Why Cathedral Thinking & Multigenerational Conversation Should Be Part Of Your Climate Practice

I'm inspired by author Roman Krznaric, who writes about "cathedral thinking" and urges us to adopt an ethic of "longtermism" as we think of ourselves as ancestors.

Our days quickly sift through the hourglass, and therefore we should intentionally think about what we're building for the next generation. He points out that humans can excel at long-term thinking and highlights examples, including the Trans-Siberian Railway, the global eradication of smallpox, the Green Belt Movement in Africa, the U.S. Constitution, and Yellowstone National Park.

Past generations thought about us—our needs for transportation, health care, and even wild places. Of course, they missed the mark a lot too, but these incredible advances benefit us all. In climate action, we must adopt this cathedral thinking and start acting in future generations' best interests.

Taking time to consider our personal and generational legacy is a worthwhile exercise. Thinking about life after you leave this planet is what Krznaric calls the "death nudge," a reminder of your own mortality. I prefer to call this phenomenon the "hourglass," not only as an homage to Days of Our Lives but also as a way to express the notion of coming to terms with the inevitable passage of time.

Behavioral psychology research shows that as people become more aware of their mortality, they're more likely to act in future generations' interests. One study showed that participants who wrote a brief essay about their legacy and how they wanted to be remembered donated 45% more to charity1 than those who didn't write the essay.

A multigenerational partnership is a major factor in creating lasting change. Our experiences and anxiety about climate change may differ, but our need for each other and for action are constant. An intergenerational partnership sounds great, but how do we begin? In some cultures, intergenerational conversation and activities are the norm.

Here, I'm encouraging you to have an intentional discussion about climate change and the future. This initial step requires you to spend time together either virtually or in person. This partnership doesn't have to be with your family; it can be with your community. What can you design or lay the groundwork for now that benefits the future? What behaviors can you change individually or together to support momentum for this vision?

Then, it's time to act. After the previous six steps, come up with a plan. It doesn't have to be fancy, and you're not going to be graded on it. For example, you can choose one of the 60 greener initiatives in this book to do together. Promise to share articles on social media. Watch a documentary and then hop on Zoom to discuss it afterward.