This thread is something else. https://t.co/E1HA5agvP2
— Jason (@jasonelevation) January 7, 2017
Meteorologist Eric Holthaus has warned time and time again about the looming climate apocalypse. Combine that with the election of Donald Trump as president and it was all just too much:
I'm starting my 11th year working on climate change, including the last 4 in daily journalism. Today I went to see a counselor about it. 1/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
I'm saying this b/c I know many ppl feel deep despair about climate, especially post-election. I struggle every day. You are not alone. 2/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
There are days where I literally can't work. I'll read a story & shut down for rest of the day. Not much helps besides exercise & time. 3/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
The counselor said: "Do what you can", which I think is simple & powerful advice. I'm going to start working a lot more on mindfulness. 4/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
Despair is natural when there's objective evidence of a shared existential problem we're not addressing adequately. You feel alone. 5/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
You feel powerless. You feel like nothing matters. Your relationships suffer. You feel guilty for "not doing more" 6/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
But what the hell am I supposed to do? Write another blog post? Our secretary of state is the fucking Exxon CEO. 7/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
Last year we lost a huge chunk of the Great Barrier Reef. We are literally ending existence of animals that were here for millions of yrs 8/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
We don't deserve this planet. There are (many) days when I think it would be better off without us. <cue climate denier trolls> 9/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
How am I supposed to do my job—literally to chronicle planetary suicide—w/o experiencing deep existential despair myself? Impossible 10/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
To me, our emotional/psychological response is *the* story on climate change. It defines how (and if) we will solve the problem. 11/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
The number one comment I get is "we're fucked". That's not totally true. In order to "save the planet" we have to confront this despair. 12/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
Climate despair, on its own, isn't bad. It's a sign you care. It's just hard to function when you feel weight of the world crashing down.13/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
The more I talk about my despair, the more I realize other ppl feel same thing. That makes me hopeful—we are more powerful than we think.14/
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
I don't have an answer for where to go from here. That's why I'm in counseling. But part of the answer is: don't be afraid to talk. 15/15
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) January 6, 2017
Hopefully Holthaus rented an extra large safe space for this occasion, because he’s not alone:
The despair @EricHolthaus expresses here has—at one point or another—overcome every single person I know who works on the planetary future. https://t.co/YUTkOlDbQb
— Alex Steffen (@AlexSteffen) January 6, 2017
This is a thread by a climate scientist, for everyone verging on despair over the state of climate inaction today. https://t.co/QOHJcVTm2l
— Rob Cottingham (@RobCottingham) January 6, 2017
Very brave tweet of a frustrated/depressed #climate #scientist. I know how you feel. https://t.co/8YRpa8c4mJ
— Andreas Lieb (@andreas_lieb) January 7, 2017
solidarity and strength, you aren't alone
— Germaine (@germaine_david) January 7, 2017
Thank you for writing all of this – it encapsulates everything I've been feeling. Keep writing…
— Sass (@booknerd989) January 7, 2017
Important thread. I’m struggling with the same issues. @EricHolthaus https://t.co/ljVuZdIFzh
— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) January 7, 2017
Journalism becomes pointless — impossible to do well — if "things are in the saddle and ride mankind." (Emerson.) Read this thread. https://t.co/Do4Jk5gjva
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) January 7, 2017
This is a moving thread about the personal despair of a writer who covers climate change every day https://t.co/wWWY0eRNR9
— Raf Sanchez (@rafsanchez) January 7, 2017
Others believe Holthaus has, let’s just say, a flair for the dramatic and wild exaggeration:
https://twitter.com/CraigRBrittain/status/817597758454411265
I am going to need a safe space, it’s going to snow early next week. I don’t think I can handle this. What should I do, @EricHolthaus?
— Scott Lofquist (@ScottLofquist) January 7, 2017
It's depressing when you're theory that you've devoted your life to isn't panning out like you thought it would.
— Ex-GOP Greg (@Flying59Vette) January 7, 2017
.@EricHolthaus On D-Day, there was no weeping about trace CO2 pic.twitter.com/8Fh4s94fKN
— Tom Nelson (@tan123) January 7, 2017
Someone get this poor meteorologist some help. He's in a cult if this is affecting day to day. https://t.co/zKFaGhxkiH
— Colorado RedTraci (@goptraci) January 7, 2017
Snowflake central. Would you even dare write this online? https://t.co/m7U3fvCV4p
— Sam (@shardiman92) January 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Daily_Planet_1/status/817747122477002752
Just as bad are the tweets replying to this pathetic rant. A lot of seriously screwed up people that agree with him out there … https://t.co/JJPSzWBkEW
— Lemon (@GrumblyMumbly) January 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/RedPillScience/status/817599056486744065
wth did I just read? That can't be real life
— Carl Gonzales (@cargo1982) January 7, 2017
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