A study on discourses of climate delay identified common arguments used to delay climate change action. Unlike outright climate change denial, these “discourses of delay” acknowledge climate change but offer reasons to avoid or postpone climate action.
The researchers grouped the discourses of climate delay into four:
- Redirect responsibility
- Climate action is someone else’s job (other countries, industries, or individuals)
- Your emissions are insignificant compared to others
- Push non-transformative solutions
- Overemphasize future technological fixes (like zero-carbon planes, fusion power, direct air capture of greenhouse gases, solar radiation management)
- Promote only voluntary or “easy” actions while avoiding more impactful policies
- Emphasize downsides
- Exaggerate potential negative impacts of climate policies on jobs and the economy
- Claim that climate action threatens the status quo—people’s way of life.
- Surrender
- Argue that it’s impossible to change fast enough
- Claim that it’s already too late to prevent climate change catastrophes
The researchers argue that these discourses of delay can be compelling because they often contain partial truths or play on legitimate concerns. However, they tend to misrepresent issues, create adversity, or portray climate action as impossible.
I admit I have fallen into one or a combination of these discourses about climate delay. However, awareness of these common arguments can help us recognize them when they appear in public discourse and lead us to push for more proactive climate action conversations.
jessa 