It’s the End of the World as They Know It: Burden of Being a Climate Scientist

motherjones.com

Put another way, climate scientists often resemble Sarah Connor of the Terminator franchise, who knows of a looming catastrophe but must struggle to function in a world that does not comprehend what is coming and, worse, largely ignores the warnings of those who do. "An accurate representation” of the Connor comparison, one scientist darkly notes, “would have more crying and wine."

and

They know this deep truth: They are on the front lines of contending with the fear, anger, and perhaps even panic the rest of us will have to deal with.

and

Katharine Wilkinson points out, "Right now, we prioritize technical training in science and policy. But the tools of the trade will become increasingly emotional and psychological." At a recent panel discussion, she recalls, she blurted out, "I have no child and I have one dog, and thank god he’ll be dead in 10 years." Afterward, people asked Wilkinson if she truly believed that. "The truth is, I do," she says. "And it’s only going to get more intense—the emotional nature of this work—as climate change happens and the necessary actions become more urgent."

Reply on news.ycombinator.com