5Talks meets
Global Optimism’s
Matthew Phillips

Climate change is an epic problem, says Matthew Phillips. But that doesn’t negate the need for optimism. In fact, it makes it more urgent than ever, because, he explains, “you’re using it as your point of indignation and of courage – that you want to go and do something about it”.

For him, storytelling is a vital way of growing the “groundswell of action” that’s needed, because stories allow us to move from abstract terms such as 1.5℃ targets and IPCC reports to personal narratives that real people can engage with.

“The world is way off track towards meeting its climate goals at the moment. And the problem is, if we keep telling ourselves we’re doing badly, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy,” he says.

Global Optimism was founded by Christiana Figueres, the former executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Tom Rivett-Carnac. Both were principal architects of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the landmark treaty where world leaders pledged to reduce emissions.

See the whole interview with Matthew Phillips below and find out what ‘fomo’ has to do with optimism and change.