Key Viewpoint on Sustainability: Words from a Wise Man
American environmental lawyer Gus Speth is so right.
The things that are taking our civilization down aren’t slow Internet speeds, imprecise PET scans, or the levelized cost of energy associated with solar and wind energy. With today’s technology we are living longer, healthier and more convenient lives as each year passes.
What’s creating every form of mass suffering on this planet has nothing to do with using science to improve the quality of our existence. War, hunger, ignorance, poor working conditions, cruel treatment of asylum-seekers, environmental degradation and the rest all stem from one fact: too many of us are not willing to make even tiny sacrifices in our own lives in order to improve conditions for everyone.
Imagine a culture where people gladly pay significantly higher taxes, knowing that doing so means averting hunger, dirty water and air, homelessness, lousy education, and rationed healthcare. Actually, don’t imagine it; just look at many of the countries in Europe and Scandinavia.
We have everything we need to address the existential threats against human society; we just need to become more civilized and broad-minded in the way we conduct ourselves.
Craig,
Oh woe, we’re all such selfish, miserable sinners! If only we were more like,…..(fill in paragon of choice)…..
What we all really need is a really sanctimonious sermon from a modern day hypocrite like Pete Seeger, and a rousing chorus of “Kumbaya”. Perhaps at a vegan folk festival where in a orgy of self-loathing we could all align our crystals and aura’s to the cosmic universe.
Really Craig, that’s really your answer? I don’t wish yo sound cynical, but with all the exciting developments occurring in the worlds of Cclean(er) technology and environmental progress. is that the best you offer?
It’s a wonderful world, full of exciting new solutions offered by the ingenuity of human spirit, innovations and ingenuity. Forget such gloomy thoughts and resume exploring the positive around you !
Take a day trip to the Tesla factory, or better still buy a Tesla ! There’s a whole world of positive people enthusiastic pushing back the borders of the previously thought impossible in new tech. Don’t sit in moody contemplation of the world’s ills, nothing will grow from that except a delusion of self-righteousness.
Tomorrow I will be back in the UK, where I will attend a number of conferences in preparation for Brexit. Exciting times! The UK will once again be free to reach out to the world and participate in shaping our own destiny.
No matter how hard the road, it will at least be our road.
Cheer up! In the words of Sir Austen Chamberlain, “May We Live in Interesting Times”!