Diane Bos

Interview with ICAG volunteer, Diane Bos 

September 2026

How did you find out about Climate Change?

I think I first became aware of issues surrounding climate change when the Kyoto Protocol was being adopted in 1997, and getting some significant news coverage at that time. But I think what really awakened my alarm was viewing Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth back in 2006.  He has made an enormous contribution to public awareness through that film and one looks back in sadness for what might have been, in thinking of his loss of the US Presidency to George Bush in 2000. 

What does it mean to you personally?

Climate change to me ultimately threatens everything that I hold dear – the welfare of family, friends, and indeed every human being on Earth.  It means the loss of the integrity of the natural order, and the throwing into chaos of the intricate, complex and interdependent processes that have over billions of years given us the beautiful and fragile planet that we inhabit.  I think we have lost the recognition that we as human beings are just one part of the natural order, and instead have tried to dominate it through our economic and scientific systems, instead of living in harmony and careful co-existence with it.  We have lost sight of our total dependency on the natural world – if it goes, we go too!  In the past, I have done some work in the area of aid and development, and a further concern to me is a basic social justice one – that we are seeing the greatest impacts of climate change falling on those in the poorest nations of the world – those who have contributed the least to the problem.  That should be a great source of shame for those of us who live in the richest countries in the world.

What are your fears?

I think it is common these days to talk of the poly-crises that are coalescing around the world, including not only climate change, but growing inequities in wealth distribution, increasing incidence of warfare, the impact of AI and the power of the “techbros”, the rise of far Right-wing political parties and the threats to democracy. One of my greatest fears is that, as climate impacts increase and we see greater food insecurity, migrations of peoples, sea level rises etc., we will also see a growth of authoritarianism in response, as populations seek “strong leaders” to bring order to the chaos.  This would inevitably impact on our human rights, including the freedom of the media, the right to protest, and the freedom to dissent.  Indeed, I am concerned at some of the restrictions on free speech and the right to protest that we are seeing rolling out already.

I am also concerned that our climate may also be reaching, (if indeed it hasn’t already), some of the crucial “tipping points” which presage unstoppable and irreversible climate change.  Already we are seeing a slowing down of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) with a collapse of this system threatening major global weather systems.  The rapid deforestation of global rainforests and thawing of the permafrost in the Arctic regions are other warning signs.  I cannot believe that governments around the world can be so short-sighted (and cowardly) as to not be taking urgent actions to address these issues. 

What are your hopes?

My hopes and dreams always have something to do with working towards a world where all people are able to live in peace, with their basic needs met and their human rights respected, in a sustainable and protected world environment.  For this to be achieved, there is no doubt that the climate emergency needs to be addressed, because it seems to be the result of all that is wrong with the way the world is operating – over-consumption, reliance on dangerous sources of energy, enormous profits going to harmful industries and people, vested interests trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes about the truth. But as climate disasters get worse in both frequency and degree, and as more and more renewable energy alternatives roll out, I am hopeful that this will create a sea change in people’s thinking.  Already I think we are seeing that climate protests and actions are becoming more mainstream, and we are increasingly seeing pushback against the political and economic elites that have set up systems that have brought them enormous wealth and influence, at the expense of everyday people and the environment.  I referred to climate tipping points above, but I hope for another sort of tipping point, a point where people rise up in their millions to protect this precious world we share. I hope for that moment when, in words attributed to Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible – until it’s done”.

What actions are you taking?

I love the expression that was commonly used in the context of overseas aid and development work – Live Simply So That Others May Simply Live.  Such a principle is very applicable to climate action as well and I try to adopt it in my everyday living.  Car use can be minimised by combining as many jobs as I can in the one trip, and I source much of my clothing from op shops etc.  The early adoption of solar panels and solar hot water has served me well, and I try to utilise fans over air conditioning as much as possible.  I passionately love to travel, but have tried to cut back substantially on this given the damage to the environment of long air flights. And I hope my involvement with climate action groups, locally, nationally and even internationally through petitions, letter writing and phone calls to politicians etc., makes a difference. To be involved with local climate action groups such as XR and Ipswich Climate Action Group has been very significant to me.

What sustains you, gives you joy and motivates you?

“What did you do during the genocide in Gaza?”  This headline question from an article in the Guardian a few years ago really brought home to me the responsibility of each and every one of us for what is happening in our world, and for our considered response to events, especially those that harm others.  In modern capitalism, there are so many temptations towards living indulgent, hedonist lives, which are ultimately ruinous for the planet, and personally quite superficial and meaningless. Whether it is Gaza or the climate emergency, I think it is part of living a meaningful and significant life to participate in shaping our world towards more justice, compassion and sustainability. But against huge challenges like climate change, we can’t do this alone.  That is why joint action with others, such as Ipswich Climate Action Group, is so fulfilling and joyous. There is something inspirational in working with others against what seem like insurmountable odds, and I am constantly amazed at the commitment, creativity and resourcefulness that ICAG members demonstrate.  Whatever the outcome, we can at the very least say we have done our best to make a difference. (And outside of climate action, family, friends, movies, music and reading also help to keep me sane!