As the planet heats up, global economic concerns cool – but the environmental crisis continues to escalate, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable change.

First, there was the pandemic. Then came the war in Ukraine. And now, the next major threat to global stability could be the climate crisis.

Last week, the world recorded its hottest-ever day, only for the record to be shattered just 24 hours later with even higher temperatures. While global temperatures soar, the world economy is slowing down. Germany is already in recession, and other developed countries, including the UK, seem headed in the same direction. China’s post-lockdown recovery has stalled, and the US job market is cooling in response to higher interest rates.

This mix of economic stagnation and extreme weather events is deeply troubling. In the past, environmental pressures often spiked during economic booms, leading to stronger movements for green policies. This was evident in the early 1970s, the late 1980s, and just before the global financial crisis of 2008. However, the fact that the planet continues to warm despite slower economic growth raises serious concerns. Even if the US economy avoids a recession, the devastating Canadian wildfires that choked New York City with toxic smoke demonstrate the planet’s ecological collapse. In truth, the real global recession may be ecological, not economic.

Governments typically focus on long-term environmental policies when other urgent issues are not at hand. But with rising economic uncertainties and stretched public finances, there is increasing pressure to prioritize short-term solutions. The focus shifts to growth at any cost, and this has led to growing worries about the financial burden of transitioning to a cleaner, less carbon-intensive world economy, particularly on the most vulnerable.

These concerns are not without merit. For example, heat pumps and electric cars are costly, and fossil fuels still make up a large portion of the energy mix in countries like the UK. Moving away from this dependence will be neither quick nor cheap. Politicians facing economic downturns often postpone ambitious climate goals, hoping that future technological advances or market forces will allow the world to continue consuming without causing irreversible damage.

This approach may be short-sighted and irresponsible. It could be seen as neglectful, angering climate activists like the Just Stop Oil protesters, who have disrupted events at venues such as Lord’s and Wimbledon. Yet, for many in power, the temptation to delay action is strong. A recent example is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to backtrack on the UK’s £11.6bn pledge to help developing nations tackle climate change. While this is a betrayal of global responsibility, it fits with Sunak’s broader disinterest in climate action.

However, it’s not just politicians who are at fault. Voters send clear signals about their priorities, and the desire for a painless transition to a greener world remains strong. People may be increasingly aware of the planet’s future, but they also want a world where they can still enjoy things like driving and flying without feeling the burden of climate action. Many continue to support industries tied to fossil fuels, such as football clubs sponsored by oil money, because they prioritize immediate comforts over long-term environmental benefits.

There is still time to change course, but it requires a unified approach. The green movement must reconcile its divisions between those advocating for zero growth and those supporting sustainable growth. The real enemy is not necessarily capitalism itself, but a form of it that prioritizes consumption and profit over the well-being of the planet.