cog·ni·tive dis·so·nance

/ˈkäɡnədiv ˈdisənəns/

noun PSYCHOLOGY

the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change.

the Oxford Dictionary

Why am I here? I’ve normally chosen to sit on the sidelines of public discourse and debate when it comes to ‘Sensitive Matters’ about which various of my friends and colleagues may hold differing views.

The Sensitive Matters have been many, but let’s focus on Climate Change – why it’s happening and why we very smart thinking humans can’t muster an adequate response.

I’m here now because the Cognitive Dissonance within ME is no longer tenable. I don’t feel like I can live with myself staying on the sidelines.

What do I mean?

Well, my brain believes that the structure of our economy and society needs to change drastically. We need to figure out how to get off fossil fuels NOW. We need to pivot to much more local-based commerce, food production etc – self sufficiency.

My brain believes that, but I still drive my big truck, still order from Amazon regularly, still own oil company stocks, still enjoy avocados grown afar… and I don’t talk about climate change and it’s causes very much out loud.

That’s me… and I think there are a lot of folks out there like me… on Climate Change for those of us privileged to be well housed, well fed and well entertained… it’s all too easy to just carry on. Crisis? What Crisis?

Where is this going to go?

I’m not entirely sure. My goal is to start a discourse by sharing ideas, concepts, concerns – I feel that a lot of what’s really going on is not in front of us, we’re not aware. We’re the frog in the warming water unaware of our predicament.