The Quiet Majority Behind the Green Transition
- Endre Papp
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 12
It might feel like we’re living in a paradox. Climate warnings have never been more urgent, yet public conversations and policy decisions often seem disengaged, even regressive. Across social media, talk shows, and opinion columns, a new narrative is taking shape, one that questions whether the green transition has lost momentum, whether climate solutions are still profitable, or whether public support has truly evaporated.
But here’s the truth: the reality is very different from the narrative. And the numbers prove it.
The Green Transition Hasn't Failed - It’s Just Quieter Than the Noise
While short-term metrics, like a dip in EV sales or political pushback on climate regulation, dominate headlines, the structural transformation is not just ongoing, it’s accelerating.
In 2025 alone, clean energy and transportation investment in the U.S. reached $67.3 billion in Q1, up nearly 7% from last year. Globally, $2.2 trillion will be spent on clean tech in 2025, more than double the investment in fossil fuels. Venture capital, too, is aligned: early-stage innovation in battery storage, AI-powered grid tech, and sustainable infrastructure continues to attract billions.
These are not the actions of a dying movement. They are the footprints of long-term confidence—capital being placed where the future is heading, not where the past is stuck.
Public Support Is Higher Than You Think
At the heart of the misunderstanding lies a deeper social bias: we systematically underestimate how much others care about climate change.
A sweeping global study across 125 countries in 2025 found that:
89% of people want stronger climate action from their governments
86% believe global cooperation is essential
69% would even contribute 1% of their income to solve the problem
But when asked how many others they believe would do the same, people estimated only 43%.
This gap between reality and perception is what social scientists call pluralistic ignorance. We stay silent because we wrongly assume we’re alone in our concern.
And this silence creates a loop. If individuals don’t speak up, politicians don’t hear support. If policymakers assume voters don’t care, they act accordingly. The result is a false reality: one where action seems unsupported, when, in fact, the opposite is true.
Politicians Are Behind the Curve
In some of the world’s most influential economies, elected officials are grossly underestimating their constituents’ appetite for bold climate policy. In the UK, for instance, 72% of people support onshore wind, but most MPs estimate that number at just 19%.
This disconnect isn't trivial—it shapes legislation, investment signals, and media discourse. It also gives rise to a dangerous illusion: that green policy is politically toxic. When in reality, voters—across income levels, geographies, and even political divides—want action.
Investors and Leaders Haven’t Given Up—They’re Digging In
The idea that sustainable business is no longer viable doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. From Silicon Valley to sovereign wealth funds, green tech remains one of the most attractive investment frontiers. Even amid regulatory uncertainty, renewable energy projects, battery innovations, and low-carbon logistics continue to outperform.
A surge in clean energy spending is expected to drive a record $3.3 trillion (2.89 trillion euros) in global energy investment in 2025, despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions - according to the International Energy Agency (IEA)
Major corporates are doubling down on decarbonization targets, driven not by PR pressure but by long-term economics and risk management.
A Turning Point—If We Make It One
Yes, public debate can feel hijacked. But the data tells a more hopeful story:
The money is still moving toward the green transition
The people still support action
The technology continues to mature
And most importantly: you are not alone.
The challenge isn’t a lack of belief—it’s a lack of visibility. The more we share about our climate-conscious actions, the more this silent majority becomes a visible force. And the faster we break the cycle of perceived inaction.
The Road Ahead
The path to a sustainable future isn’t always linear. It’s shaped by peaks of hype, troughs of disillusionment, and steady compounding growth, just as the Gartner Hype Cycle predicts.
But the fundamentals remain intact: climate technology is profitable. Public opinion is strong.
The momentum is irreversible.
Sources:
Cover photo: Xavi Bou (https://xavibou.com/)
