Public declarations of optimism are hard to find. But Sweta Chakraborty, CEO of We Don’t Have Time, does not hold back in her conversation with this Thinking the Unthinkable podcast.
“I’m convinced that . . . as a human species, we have overcome so many challenges in our existence and our time on earth. So we are going to overcome it. The issue is how quickly we’re going to do it, and how we’re going to reduce suffering: how much suffering. “
For Sweta, the positive path forward is already well underway. It is not driven by despair but by smart, strategic communication that encourages people to act.
“Humans are wired to respond to fear,” she explains. “If that’s what gets people’s attention, let’s lead with it, then give them concrete actions to take.”
She stresses that the missing piece in tackling the climate crisis is not technology. It is about mobilising public support and understanding. The information war is winnable.
How? Listen to Sweta’s powerful podcast.
“We know how to do it. It’s a matter of will now.” Even in a world full of complex headlines, from pandemics to climate disasters, fear can be a catalyst for meaningful engagement. Sweta says that based on her traiing as a behavioral scientist to PhD level.
She acknowldeges that many corporates remain cautious and silent in public. “There is fear in the private sector. There’s fear outside the private sector as well. The public sector does not – both the public and private sector – do not want targets on their back. They do not want the Trump administration to fixate and hurt their work and their effort.”
But don’t be put off. Reality is far more positive. Green hushing works. “We see this in fashion still. See this in agriculture, transportation. Those companies are still doing it. They’re just not talking about it as much.”
So ramping up the arguments and volume are crucial to change thinking at the scale and speed needed.
“We need a public groundswell of support for technologies to get us to adopting all the solutions that we already have. We need to use social science, behavioral science, not blame people, but make it easier for people to get behind solutions and to make the right decisions.”
And while technology will play its role, Sweta says the achievable challenge is winning hearts and minds:
“What’s been missing is communication based on how we know audiences perceive risk and respond to information… My magic wand for solving climate is just custom tailoring messaging in a way that gets that end audience member… driving them to some sort of behavioral outcome, some action.”
Sweta’s call to action is uplifting and simple:
“Do not blame yourselves… It’s easier than ever to get engaged and get involved. We Don’t Have Time is a free platform. You literally sign up, make a profile, start, join a campaign, join a movement, look up and see what’s happening locally in terms of climate action and get involved. It’s never been easier to take action.”
She explains to the TTU podcast that this is why We Don’t Have Time exists:
“It’s a communications platform to drive people to behavioral changes that are aligned to the reality of the climate science.”
Sweta Chakraborty
Sweta Chakraborty is a globally recognised climate behavioural scientist, known for translating complex science into actionable strategies for decision-makers. As CEO of We Don’t Have Time U.S., she drives public and private sector engagement to accelerate climate solutions at scale. With expertise in risk perception, science communication, and behavioural change, Sweta bridges the gap between scientific consensus and public understanding, helping leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity and purpose. Her work spans media, policy, and corporate advisory, making her a trusted voice in mobilising collective action toward a more resilient and equitable future.
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