Any serious attempt to halt global warming would involve a winding down of economic activity that relies on burning fossil and other carbon generating sources of energy. We’ve taken a small initial step in that direction through our attempts to stop the spread of Covid 19.
So is it time to pivot and focus on a future that’s in line with not trashing out our bio-sphere rather than being wholly occupied by Covid and the likely prospect of a “great leap backwards” to B.C. (Before Covid)?
Maybe we can expect an institutional onslaught built on notions of recreating conditions that approximate BC days. In terms of global warming, that would be incredibly stupid. To my mind, no less stupid that joining a cult dedicated to the worship of The Big Pangolin.
The Independent reported on a poll that found only 1 in 10 British people want to go back to what was. I find that encouraging. In looking for the link, I came across this second piece of reporting that
The government should be more radical and put in place serious policies to fight the climate crisis with the same urgency as it has to coronavirus, voters believe.
This is a one off opportunity – a once in a life time opportunity – and it’s up to us whether we grasp it or cede our future to ideas of yesterday that will be pushed by many a reactionary and/or institutional mind set.
Do you want to go back?
Perhaps you were so satisfied or contented with life and living three months ago that today only brings a deep sense of loss and a terrible psychological struggle? I think “probably not”.
So apart from on the obvious front of social contact, what is it that you actually miss from B.C.?
And what pleasant discoveries or realisations are these days of lock down revealing?
Given the choice, what are the things flowing from those two questions that you would like to preserve or build on after lock down, and what would you like to jettison or leave to rot in the dirt?
Please assume for the sake of this post that health officials are calling objective shots on the Covid 19 response and that politicians are neutrally managing economic responses in light of whatever results from those public health decisions. And leave all that to one side.
In other words, rather than thinking in terms of “how does or would this fit or work within, or be impacted by existing structures and systems as they are today or may be tomorrow” keep it simple and in the realm of the personal, aye?
We might be surprised at how much we share in common, and it’s simple common ground that will provide the solid foundation for any possible future constrained by the reality of global warming.
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