Climate Change and Change Blindness

I recently read a book about the brain in which the author referred to a phenomenon called “change blindness.” When a change takes place relatively slowly, we tend not to notice it. Geological changes take place so slowly that continents may be rising and islands sinking, but at a rate that’s indiscernible over the course of a lifetime. Climate change is faster –– one can discern seemingly slight changes over the course of decades –– but it’s not fast enough to overcome change blindness. That’s what’s happening. Some see it and are waving red flags. Most don’t see it or barely notice it. Others, whether they see it or not, prefer to ignore it.