Pessimism is probably a bigger problem than climate change, said novelist Ian McEwan on Monday afternoon, as temperatures in the UK broke May records. Speaking at the Hay Festival alongside former NFU president Minette Batters and Sandi Toksvig, McEwan argued that optimism is a moral duty.
McEwan on Optimism as Rationality
McEwan stated that he constantly hears people say they do not expect their children to have as good a life as they did, but he suggested that optimism is an exercise in rationality. Given the vastness and diversity of the world, he noted, it is quite possible that a revolution could be happening without our awareness. He referenced the 2020 milestone when UK renewable electricity generation surpassed that from gas and coal, a moment overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-Interest as a First Step
McEwan added that self-interest might be a very good first step toward progress on the climate crisis. For instance, saving £150 annually by installing solar panels on a balcony can lead to a sense of virtue, acting as a nudge toward broader change.
Batters on Farming Uncertainty
Minette Batters, who led the government's farming profitability review last year, highlighted that farmers do not know what is coming next due to extreme weather. She recounted that in her 26 years of farming, last year was unprecedented, with only 50% of normal hay and silage crops produced. Political shenanigans and changes heighten uncertainty; her review found that just 7% of farmers in England fully understand Defra's vision for farming.
Batters described farming as almost a game of Russian roulette, with decisions like growing spring barley akin to rolling dice. She criticised Andy Burnham's proposal for a land value tax, questioning why focus isn't on proper land use given waiting lists for allotments and lack of green spaces.
McEwan on HS2 and Footpaths
Asked about HS2, McEwan said there would be a huge gain in cutting losses and investing in local services instead. He praised Britain's 2,000 years of footpaths as extraordinary but under pressure, noting that powerful, semi-corrupt landowners can close a footpath by taking a council leader out to dinner.
