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Global warming is caused by the rising level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The science behind this is well understood. Because the level of these gases in the atmosphere is cumulative and only slowly returns to equilibrium naturally, all additional CO₂ (and other greenhouse gases) directly results in increased heating effects. Human activity based on fossil fuels is releasing additional carbon which was stored in the ground over millions of years.

The resulting effect on the ecosphere is highly complex, since individual subsystems react in different, complicated and interconnected ways. Some of the resulting changes also result in feedback loops which reinforce the warming effect. These tipping points can result in catastrophic changes which are potentially irreversible. And, because the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reaches global equilibrium very quickly, every local emission affects the whole world globally in short order.

For an easy-to-read summary of the science: myclimate Climate Booklet 2020.

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How to combat denial and misinformation by developing effective motivational interventions is key to dealing with behaviour concerning global warming. The dilemma of feeling powerless and even apathetic although knowing that there is a crisis must also be tackled on a psychological and cognitive level.

One’s personal worldview has such a powerful cognitive effect that an individual is fully able to dismiss the broad scientific consensus about global warming as untrue and to ignore or explain away its most egregious local effects. In addition, in-groups can reinforce shared worldviews so that entire communities can become inaccessible to rational, scientific facts.

There is evidence that systematic misrepresentation of global warming over more than a decade by right-wing groups and corporations in the US, motivated to maintain the current consumption-led capitalist status quo, has led to the current partisan divide on global warming 45, p. 35. But the non-partisan objectivity of science should surely be a central pillar of our Enlightenment heritage.

The HEAT Method was developed to help interested Swiss individuals and households develop a personal action plan and start their own “grassroots” movement. It is a structured method used in a workshop setting which aims to develop a positive future state vision in a particular topic area, actionable steps that can be taken now, and a personalised narrative that can be shared with others.

The HEAT Method has four major steps:

• H – Start with Hope
• E – Evaluate your Approach
• A – Actually Act
• T – Tell Your Story.

Some prior preparation is required, and the method also includes follow up actions.

The HEAT Method looks for personal and motivating solutions. Humans are social beings: the more of us who can imagine a positive future with global warming, have taken some concrete steps within our own possibilities, and can talk about this within our peer group, the less easy it is for denial and apathy to set in, and for misinformation to take the upper hand.

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