Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim: Blaming is our biggest problem

Brigitte be Green: You have been tirelessly explaining the pandemic, science and the climate crisis to us on YouTube for years. And we’ve been thinking like this for years: How are we supposed to do all this?

Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim: We shouldn’t be too strict with ourselves right now. We persevere, with a lot of strain – and the light at the end of the Corona tunnel is life as before or worse. Fortunately, this is completely different with the climate crisis: Here the prospect is not a return to normality, but the creation of a new one. A revolution towards a better life. The vision of green cities, clean air, fewer conflicts over resources and refugee flows is that of a world worth living in. We must not lose sight of that. That’s why the effort we have to invest at the beginning is worth it.

Can we learn something for the climate from Corona?

In both crises we are witnessing what is called the tragedy of the commons. An example: In a village there is a pond with cod. There is enough for everyone – as long as everyone does not fish more than two animals per week. Once someone is greedy and gets more fish, the tragedy of the commons begins. Then others say: If someone gets five fish, I get five too. At some point everyone joins in and says: I’m not stupid and in the end I’m the only one who gets nothing. So you don’t have to be a selfish person to begin with – selfish behavior is contagious to a certain extent. In the end, the cod stocks collapse and everyone gets nothing. This is tragic, because actually everyone could benefit. It is the job of politicians to break through this tragedy, otherwise we are all just pointing fingers at each other.

Like those who say: Why should we do anything about climate change and limit ourselves while China is still blasting tons of CO2 into the air?

This China blaming is nonsense. Many German companies have locations in China or other countries where you can manufacture cheaply and produce a lot of CO2 there. And we consume a lot of goods here that were manufactured there.

Do we point the finger at others to make ourselves feel better and not have to change?

Yes, even on a small scale: Luisa Neubauer, for example, is not allowed to fly anywhere, but Christian Lindner is. That’s illogical: The climate doesn’t care who’s sitting on the plane! But we are hardest on those who are already saving CO2. We demand absolute perfection from them. In my opinion, this behavior is the biggest hurdle in overcoming the climate crisis. As long as we point fingers at each other, we are giving politicians the following signal: We as individuals are responsible for the climate crisis. So politicians can sit back and don’t have to worry.

How can we reverse the finger pointing?

Instead of “Woah, she’s vegan, but she’s going to Bali,” we could say, “Look, she’s going to Bali, but at least she’s vegan.” If someone drives an SUV, goes on vacation to Thailand, but chooses green, we say, “What a hypocrite that is!” But if he votes for the CDU, we’ll be less upset. Exactly this thinking is wrong. Because what the person does individually has less influence on the climate than what they choose, because politics alone has the power to bring about real change. As long as we don’t get that, we won’t apply enough pressure.

Does that worry you?

And how, because without political measures those who do the most will eventually be demotivated: because there will always be someone who acts in a way that is harmful to the environment – ​​and that is where the tragedy of the commons begins again. Then those who are committed will also say: why am I so stupid and still doing all this? That is why we absolutely need political guidelines. This is also the scientific consensus, by the way. If you ask researchers what else can be done, they say: We have been working on technologies, we are well equipped to create the energy transition. All that is needed now are political measures such as higher carbon pricing and subsidies for green technologies. Then you can say: Go on vacation, drive your SUV, but pay for it.

Doesn’t that put those who already have way too little at a disadvantage?

Many are rightly afraid that after Corona, the climate crisis will also hit the socially disadvantaged in particular. The climate change must therefore be designed in a socially just way – and it works! For example, by paying out a climate dividend. Means: I make CO2 more expensive, but divide the income evenly and pay it back to everyone. So you get more, the less income you have.

We know the climate crisis is here, we don’t have much time left. Why don’t we still do what’s right?

Because it’s so damn tiring. CO2 is an addiction. For us, consumption means quality of life. Flying, meat, cars – almost everyone has a weakness that is not sustainable. Changing that takes a lot of energy.

what is your weakness

I’m a clothes junkie. Of course I know: fast fashion is harmful to the environment, unfair, anti-social. Still, it’s so nice to shop for cool clothes! Due to the birth of my daughter and Corona, I’ve hardly been to the shops in the last two years and I’ve noticed that I don’t miss anything. Incidentally, that’s what I also hope for from measures and bans: that we understand that what we have previously understood as quality of life is not at all. It’s not about radical cuts. Basically, we should all see that everyone does as much as possible and support each other to change our behavior instead of putting us down.

By now we all know people who doubt the facts. How do you deal with it when it’s people you know well?

When someone I really care about suddenly spreads false information, it’s bad on an emotional level. What helps me is my trust in this connection. I try to see people and not give up on them. And to convince him with well-founded arguments.

But arguments are useless, right?

You plant a seed. Right now, when alternative facts are spreading and people in the climate debate are belittling the consequences of their actions, we must not stop discussing and standing up for the truth. We have a right to reliable facts. I can only make my own decisions when I am seriously well informed.

dr Mai Thi Nguyen Kim

Why you should know them:

Because the 34-year-old chemist explains science so well on her YouTube channel “maiLab” that you not only understand her, but can also laugh about it.

Green Hack:

“Our tap water is the most strictly controlled food in Germany. Drinking it saves three things: money, CO2 and towing.”

Eco Struggle:

“Flying! I really like to travel, it has great cultural value, broadens my horizons. But does it have to be several times a year? No.”

Her book:

“The Smallest Common Reality” (361 pages, 20 euros, Droemer)

An Instagram view

Hey, Mai Thi, can you answer questions with just a picture?

Question 1

What was the last time you got really mad about it?

question 2

What do you do when everything is getting to be too much for you?

question 3

You never leave your house without…?

question 4

What doesn’t your community know about you?

Not checked? No problem!

Answer 1: Watching television. Facts are constantly being debated as if they were opinions, which drives me nuts.

Answer 2: Mobile phone away, cook something for the family and cuddle!

Answer 3: dental floss.

Answer 4: That I’ve never been to the hairdresser.

@maithink

youtube.com/mailab

Bridget