate has always changed. And technically, that statement is true. The problem is that it leaves out the most important part of the story: the speed of change.
When we look at science, what once took thousands of years is now happening over decades. That acceleration matters enormously. A lot of misinformation works this way by using a grain of truth without telling the full story.
Hayhoe:
Exactly. Climate has always changed natural cycles, volcanoes and variations in solar radiation all influence climate. But according to those natural factors, we should actually be cooling right now. Instead, we are warming, faster and faster.
Another common misconception is: We cant fix this. Increasingly, even some climate advocates are falling into that trap. But the science says solutions exist and that every fraction of a degree matters. The Paris Agreement has already significantly reduced projected warming. Thats success, even if we still have a long way to go.
Isyuk:
If there is one message you would want people, especially younger readers, to take away, what would it be?
Hinwood:
My message is simple: do one thing.
We are a planet of billions of people. If every person did one thing, the impact would be enormous. Dont think its all too hard. Find one thing you can do and be proud of yourself for doing it.
Hayhoe:
Large-scale social change has happened before: and every time it has, it is because people have spoken up. Research shows that if only around 25 percent of people adopt a new behaviour, this is enough] to shift social norms [for the entire population]. And while we trust scientists, the most trusted voices are still the people we know personally.
So yes: do one thing - and then talk about it! The most important force we have to build a better future is our voice. and then talk about it! The most important force we have to build a better future is our voice.
Andrea Hinwood is the outgoing Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science at UNEP, a role she has held since 2021. An environmental scientist with a PhD in environmental epidemiology from Monash University, her expertise spans environmental exposures and their impacts on human health. She has served on the UN Secretary-General's Science Advisory Board and on advisory panels covering environmental health, air pollution, methane and modelling. This conversation marks one of her final engagements in the role.
Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist who serves as Chief Scientist for the Nature Conservancy. She is also a Horn Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Public Law at Texas Tech University. Her research focuses on high-resolution climate projections and their impacts on human society and the natural environment. Recognized among the TIME100 most influential people and a United Nations Champion of the Earth, she is known for making complex science accessible and connecting climate to people's values in ways that inspire action.
About World Environment Day
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on 5 June, is one of the planet's largest platforms for environmental outreach and is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This year's edition, hosted by Azerbaijan, will focus on solutions to the climate crisis. See how you can get involved.
