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Letter: The sweet spot between indifference and apathy

Published 24 December 2025

From Martin van Raay, Culemborg, The Netherlands

Regarding why climate action is stalling while Earth gets hotter: perhaps the disaster takes too long to hit. We have been hearing about it for years now, and while it is getting worse, it doesn’t have the urgency that, say, covid-19 had. Most people believe there is still time to act, so they stall (29 November, p 7). On the other hand, saying it’s five past midnight might drive people to apathy: “We’re doomed, so nothing helps now.” Is there a sweet spot between indifference and apathy?

Issue no. 3575 published 27 December 2025

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