The current state of the world is anything but pretty.
Climate change threatens our very existence.
A pandemic is raging through humankind, stopping to give those with already poor quality of life even more reason to fear.
On top of that, worldwide, there is political turmoil as the world attempts to pick up the pieces and move forward.
Things remain uncertain everywhere as the reality of a new world comes flying in.
Redditor wehosh asked:
"How do you stop stressing about the state of the world?"
Here were some of those answers.
The Doomscrolling Patrol
"Lately I've been going through my social media, including Reddit and paring way down on what I'm following. I don't need or want to get rid of it entirely, but curating my feeds has been really good for me."
"Even just to cut down on the cacophony of information being thrown at me that I could never keep up with is nice, let alone getting rid of things that are upsetting or don't serve me in some way."
"Being just connected enough to not be ignorant, without being on the front lines of whatever new perceived crisis is happening in some obscure corner of the internet is nice. Highly recommend it."-caffieneandsarcasm
It Really Is All About Tech
"Remove r/all, delete the Twitter app. Turn off notifications from any news source."
"Go to the outdoors, relax unconnected to the web. Withdrawal from checking your phone every 2 minutes should subside after a few days."
"Don't forget to remove vibrate mode, too."-I-Play-To-Win
One Small Cause
"Choose one cause for helping make it better, and research how you can realistically begin to help. You can't solve everything, but you can help in one area. Then relax, because you are already doing what you can."-MahStonks
These moments provide much needed relief from a world that seems determined to put us all on edge at every single moment.
The Turn Of A Tide
"Early 2000s, there was a big Anti-Gay push. People were fighting any hope for gay marriage, we had elected a president whose campaign emphases how he was against it and you just couldn't convince those on the other side that gay people getting married wouldn't hurt their hetro Mirages."
"At the time I felt the fight for equal rights had been pushed back decades. June 26, 2015, The Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage."
"Just today I saw two teen boys holding hands as they walked home from school. We still have a long way to go but I count this as a big win. I never thought we would get to this point in my life time."
"When I start to feel overwhelm I remember that this happened. Sometimes it can feel we are going backwards before real change happens."-Mable-Syrup
Interesting Times Are A Curse
"Some might say ignore it while others obsess about it so much they feel hopeless and helpless. One way or another, don't put your head in the sand."
"The times we're in will mold the.future for centuries to come. I don't have the answers, but I do know something wicked this way comes and the more we know, the more likely we are to fix it."-invalidpassword
How To: Cope
"Truth be told I am not sure I do. But more so cope with the reality of the time I live in. The world is persistently in turmoil and always has been."
"And just reminding myself the my parents lived through the Cold War. My grandparents through world wars. My great grandparents through famine."
"I remember that in the end we don't know what will be the end, but if it is tomorrow make sure that today was worth the last 24 hours I had."-jaaareder
But Can't One Person Change It All?
"By simply accepting that there's nothing I can do about the state of the world. I'm just one man. I can improve my own little piece of the world but I can't fix everyone else's."
"Change what is in your power to change. Accept what is beyond your power to change. And please have the decency to be humble about which is which. We have enough people around who can't. They're called politicians and they're a**holes."
"Also the world is getting better. We're a decade away from solving hunger for good and CO2 emissions in the US are down 22% in the last decade thanks to fracking of all things."
"Look for the good things happening in the world. You have to actively search for them because there's a lot of sh*tty people whose livelihoods are derived from you being scared and miserable. Politicians love fear, it gives them power."-Joescout187
Just when it feels like the world has won, it's your job to take back control of your life.
Kids Really Do Be Like This
"The unbridled optimism of children is an excellent remedy for depression."
"My friend's two year old son is one of the reasons I haven't considered murder suicide as a solution to my issues with my ex."
"The rest is having good friends and family to begin with and of course not being a murderous psychopath."-Joescout187
Ain't Humans Something
"I realized that the world has been in a constant state of near disaster since humanity first evolved. We'll never have a utopia and you'll likely only see a few things get better in your lifetime."
"So I figure I'm going to be here for about 80 years give or take. Might as well enjoy it while I can."-Playingpokerwithgod
Stay Present, Not In The Clouds
"I recently watched a run of Silent Hill 2. My gamer senses has gotten better that I can think of the map, the world, and even how the creators could have created the game."
"I noticed it and let myself get immersed in the world and story. I did it by keeping my mind 'only in the room' that the character was in."
"If he was outside, act like he can't see the rest of the world because of the fog. Like the game, the actual world is scary... And i make sure i keep my presence in the room I'm in."-SenorCerv
Did any of these give you a little jolt of inspiration for how to avoid all the bad stuff the next time it comes up?
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Humans Have Now Put 1 Million Animal And Plant Species At Risk Of Extinction, Scientists Say
A new United Nations assessment has concluded that humans have now put 1 million animal and plant species at risk of extinction, confirming the "unprecedented" effect of human activity on the planet at large.
The 1,500 page report, approved by representatives from the United States and 131 other countries, was released yesterday in Paris.
Robert Watson, chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, which was established in 2012 by the United Nations Environment Programme, said in a statement:
"The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide."
"For a long time, people just thought of biodiversity as saving nature for its own sake. But this report makes clear the links between biodiversity and nature and things like food security and clean water in both rich and poor countries."
Among the report's key findings:
- 25 percent of mammals, more than 40 percent of amphibian species, nearly 33 percent of sharks and 25 percent of plant groups are threatened with extinction.
- The average abundance of native plant and animal life has fallen by 20 percent or more.
- Global warming has accelerated wildlife decline.
- Biodiversity loss is projected to accelerate through 2050 unless countries make strong commitments to conservation.
- Approximately 1 million animal and plant species could die out "within decades."
- Changes in land use, pollution, poaching, overfishing and climate change are the primary threats to the planet's biodiversity.
The human impact on nature has been so devastating that the study's authors call for "transformative changes" to either halt or reverse the threat to biodiversity.
Watson says governments must make this a priority as climate change:
"Loss of biodiversity is just as important as climate change for the future of mankind. The two are highly coupled. You can't deal with climate change without dealing with biodiversity."
Many policymakers are calling for changes in the wake of the report.
The U.N.'s report comes as the world grapples with a sixth mass extinction, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The publication blames human overpopulation and overconsumption for the "biological annihilation" of wildlife in recent decades.
In February, an alarming study published in the journal Biological Conservation found that 40 percent of insect species on the planet are in population decline as a result of climate change, pesticide usage, and the introduction of invasive species that "could have catastrophic consequences for both the planet's ecosystems and for the survival of mankind."
You can read a summary of the U.N. report's findings HERE.
Extinction Rebellion Protesters Stage 'Die-In' At London's Natural History Museum To Highlight Climate Change
An Easter Monday "die-in" protest at London's Natural History Museum is getting the attention of people around the world and jumpstarting a discussion about the effects of climate change.
Protesters both young and old, many participated as a family, lay down on the floors of the Natural History Museum to obstruct traffic in an act of civil disobedience.
Twitter user Nick Lowles, of UK non-profit Hope Not Hate, shared videos of the demonstration.
200+ protestors stage a “die in” at the Natural History museum in the latest action in the #ExtinctionRebellion upr… https://t.co/Dig4cYkPqP— Nick Lowles (@Nick Lowles) 1555952272.0
Families, kids and grandparents all come together to send a warning about the threat to the world. A very fitting v… https://t.co/epKNhehr1u— Nick Lowles (@Nick Lowles) 1555952295.0
.@ExtinctionR has inspired a new generation of activists (young and old). Climate change is the most important issu… https://t.co/W4slUlCrsW— Nick Lowles (@Nick Lowles) 1555952337.0
Others also shared photos from the protest.
try to find me at the XR Natural History Museum die in!! hint: I’m near a tiger and a penguin https://t.co/fSpFvBCc10— Cas (@Cas) 1555946670.0
Happened to be in the Natural History Museum this afternoon when @ExtinctionR arrived. It’s now headlining on the n… https://t.co/XW3E52gz7Y— hilary cockshaw (@hilary cockshaw) 1555951153.0
This is happening! Extinction Rebellion protestors lying down inside the Natural History Museum in London 📸@PA… https://t.co/fqVrXE9flg— Derek Momodu (@Derek Momodu) 1555941955.0
According to their website, Extinction Rebellion is:
"an international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience to achieve radical change in order to minimise the risk of human extinction and ecological collapse."
They operate under a set of 10 principles and values that guide members' actions,as well as the collective actions of the movement.
This YouTube video from Extinction Rebellion gives a little more background information:
"Welcome to the Rebellion!" - Extinction Rebellion youtu.be
A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion told The Guardian:
"What this shows is that Extinction Rebellion has spoken to people who have been wanting to act on this for such a long time but haven't known how."
"The debate on this is over – ordinary people are now saying it is time for politicians to act with real urgency."
Extinction Rebellion has received an influx of donations and volunteers for future demonstrations since Monday.
The number of those volunteering for future protests soared from 10,000 to 40,000 in the subsequent 2 days.
Youth from Extinction Rebellion wrote a letter to Parliament, asking them to take the steps to halt climate change now, while there is still hope.
"We are writing to ask you to hear the science, to feel the public's change of heart and to act now to save our futures … Now the time has arrived to stand up and be counted – you are our elected representatives and we need your help."
The group has also had several other disruptions across London, leading to over 1000 arrests for civil disobedience.
Reactions to the protest on social media were mixed, with many people complaining about the disruption and inconvenience—apparently not understanding that the disruption is literally the point of direct action.
Demands that protesters should do something "useful" instead of participating in disruptions were not uncommon.
@HopeBrexit @bailey8559 @Johnny_Brexit @lowles_nick So save the planet.... but at a more convenient time?— Lee McMahon (@Lee McMahon) 1556007215.0
Many who supported the protest cited the ineffectiveness of other forms of action in the fight against climate change, though.
@XijinChan @Jackx4023 @lowles_nick Cos also to say I am not a natural protester at all, I don’t like disruption. Bu… https://t.co/MjqfQgCdrc— Weaky Lynam (@Weaky Lynam) 1555980992.0
When other options aren't effective, direct action and disruption are often the only way to make change.
This Video Of An Orangutan Fighting Off A Bulldozer Destroying Its Home Is Breaking Everyone's Hearts
David Attenborough's BBC doc Climate Change: The Facts is leaving viewers heartbroken over some disturbing footage.
In one horrifying scene, an orangutan futilely fends off a bulldozer from completely destroying its home.
The fearless ape charges towards the digger and attempts to attack it, but the animal loses its footing from the felled tree and falls a few feet into the pile of branches and tree stumps below.
Sadness As An Orangutan Tries To Fight The Bulldozer Destroying Its Habitat www.youtube.com
The distressing footage released by International Animal Rescue is an example of the destruction of an animal's habitat for the sake of consumer greed, in this case, palm oil.
Palm oil is a vegetable oil derived from mesocarp of oil palms and is considered a cheap ingredient for everyday life such as foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels.
Some 66 million tons of palm oil are produced, annually. Due to its low world market costs, the oils properties are found in half of all supermarket products, such as "frozen pizzas, biscuits and margarine, as well as body creams, soaps, makeup, candles and detergents," as reported by Rainforest Rescue.
According to The Sun, palm oil plantations are replacing the huge swathes of forests in the humid climates of South East Asia, forcing various local wildlife to flee from their habitats.
Reddit commenters are suggesting alternatives to palm oil as effort to cut down on deforestation.
"Hint hint: don't buy so much prepackaged food. You can in fact bake your own cookies with butter or coconut oil. Tastes better too! Palm oil doesn't taste like anything." – nominally
"We don't have to treat the world like this. We can be more careful and considerate. Greed and apathy is inexcusable." – Brocklesocks
"Massive deforestation must be met with massive reforestation" – GrumpyGreedo
Imagine putting yourself in the orangutan's point of view. This is traumatic.
"That orangutan is literally witnessing it's own version of the apocalypse that's so fucked up" – spliffyMcPiffy
"2,000-3,000 are killed every year by direct human action. Honestly I care a lot more about these guys dying than human death. Maybe if there were 50,000 humans left, I'd feel differently." – KillerJupe
"Indonesia, Brazil, The Congo and other rainforest states are being brutally exploited and the entire world will suffer. when the plankton population collapses it's all over." – CadillacBottom
We need to stop deforestation, ditch the palm oil in our everyday products, save the orangutans and give our planet… https://t.co/agkwBDd9d9— Redshell Consulting🏗 (@Redshell Consulting🏗) 1555619847
Many are unaware of their contribution to destructive forces to these precious forests. So where do we start?
"I agree that apathy is way too prevalent when it comes to these issues but it's not just a matter of caring about it. I think a lot of people give a shit but wouldn't even know where to start on research or reducing their use of products that hurt the planet. I see plenty of comments here from people who had absolutely no clue about palm oil, imagine what the rest of the common population DOESN'T know or understand. Why does it seem like everyone wants to put the weight of responsibility on consumers when it should really be on these big companies?" – data_dawg
Suddenly, certain products are not necessities anymore.
"Fuck that we don't need coconut conditioner, figure something else out..." – shoe_botm
😩🥺 fuck palm oil i hate that they ruin homes for orangutans https://t.co/y5HCF4nBGR— ST★R GIRL (@ST★R GIRL) 1555780213
Attenborough, who is an environmentalist, explained in the documentary that climate change is the biggest threat to our planet in thousands of years.
"Right now we are facing our greatest threat in thousands of years: climate change. At the current rate of warming we risk a devastating future."
"The science is now clear that urgent action is needed."
"What happens now and in these next few years will profoundly affect the next few thousand years."
"It may sound frightening but the scientific evidence is that if we have not taken dramatic action within the next decade we could face irreversible damage of the natural world, and the collapse of our societies."
Approximately 70,000 orangutans roam the forests of Southeast Asia, but they face extinction due to EU's biofuels policy, which promotes the increase of renewable energy.
There are solutions in which we can contribute to the preservation of these habitats and the well-being on various species, including the Borneo elephant and Sumatran tiger, in addition to the orangutan.
We can eat home-cooked meals, ask retailers for palm-free products, sign petitions to elect representatives, and take other courses of action as suggested on the Rainforest Rescue website.
Colorado Just Had A Snow Storm After An Eighty-Degree Day And People Don't Know What Season It Is Anymore
Climate change is totes a hoax, right?
According to some people, it has always been a hoax.
But recent evidence continues to point toward a conclusion that the global climate is changing at an even faster rate than before.
Evidence for climate change is staggering. From consistent polar vortexes every winter to a piece of the Antarctic ice shelf the size of Manhattan having melted already, the signs are unmistakable and everywhere.
"@AOC is right. The environmental impacts of climate change and disaster-level events related to it are displacing… https://t.co/jPPuFLozbc— Justice Democrats (@Justice Democrats) 1555081821.0
Climate change is having a major impact on global health https://t.co/PeZzuptKhA https://t.co/vw89qkRYtx— Scientific American (@Scientific American) 1555174812.0
Former @UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “I am sorry to have to repeat the same message over and over again that w… https://t.co/6gSIl3irbD— UN Climate Change (@UN Climate Change) 1555160401.0
"We are in terrible, terrible trouble." Environmentalist Sir David Attenborough told @Lagarde time is running out… https://t.co/Ara8pn3Fak— TicToc by Bloomberg (@TicToc by Bloomberg) 1555154409.0
Alarming stats on the state of our #Ocean . 5 awful facts about oceans... #FFF #1o5C #XR #GlobalWarming… https://t.co/nTVF1KoV4u— John Stone (@John Stone) 1555141242.0
In the most recent example of "climate change is absolutely real you clods," Colorado faced back to back days from completely conflicting seasons.
First came the warm day.
75 degrees today. Winter storm warning tomorrow. Another beautiful day teaching intro geology students about rock… https://t.co/9GKC7j4QKm— Brigitta Rongstad (@Brigitta Rongstad) 1554845653.0
When Colorado gives us the gift of a warm early spring day you take learning outside! #PSDProud https://t.co/GGkxgSvfbX— Natalia Ferreira (@Natalia Ferreira) 1554498090.0
Colorado you’re teasing us tonight with your warm temperatures and beautiful skies. #9wx #cowx https://t.co/fyCSbVUMUK— lindak9news (@lindak9news) 1554860178.0
But the promise of warmth was marred by a snow forecast.
Most people couldn't believe it:
#cowx the calm before the storm...what a great end to a very warm day in the Mile High city...we officially reached… https://t.co/tJ6b8yy3uL— Dave Fraser (@Dave Fraser) 1554862515.0
Remember this past weekend when it was sunny and warm and we will all did Colorado adventure things like hiking? 😎… https://t.co/GYbdZWzFRG— Merry (@Merry) 1554905421.0
Preparing for another nasty Blizzard in Colorado. Oil field ops doing what they can before road conditions are not… https://t.co/aUHoSukOFR— The Beautiful & The Ugly (@The Beautiful & The Ugly) 1554914754.0
Colorado a how for doing the switch up after it being warm the past few days but it’s also so pretty https://t.co/uTCisCjr27— yuhhh (@yuhhh) 1554921091.0
It was nearly 80 degrees in Denver yesterday and yet today it looks like we’re headed for another #bombcyclone. Tha… https://t.co/xKFUB7355a— Lighthouse Writers Workshop (@Lighthouse Writers Workshop) 1554922451.0
But come the snow did.
Michener Library will be closing at 2:30 PM due to inclement weather. There will be no Late Night Study tonight. St… https://t.co/0E1a2TgcW0— UNC Univ Libraries (@UNC Univ Libraries) 1554924324.0
@madisonrushing_ Sounds nice, there's snow in the forecast for Colorado and IM SO DONE WITH THE COLD N SNOW I JUST… https://t.co/nJbdWv9pX7— Morgan (@Morgan) 1554926624.0
@pulpmx @JasonWeigandt @Jason66Thomas @KKeefer120 Welcome to Spring in Colorado. Pulp Live will be the cozy warm,… https://t.co/QMf001Gj4I— Mark Wright (@Mark Wright) 1554935604.0
Thanks for the warm welcome Colorado. #GameofThrones https://t.co/uAKHimOFzI— Drake White (@Drake White) 1554992079.0
Over one thousand flights were canceled because of the storm, which brought winds over 100 mph to the people affected.
And once any built up snow melts, the already flooded rivers, responsible for millions of dollars worth of loss and damages in the midwest this season, may flood even further.
Deadly blizzard pummels the midwest. @perezreports is live from St. Cloud, MN with the latest on the storm.… https://t.co/4WQBA8Bp5G— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1555068011.0
It’s the middle of spring, and yet parts of the Plains and upper Midwest are bracing for more than two feet of snow… https://t.co/j8DoUSn8Cx— CBS Evening News (@CBS Evening News) 1554935878.0
So much for spring: Winter Storm #Wesley has put 1.2 million people across the Midwest and Plains under a blizzard… https://t.co/OrfMJXQmBk— Pattern (@Pattern) 1555002960.0
A second “bomb cyclone” hit the Midwest, unleashing dangerous blizzards. https://t.co/JOojPbxdZN— HuffPost Politics (@HuffPost Politics) 1555107300.0
A second “bomb cyclone” hit the Midwest, unleashing dangerous blizzards. https://t.co/FYrbSZJ76g— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1555107300.0
Should climate change be allowed to progress, it will continue to bring on catastrophic disasters like this.