Climate crisis denial is increasingly being replaced by calls for climate doom. Let’s think. With the simplest game theory, who will benefit most in the short term?
The climate crisis is now beyond denial. Because people see its effects everywhere; above all lives. The climate issue should not be handed over to future generations. Instead, it stands out as a problem of today.
Political and economic systems lobbying for the continuation of the current system should take precautions. They need to prevent harsh actions that will mobilize people with a new discourse or transform the system against it. The solution is to call for a climate doom. This means saying that it is too late for everything. It implies that the measures to be taken will not work!
Some states and companies cause the greatest damage to the environment. They also fuel the climate crisis. They are developing new discourses to go to the heart of human psychology. Their aim is to keep this issue in the shadows. Ironically, one of them is doomism!
The starting point is simple. We trivialize individual responsibility in the face of this great disaster. We convince people that it is too late to do anything. This mindset creates a perfect environment of inertia for the continuation of the current order. What it feeds on is very basic human behavior; feeling of defeat, hopelessness and thus inaction…
Famous climate scientist, in his latest book ‘Our Fragile Moment’, Michael E Mann says that it is possible to curb the climate crisis. However, he faces major political obstacles. Mann states that our climate fate is still in the balance. There is very convincing evidence from the past. This evidence, combined with information from climate models, shows that we can preserve this fragile moment if we can keep warming below 1.5 degrees.
However, he emphasizes that the real issue is how bad we will allow this situation to get. He says the obstacles to keeping warming below catastrophic levels are political rather than physical, and the biggest hurdle is political agendas.
Not wrong. Look at the discussions in England. The government had initially planned to phase out diesel vehicles by 2030. However, it took a step back and postponed the issue to 2035. What is the situation of the countries in the energy shortage started with the Russia-Ukraine crisis? Germany, especially, clings to coal like old lovers.
Just governments? There are examples of similar hypocrisy everywhere.
Cop28, the UN’s largest climate summit, will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of November. The UAE is one of the most important players in oil and gas expansion in the world. Ironically, the president of COP28 is also the chief executive of Adnoc, the UAE’s state oil company! Is not it beautiful?
The solution is on us!
The feeling of hopelessness and defeat we experience in the face of calls for disaster prevents us from taking responsibility and taking action.
The political and economic agendas put before us are actually like walls built to make us sit aside rather than speaking out loud on these issues.
We are expected to make a choice between today’s living conditions and practices and tomorrow‘s possible healthier world for humanity. We should keep our mouths shut and stay away from what appears to be a ‘romantic’ and ‘idealist’ approach.
However, the solution really lies with us. Continuing to take responsibility is crucial. Acting with awareness of our individual power everywhere will, after a while, turn into a significant force. This will exert pressure that will keep even those who laugh at these issues in line.
Therefore, continue the struggle without despair…
Reading: ‘Our Fragile Moment’, Michael E Mann
Discover more from ActNow: In Humanity We Trust
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