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If you download this irreverent browser extension, whenever you read a doom and gloom climate story, you’ll receive a small call to action accompanied by an amusing snarky comment. Finally, pop-ups we can get onboard with.
As someone whose job it is to follow every minute detail of the existential crisis that is climate change, take it from me: doom scrolling can feel exhausting.
Every morning you’re trawling through stories describing worsening natural disasters, perishing biodiversity, and manmade crises like oil spills and plastic waste. All the while, fossil fuel conglomerates continue to expand their empires and consumerism reigns over us all.
Would you look at that, I’ve become part of the problem too.
On a serious note, nearly half of those aged between 16 and 25 describe having frequent bouts of anxiety due to climate change. As the headlines get more horrifying, and we edge towards ‘irreversible’ tipping points, nihilism and a sense of helplessness can start to creep in.
Thankfully, there are small adjustments you can make (especially online) to begin feeling more empowered and less overwhelmed about the whole situation.
Take, for instance, this new Chrome extension called UnF*** the Future, currently in beta development by eco-start-up Remark. Once installed, its savvy algorithm will lay dormant until you stumble across a climate story that may have once ignited feelings of helplessness.
At this point, in a neat little sidebar, a pop-up will appear with an irreverent satirical jab at the heart of the particular issue. For example, a story with the UN secretary declaring ‘code red for humanity’ prompted a message reading: ‘Congress is a toddler and you have to repeat basic things often, so tell Congress to support investments to protect nature and clean energy.’
