Thread by @wakmax

THREAD I’ve been pretty sad since Monday morning's IPCC report. For over half my lifetime I’ve cared deeply about something called climate change. And every year, objectively, that something has got worse and harder to solve. This is the horrible truth of it.

I will never understand how the spectre of global climate breakdown doesn’t grip everyone in the stomach like it grips me, without letting go - twisting a little harder as every month passes.

I will never understand the death wish of the deniers and the sceptics, so secure and smug in their sophisticated ignorance, scorning even their own children and loved ones for a badge of honour.

But it’s my job - quite literally - to persuade people that their time is best spent taking action on climate change, in turn inspiring others to do so too.

Looked at one way, it shouldn’t be that hard.

If you want clean, fresh air - if you want streets, not roads - if you want trees of every kind - if you want birds in them - if you want more free time, and less work - if you want town centres made for people - if you want more community

if you want less stuff - if you want to slow down - if you want good food - if you want life all around you - if you want health all around you - if you want excellent, affordable public transport - if you want a warm home - if you want a humane commute

if you want neighbours you know - if you want vibrant countryside - if you want wildflowers and wild animals - if you want smart tech - if you want peace between countries - if you want better mental health - if you want democracy

if you want security for your kids - if you want kids - if you want fairness - if you want justice - if you want more parks, fewer carparks - if you want more butterflies - if you want an absence of fear - if you want less waste - if you want less haste

if you want to end racism - if you want to end sexism - if you want prosperity across the world - if you want children to play in the road - if you want weather you can trust - if you want ingenuity - if you never want to see another oil spill - if you want calm

if you want high standards - if you want to take pride in your generation - if you want stable politics - if you want to enjoy your old age

I could go on.

If you want these things then you want ambitious, era defining action on climate change. The alternative is a lurching erosion of almost everything you value.

There is so much to be gained.

It’s essential we focus on that.