Climate in Crisis Mode

In the face of existential doom, it’s not unusual to ask how in the world another magazine writing about climate change is really going to help. 

The Salient “Climate Crisis” issue doesn’t reduce emissions, nor build new public transport routes, nor burn down capitalism. If anything, our beloved print medium kills a big boy chunk of trees (at least we’re self aware right?). 

But our words fill a need just as great—they get us talking about the crisis. 

There are many days when the news becomes too much for us. We’ll avoid headlines as we become numb to barrages of bad news. Nobody likes the guy (Maia) who brings up the rapid global warming hurtling us into an unlivable future at Friday night pres. But it’s so important that we be that guy. 

The facts of the climate crisis—mitigation, adaptation, net-zero emissions, overshoot, and carbon budgets—mean nothing without communication. By communicating, telling our stories, and sharing our fears, the facts of the crisis feel real to us. Storytelling, artistry, and creation are all integral to understanding the dire state of the climate crisis and its impacts. Creativity also helps us to imagine a better future. 

On the cover of this issue, you’ll see a vision of the not-so-far-away future if we continue as we are—burning fossil fuels, over-consuming, polluting, and creating a climate that is uninhabitable in many parts of the world. If you feel afraid, then good, you should be. Oon the back cover, you’ll see a vision of a world where we have embraced change. It’s not perfect. We will still bear the impacts of climate-altered weather events, as we do today. And in many ways, this world will be a struggle to adapt to. But in the future, we might have embraced renewable energy, rewilded our cities, and embodied climate justice and mātuaranga Māori. As far away as this might seem, it is possible. 

If we don’t allow ourselves to imagine this future, and if we don’t find ways to cope with the climate crisis, then there is no hope. But if you treat this issue as an invitation to question, converse, and imagine, then we’ve got something to work with. Dive into the storytelling of the climate crisis, and get fucking angry. Be that guy who brings climate injustice up at the party. Argue with your uncle about reducing emissions. Look at your politicians, and if they aren’t doing enough, bring the anger to them. 

This week, Maia kicks us off imagining a climate-altered future by unpacking the crisis we are already in. Kiran jumps into how to approach climate nihilism from a positive lens. Pippi investigates all things climate denialism, and Lauren shares her hot takes on the environmental impact of festivals and live music events.

In our News section, Niamh covers staff cuts at Otago uni and asks whether we will be next. Zoë figures out just what is the new cost of living scholarship, and with Fran, they investigate the Save Passenger Rail protests. Ethan Sr susses out National’s new candidate for Wellington Central, while Ethan Jr dives deep into the controversial billboards appearing around Pōneke. Podcast Manager Alex makes his News debut, telling us his opinion on why we should make trains sexy.  

After reading this issue, go get an ice-cream—climate change is heavy. Then go take some action. 

Arohanui,

Maia and Fran xoxo

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