If humans really get paralysed by fear, then we are an evolutionary dead end. I suspect that what leads to inaction is not despair, but selfish apathy on the part of wealthy folks who see zero reason to change their lifestyle; nor will they until disaster come to their home town.

"Climate anxiety is rising - it might be a good thing":

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63516055

As no nations of significant size are fulfilling their Paris COP pledges, I suspect that optimism is actually counterproductive. Why? It leads to complacency. In reality, neither doomerism nor optimism is of the slightest use. What we need is ACTION. By each of us and all of us. For our kids' sake. https://newptc75.medium.com/look-your-kids-in-the-eye-and-tell-them-out-loud-what-actions-you-personally-are-taking-to-e346196fda45