How should we react to climate change, with Pessimism or Optimism? We don’t want to combat it. If we did it would be obvious.
We are not capable of altering our behaviour. We are captivated by the new, the interesting, the existential experience so to speak. We are explorers, innovators, creators, and when we are doing those things is when we as a species advances and shines. As individuals when we feel most alive. We cannot change.
The only way to deal with it is to create a cost effective way to reverse the damage we have done, are doing, and will do. Scrub carbon from the oceans and atmosphere. Remove toxins. Remove food sources that are compromised, or mitigate the problems. Basically we have to win the race, but we are not capable of stopping or reversing course.
Economically at some point it will make sense to put vast resources into the problem. But not now because the problems aren’t costing money. When they do then the calculation is that at some point solving the problem will save money. Or make money, if u will.... that is when things will start to happen. Not before.
The social protest is but a mere contradiction - we indulge and waste what we have and at the same time demand change to our own behaviour. Because we are not capable of effecting change, nor do we desire it.