International Earth Day is not only a reminder of our planet's fragility but also an opportunity to assess how discussions about the climate crisis are changing. Today, scientists increasingly focus not only on technological solutions but also on shifts in societal behavior—from consumption habits to the impact of information on environmental decisions.

We discuss this with Dr. Nomeda Gudelienė, Adviser to the Vice-Rector for Sustainable Development at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), whose academic and practical experience includes sustainability strategies, promoting responsible consumption, and environmentally friendly economic models.

"Due to human activity, insatiable consumption, and resource waste, ecosystems are being disrupted, affecting not only people but also animals. Their populations are declining, impacting the entire food chain and overall well-being. Since this process is already underway and accelerating, urgent solutions from social and humanities researchers are needed—to awaken societies from hedonistic consumerism, adapt to climate change, and manage climate-induced migration flows," says Dr. Nomeda Gudelienė.

– What new or less discussed aspects of climate change are scientists starting to explore recently?

– Alongside technological innovations and smart infrastructure solutions, societal behavior in the face of climate change probably receives undeservedly little scientific attention. Why are plastic oceans expanding or textile mountains growing? How can we curb consumption and fast fashion? How can we encourage people to travel less and choose sustainable transport? How can we halt deforestation, the destruction of natural meadows and ecosystems, and the construction of residential buildings or monoculture plantations in their place? How can we ensure water and food security worldwide? What measures can promote a minimalist lifestyle? How can people be motivated to participate in the circular economy and live waste-free? How can we manage mass migration flows driven by climate change? What is the impact of verbal and visual communication about sustainability on human behavior? How can critical thinking be fostered to filter out greenwashing? What are the most effective tools for building a climate-resilient society? These are just a few of the questions that social and humanities scientists and researchers can help answer.

– Are there any climate change solutions or technologies that seem promising but do not receive enough attention?

– Critical thinking—understanding which of our daily habits help mitigate climate change and which cause more harm—is probably the most important human ability that does not receive enough attention. For example, email and social media are essential parts of our lives. However, a full inbox with countless emails and photos has a significant environmental impact. Every sent and stored email consumes electricity, and data is stored on servers that operate 24/7. Maintaining these servers requires massive data centers, which consume large amounts of electricity and contribute to CO₂ emissions. Millions of unnecessary emails and photos create a substantial environmental burden. If we do not take personal action to reduce our digital pollution, data centers will become an even greater source of CO₂ emissions. Therefore, personal electronic hygiene is a simple technological solution that I believe does not receive enough attention in the climate change context.

– Which ongoing climate change process concerns you the most, and why?

– Deforestation, the destruction of natural meadows and ecosystems, water scarcity, and natural disasters, which have become a natural part of our lives, are among the most worrying issues. However, even more concerning are human indifference and greenwashing. Millions of people are forced to leave their homes due to floods, food and water shortages, and land degradation, leading to social and economic unrest and even wars. The language we use to describe climate change is also crucial. Overuse of climate-related terms desensitizes people, turning communication into propaganda that they ignore or even find irritating. Yet, the underlying processes of climate change are incredibly important.

– What is the biggest myth about climate change that you still hear, and how should it be debunked?

– One of the biggest myths still frequently repeated is that "climate change does not exist." However, I hope you agree that environmental degradation, industrial expansion, excessive consumption, and waste generation cannot occur without negative consequences for people and the environment. Climate scientists agree that the current warming is human-induced. Over the past 150 years, the average temperature has risen by approximately 1.2°C—far more rapidly than any known natural changes over the past few thousand years. Previously, climate changes took millennia, but now they occur within decades. Climate models that analyze only natural factors cannot explain the observed warming. Our generation has harmed the Earth and people more than previous generations, but we still have the chance to change our behavior and slow climate change.

– Can we expect to significantly slow climate change by the middle of this century, or should we prepare to adapt to inevitable changes?

– The likelihood of significantly slowing climate change depends on how quickly and decisively we, as individuals and societies, take action. Time is running out, and realistically, we will likely have to adapt to unavoidable changes. Technologies such as renewable energy, changes in land and resource use, and reduced consumption can slow climate change. However, current global actions are insufficient—many countries still rely on fossil fuels, and political and economic interests hinder a faster transition to sustainable solutions.

Since the effects of climate change are already being felt and seen—through natural disasters, droughts, floods, melting glaciers, ecosystem loss, and climate-driven migration—we must invest in resilient infrastructure, public education, and preparedness. On a personal level, we must audit our lives and choose a lifestyle that causes less harm to people and the environment. We need to change what we can and calmly accept what we cannot.