Amid a steady stream of news about extreme temperatures and natural disasters, Melissa Fifield, the head of the BMO Climate Institute, distinguishes between being optimistic about climate change and having hope. 

"Being optimistic about climate change is believing the status quo will somehow, in some way, lead to the best outcome. Just sit back and watch," she says. "By contrast, being hopeful means that even though the future isn't clear, we can help shape it with practical actions and good partnerships with the right kind of organizations."

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