PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 9, 2025
We feel frustrated, angry, powerless and “stupefied” by the chaos surrounding climate change: hostile politics, coverups, lies, misinformation and conversations stymied by disagreement. Cutting through the noise can help us leave confusion behind, bypass roadblocks and solve our climate problems. We have the necessary knowledge (climate data and scientific consensus on causes, effects and solutions) and technical tools (alternative energy sources, mitigation and adaptation technologies and systems thinking). Moreover, we — as individuals and as a species — can capitalize on our untapped abilities and capacities for successful climate action. We think about our long-term future (but only sometimes), make wise decisions (when we really try), collaborate (when seeing the need) and make changes that forge better futures than the ones we’re heading toward (when we initiate action and keep eyes on the prize). ~ Tom Bateman, Rockport, professor emeritus, University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce