Struggling to picture the climate apocalypse? Just look around you
Even if you do want to resign yourself to doomerism, no matter what happens, we will all have to deal with it some of us already are, writes Scarlett Westbrook Despite the headlines, the world isnt going to simply switch off W hen you think about the climate crisis, what springs to mind? Barren, deserted wastelands decades in the future? Melted ice caps without any polar bears on them thousands of miles away? Perhaps, like many, you just envision a black screen; a definitive end to the world with absolutely nothing left on it. Decades of alarmist headlines and poorly communicated messaging around climate have created a false dichotomy where we seem to only be able to understand the future as completely okay or destroyed beyond recognition . Climate reporting is hinged on inaccessible statistics around global heating that people who arent scientists dont really understand, neglecting to explain what the actual human impact of those numbers will be. Media output is dominated by incomprehensible statistics without any attempt to show what this actually means in practice. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Despite the headlines, the world isnt going to simply switch off Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Log in New to The Independent? Or if you would prefer: Want an ad-free experience? Hi {{indy.fullName}}