3 answers
Taryn
Student
Coopersburg, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Updated
401 views
How can I stay hopeful and motivated in a world where climate change is accelerating, environmental injustices persist, and real change often feels painfully slow?
I want to dedicate my career to solving these overwhelming problems, but learning more about climate change makes me feel hopeless. #Spring25
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3 answers
Kevin Yang
Impact Investing
15
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hi Taryn,
Excellent question -- the existential dread around climate change is real and there's no denying that. I love to hear that you are interested in dedicating your career to working towards this cause. I'm in the same boat -- currently working in impact investing to help climate-focused companies get the funding they need to help decarbonize our world.
The truth about change (as you alluded to) is that it is painfully slow. This work is going to take at minimum a generation to transition in the best case scenario, as our global systems are so large. Slow change is a problem because as you know, there is an urgency to addressing climate change (and we are undoubtedly behind the curve).
Staying hopeful and motivated is a big topic amongst climate professional circles too -- you're not alone! I've felt nihilistic (i.e., what's the point / nothing matters) at times, but I have to remind myself -- if all else is dark (which it's not, even though the world is tough), what else do humans have besides hope? That hope and resilience is part of what makes us human.
The way I see it, we as individuals could do three things: (1) ignore climate change and live my life like it doesn't exist (hard to ignore), (2) don't do anything because it feels too overwhelming, or (3) try and do something about it. I'm going with the latter. Because climate change IS solvable. It's not going to be easy, but I want to play my part in it, because that's where my values are, that's what I believe in, and I want to build a better world for my children to grow up in.
Don't ever underestimate what just one individual can do (on the flip side, there's no silver bullet and it's going to take a lot of collective action, but that's made up of individual actions). If you end up with a career in this field, your work can and will make a difference. There will be obstacles and setbacks, undoubtedly (we are facing a lot more recently in 2025), but that's to be expected.
For climate professionals -- you have to take care of your mental health (because the burdens are real!) and have balance and take breaks. This work is a marathon, not a sprint, and burning out on mile 5 isn't going to help.
I have no idea what professions within climate interest you, but there are so many angles to approach it: business, finance, non-profit, policy, advocacy, local community initiatives, etc.
Cheers to your professional journey ahead! Don't hesitate to follow-up with any additional questions.
Best,
Kevin
Excellent question -- the existential dread around climate change is real and there's no denying that. I love to hear that you are interested in dedicating your career to working towards this cause. I'm in the same boat -- currently working in impact investing to help climate-focused companies get the funding they need to help decarbonize our world.
The truth about change (as you alluded to) is that it is painfully slow. This work is going to take at minimum a generation to transition in the best case scenario, as our global systems are so large. Slow change is a problem because as you know, there is an urgency to addressing climate change (and we are undoubtedly behind the curve).
Staying hopeful and motivated is a big topic amongst climate professional circles too -- you're not alone! I've felt nihilistic (i.e., what's the point / nothing matters) at times, but I have to remind myself -- if all else is dark (which it's not, even though the world is tough), what else do humans have besides hope? That hope and resilience is part of what makes us human.
The way I see it, we as individuals could do three things: (1) ignore climate change and live my life like it doesn't exist (hard to ignore), (2) don't do anything because it feels too overwhelming, or (3) try and do something about it. I'm going with the latter. Because climate change IS solvable. It's not going to be easy, but I want to play my part in it, because that's where my values are, that's what I believe in, and I want to build a better world for my children to grow up in.
Don't ever underestimate what just one individual can do (on the flip side, there's no silver bullet and it's going to take a lot of collective action, but that's made up of individual actions). If you end up with a career in this field, your work can and will make a difference. There will be obstacles and setbacks, undoubtedly (we are facing a lot more recently in 2025), but that's to be expected.
For climate professionals -- you have to take care of your mental health (because the burdens are real!) and have balance and take breaks. This work is a marathon, not a sprint, and burning out on mile 5 isn't going to help.
I have no idea what professions within climate interest you, but there are so many angles to approach it: business, finance, non-profit, policy, advocacy, local community initiatives, etc.
Cheers to your professional journey ahead! Don't hesitate to follow-up with any additional questions.
Best,
Kevin
Evan Vomund
Software Engineer
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Evan’s Answer
Hi Taryn, this is an excellent question. It can be difficult to find a career that aligns with your values and allows you to feel fulfilled by the impact you are providing. I encourage you to be patient in finding a career that can meet both your financial and social impact goals, as these two don't always overlap. I feel that it is important to prioritize early on your career success and to enter the workforce with an open mind. Without time in an industry, it will be difficult to find your niche. Give yourself time to learn and try new positions to build up your resume. Once you have more time in industry, I'm sure you will be able to identify positions that further align with your interests.
In the meantime, be sure to find a job with enough work/life balance that allows you to meet your interest outside of work. For example, I have an interest in supporting recent immigrants and have found plentiful volunteer opportunities that allow me to apply my expertise outside of the office. I'm sure there are many volunteer positions that align with your interests Aswell that you can form a community around. I'm sure that by forming a community with people who have similar interests, your network will help you identify jobs that allow you to feel all around fulfilled.
In the meantime, be sure to find a job with enough work/life balance that allows you to meet your interest outside of work. For example, I have an interest in supporting recent immigrants and have found plentiful volunteer opportunities that allow me to apply my expertise outside of the office. I'm sure there are many volunteer positions that align with your interests Aswell that you can form a community around. I'm sure that by forming a community with people who have similar interests, your network will help you identify jobs that allow you to feel all around fulfilled.
Davielle Panzullo, M.A., PMP
Business Transformation Sr. Manager
53
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Davielle’s Answer
My team gathered together to answer your question. Here's our insight:
Find things that make you feel good; focus on media and environments that aren't negative.
Start small where you can see immediate impact.
It is the people and relationships that pull you through.
Break up bigger problem in smaller pieces.
"80,000 hours" site talks about how to be most effective in the world. Take action, don't just dwell on the problem.
Have to be able to apply this to every part of your life. Can approach other areas in your life the same way. Read "Atomic Habits".
Also, focus on one area - environment
Less social media, youtube, tik tok, etc..Be sure that you are monitoring your phone and social media usage.
For every one negative thing, write down two positive things. Identify areas of gratitude.
Still find a way to volunteer in an area of interest, doesn't need to be aligned with your career. If you can, that's ideal, but not always the norm.
If you really love your job and can make an impact, the money will come.
The quality of what you intake is very important. Follow people who make a difference.
Find something you are good at and what the world needs. Build that skill set THEN follow your passion. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jIia7aXins)
Find things that make you feel good; focus on media and environments that aren't negative.
Start small where you can see immediate impact.
It is the people and relationships that pull you through.
Break up bigger problem in smaller pieces.
"80,000 hours" site talks about how to be most effective in the world. Take action, don't just dwell on the problem.
Have to be able to apply this to every part of your life. Can approach other areas in your life the same way. Read "Atomic Habits".
Also, focus on one area - environment
Less social media, youtube, tik tok, etc..Be sure that you are monitoring your phone and social media usage.
For every one negative thing, write down two positive things. Identify areas of gratitude.
Still find a way to volunteer in an area of interest, doesn't need to be aligned with your career. If you can, that's ideal, but not always the norm.
If you really love your job and can make an impact, the money will come.
The quality of what you intake is very important. Follow people who make a difference.
Find something you are good at and what the world needs. Build that skill set THEN follow your passion. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jIia7aXins)
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this. Thank you so much!
Taryn