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How ‘90s nostalgia became a climate crisis coping mechanism

As the climate crisis grows, people—especially Gen Z—are clinging to ‘90s nostalgia as a way to find comfort in an increasingly uncertain world.

Daphne Chouliaraki Milner reports for Atmos.

In short:

Nostalgia-driven trends like Y2K gadgets, retro fashion and old toys are resurging, driven by climate anxiety and a longing for stability.
Experts say this “nostalgiacore” offers emotional refuge, with tactile items and familiar aesthetics easing the psychological toll of crises.
However, the commodification of nostalgia risks perpetuating environmental harm through overconsumption and fast fashion.

Key quote:

“Whether people are doing it consciously or unconsciously, [nostalgiacore] is partly a form of yearning for temporary relief from the affective experience of living in dangerous and complicated times.”

— Britt Wray, director of Stanford’s CIRCLE initiative.

Why this matters:

Nostalgiacore reflects how climate anxiety affects mental health, especially for younger generations. This isn’t your average throwback—think of it as a cultural Band-Aid for the existential dread of the climate crisis. But here’s the kicker: while it might ease some mental stress, the trend can also fuel excessive consumption. It’s a bittersweet loop: a yearning for a simpler time, colliding with the modern challenges of sustainability. Read more: Paul R. Ehrlich: A pandemic, planetary reckoning, and a path forward.

atmos.earth

electric vehicle EV charging at a charging station.

Credit: Haberdoedas/Unsplash

New Trump administration rule weakens efforts to promote cleaner cars

The Trump administration just threw a wrench into Biden’s fuel efficiency plans, publishing a new rule that challenges how electric vehicles factor into federal standards.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

In short:

The U.S. Transportation Department issued a rule saying the Biden administration improperly used electric vehicles to calculate carmakers’ fuel economy standards.
While not eliminating Biden’s rules outright, the administration suggested it may not enforce them during its own rulemaking process, arguing the current standards are akin to an EV mandate.
The move undercuts one of Biden’s core climate strategies and could reduce pressure on automakers to improve efficiency — unless U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules, which Republicans are also trying to reverse, stay intact.

Why this matters:

Fuel efficiency rules are one of the federal government’s main tools to cut transportation emissions — the top source of greenhouse gases in the U.S. While this new rule doesn’t outright kill the fuel economy standards, it signals the administration likely won’t enforce them while it writes its own version.

Read the Full Article on

thehill.com

How ‘90s nostalgia became a climate crisis coping mechanism

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