Dear friends of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative!
Gigantic forest fires, destructive storms, unimaginable floods – more than ever the past months have shown what the state the world’s climate is in. The images of the catastrophic consequences of the climate crisis went around the world this summer, millions of people and countless animal and plant species are suffering from increasing temperatures and extreme weather conditions. Last but not least, the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a gloomy forecast of what lies ahead if we do not take immediate and real action.
Yes, the climate issue can be overwhelming at times. The media reports on climate catastrophes and dramas, while politicians debate endlessly about the costs of climate protection measures. But there is another way! Instead of focusing on challenges and costs, putting the opportunities at the center of the climate debate could provide new inspiration and motivation for action. Instead of frightening figures and warnings, we need more encouragement to reach more people with the topic of climate protection. These were at least two of the numerous solutions discussed at the latest episode of “Arnold’s Stammtisch”. For the first time, it took place not virtually, but in person amidst the picturesque vineyards of the wine tavern Fuhrgassl-Huber in the 19th district of the beautiful city of Vienna. If you want to get more inspiration for new ways in climate communication from Arnold Schwarzenegger himself and guests like the Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen or the Austrian Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler, you can find the video of “Arnold’s Stammtisch” below.
In less than a month, COP 26 will begin in Glasgow and the climate crisis will once again be in the midst of international media coverage. However, these conferences only make sense if fast and real actions finally followed the many, often empty, words by the heads of states. For this to happen, it would be important that all of us together, as Arnold Schwarzenegger said at the Stammtisch, “speak to the heart not just the brain.”
All the best,
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