Our System is failing us
Von Chloe Begg
Today we are faced with a problem. This is a problem that exceeds our experience and cannot be addressed using past methods of developing solutions. This problem threatens our very existence. This problem was created by us and affects all living systems. These systems are interlinked and depend on each other for survival. We, humans have disrupted this balance and although we are powerful enough to do that, we do not have the knowledge of what this means for the environment and what the outcome might be. The problem being alluded to here is, of course, climate change.
How far do we have to go on our quest for wealth before we realise our methods will potentially be our end. As we take from the earth all its oil and minerals and tonnes of locked up carbon and throw it up into the atmosphere affecting the clean air that we need for our health and our survival. As we pump what we don’t want anymore into rivers and lakes, and eventually the sea infecting our clean drinking water and our fisheries. As the divide between rich and poor widens. As the soil becomes more and more degraded. As we chop down more and more trees. When will we stop and ask ourselves, what is the point?
Our system is failing us. We have to ask ourselves, do we want this? Do we think that it is right to live in a world with polluted air and water? Do we think that it is fair that 2% of the worlds population holds the worlds entire wealth? Do we think that it is fair that the sea is rising and will cause millions to be homeless? Do we think that unchecked destruction is fair to all the billions of other species that inhabit the earth?
To step back and think about these issues, to really consider them makes the world that we live on seem a crazy place. Why would any rational being willingly do this to themselves, to others? Is it really worth that much?
If your answer is no to all of these above questions then your next step should be; what next?
Focusing on the market and the process of demand to fix the problem moves the responsibility away from governments. Governments don’t want to make the hard decisions because it may make them look unfavourable and lets face it, governments goals are so short-term that it makes it hard to enforce long-term initiatives.
This is why the problem can’t be addressed by our normal way of solving problems. As Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. We have to put sustainability issues at the forefront of all agendas. If we don’t we have a lot more to loose than if we do.
We need to work together and with ourselves to fundamentally turn these questions around. It is possible and it is necessary. It is a purpose and a damn good reason for fighting.
You just have to decide what is more important.
