Rewrite Reality: What Climate Change Is Really Telling Us?

Welcome to Rewrite Reality, where we peel back the layers of how we imagine our world — then explore what it means to build different futures. I’m Gregg the Artivist. And on today’s episode, we’ll dive into – What Climate Change Is Really Telling Us!

Join me to reflect, challenge assumptions and spark possibility. Thanks for being here — let’s get into it.

So I was having dinner last night with some friends when one friend said to me: “Hey Gregg, Ive been meaning to ask you, Why do you care so much about climate change? You don’t have kids, and it’s not going to impact you in your lifetime.” At first, I was like, “Well, I have a niece and four nephews! And climate change is already a thing!” But it got me thinking deeper.

It had me thinking about people’s ‘bigger picture’ understanding about climate change. And what I mean by this is, when I talk about climate change, or fighting for climate justice, I’m not just talking about crazy weather and rising waters. So Im, curious, have you ever wondered what climate change actually represents?

Take a moment now, and drop your thoughts in the comments below. Well get back to them later.

So, why am I so concerned about climate change?
You know, being childless, and apparently too old to witness the impacts of climate change. I have to thank my mate for that!

Think of climate change as a massive warning sign being held in our faces, saying “hey guys, there’s something’s seriously wrong with how we are living”. And it’s not just about the weather going haywire!

Climate change is like the result of a ton of societal issues, both old and new. It highlights the flaws in our systems, our beliefs, and our practices. And it’s not always obvious the connections. A lot of people just won’t this bigger picture unless they’re deeply involved in climate discussions, like through work, research, or constantly absorbing info, like me, attending climate conferences and events.

From all that I’ve learned, climate change is a legacy of colonialism, where power and control were taken by a few at the expense of many. This history of inequality and discrimination still impacts our modern lives. It’s just wrap up in a different way. Think when big corporations exploit resources in poor countries, like fast fashion, where mega factories of people work earning next to nothing, because they are from poorer countries. That’s colonialism in action.

And so then Climate change is tightly linked to human rights, showing the disparities in how different communities are affected. It also underscores the importance of knowledge—how sharing or suppressing it can shape our response to global challenges.

Furthermore, climate change exposes just how fragile our societal systems are, and how deeply interconnected and dependent we are on these systems, and how deeply connected these systems are on each other,. A great example of this is oil. We’ve had countless alternatives over the years, but we’ve stuck to oil like our lives depended on it. Or take supermarkets, for example. Imagine living in a big city and suddenly, all the supermarkets stop getting supplies. One hiccup in our fragile societal system could lead to widespread chaos. So the only way to keep this system operating is growth. And growth is breaking down the system and a cause of climate change.

And then, fragile enough, our societal systems are heavily influenced by politics, global power dynamics, and conflicts, which often make these issues worse. Capitalism and greed drive consumerism, leading to unsustainable practices in food production and resource extraction, which in turn wreak havoc on the environment.

And the climate crisis reveals the dark side of our society and the pervasive lies and deception we’re fed, whether it’s misinformation about climate science or corporations’ greenwashing tactics to profit unduly. We need to confront some uncomfortable truths about our economic and political systems, awakening to the lack of transparency, accountability, and genuine change.

Climate change underscores the massive disconnect between humanity with itself, and humanity and nature, and the very vessel that sustains us (aka the planet). It highlights our arrogance in thinking we know what’s best for the planet, like a fetus deciding what’s best for its mother from the womb. And there’s our ignorance in believing there’s a technological or financial fix which is just staggering. And then mainstream environmentalism and sustainability policies don’t tackle the root causes. Instead, they’re all about “using capitalism to save capitalism from capitalism.” To quote from Ruth Wilson Gilmore.

Whether I have children or not, climate change is happening now. We live in a world of disconnection, inequality, and injustice. Climate change can be seen as a kind of retribution for our actions, threatening the future existence of humanity.

So the reason why I am so concerned about climate change and I fight for climate justice is I do so tackling these interconnect issues head on. It’s about us recognising the deep roots of the problem and working towards systemic change and healing from our disconnection with nature and with each other. to try and create a more equitable and harmonious relationship with the planet and its inhabitants ensuring that all communities can thrive in a healthy, balanced ecosystem with respect for all forms of life at the forefront.

So, after that I’m curious—what do you think climate change is the consequence of, and what does it actually represent? Has today’s discussion changed how you think about it? If so, or if you have any other thoughts, drop your comments below.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Rewrite Reality. If this resonated, consider sharing with someone who might also be thinking deeply about the world around them.
Head over to greggtheartivist.com to explore more: I have the same episode in full, extra content, as well as ways to connect.

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Until next time, stay curious, keep questioning — together we can reshape what’s possible.