The Climate is Changing—Should We Be Worried?

The climate is changing. We all see it. Yet, some among us who fear the unknown still insist on framing it as an existential crisis, a looming catastrophe that demands our immediate concern. But isn’t adaptation the very essence of humanity? Our ability to evolve, to mutate, to thrive in the face of adversity is what has always defined us. Now, as the planet shifts, it forces us to confront a new reality: evolution is not a choice but a necessity. And while many might be panicking, fearing the end of humanity, others see this as just another chapter in the Earth’s story. Some scientists have gone further, even predicting that we might go extinct like the dinosaurs—a dramatic conclusion to our time on this planet.

But let’s be honest: humans thrive on quests. We need challenges to fuel our days here on earth, and the more insurmountable the challenge, the more alluring it becomes. Climate change, with its apocalyptic undertones, fits perfectly into this narrative. It’s a grand, impossible mission—one that taps into our deepest fears and desires. Yet, beneath the surface, we all know the truth: no matter how hard we try, we cannot control this planet. We may exalt ourselves as superior beings, capable of bending nature to our will, but the Earth operates on its own terms. It is indifferent to our ambitions, our laws and our illusions of control.

Take, for instance, the act of planting trees. It’s a noble effort, one that benefits the environment in countless ways. But let’s not kid ourselves: if a climate catastrophe were to strike like floods, famines or worse—those trees would offer little protection. They are a Band-Aid on a wound that runs much deeper. The Earth will do what it has always done: change, adapt and evolve. And so must we.

History clearly shows that for centuries, society has idolized fair skin—a prejudice that gave birth to the skin-bleaching industry, a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that continues to thrive to this day. This, too, is a form of evolution, though a misguided one. People altered their biology to fit an ideal, only to find themselves ill-equipped for the realities of a changing environment. Now, as the planet warms, those who once sought to lighten their skin are facing the consequences of their choices. The irony is stark: 70% of skincare products contain whitening agents, a testament to humanity’s relentless pursuit of control. But the Earth doesn’t care about our vanity. It doesn’t care about our fears. It simply is. And it will continue to change, forcing us to adapt or perish.

At its core, this is a story about control. Humans crave it. We build laws, regulations, and systems to impose order on chaos. But the Earth doesn’t follow rules. It doesn’t adhere to our timelines or our expectations. It acts on its own, driven by forces we can only begin to understand. All we can do is observe, predict, and adapt. The rest is out of our hands.

So, should we be worried? Perhaps. But worry alone won’t save us. What we need is resilience, creativity and the humility to accept that we are not the masters of this planet—we are merely its inhabitants. And like all inhabitants, we must learn to live with the changes it brings.