The idea of collective growth in terms of wealth and modernity has become a dystopian crisis today, and capitalism in the form of globalisation has led to a nationalist resurgence that is climate change denying in nature and extremely dangerous.
Authoritarian governments throw gas on the fire
The recent increase in authoritarian governments that appeal to many with their discourses of patriotism and ending migrant and commercial invasions from abroad are becoming ubiquitous and are destroying solidarity amongst populations.
“The world doesn’t belong to the globalisers, it belongs to the patriots!” claims Trump at the UN General Assembly. “The Amazon rainforest isn’t a world heritage site” proclaimed Bolsonaro at the very same meeting.
It seems like we’re trapped in an absurd competition between world leaders to see who can be the most macho, most patriotic, and the most protective of ‘their people’ at the expense of everyone else.
This defensive reaction is highly destructive and many are proposing radical actions to put an end to this crisis before it’s too late. Ideas such as post-capitalism, the green economy, circular economies, slow growth, degrowth, just ending the use of fossil fuels, clean energy and ecological transition... these are just a few of the proposals that have been discussed so far.
However, when all alarms are sounding, it would still appear that political will to take this crisis seriously is yet to manifest itself. Climate change deniers and large transnationals who wish to grow and accumulate more capital at any cost are gaining ground before divided world leaders and populations and the consequences could be devastating.
We need a plan
One thing is certain at this point: shortly, an important sector of the population will become aware of the seriousness of this catastrophe, and will begin to react and demand effective actions.
The Greta Thunberg phenomenon is in fact a symptom of the changes in consciousness of many, and the renovations that old environmental movements are experiencing in order to demand more governmental actions.
There’s little doubt that a global plan that goes beyond the Paris Accords and that depoliticises the debate beyond left and right ideology is necessary, and this plan should be honest and reflective in nature.