A Pragmatic, Practical And More Realistically Plausible, Strategic Approach To Solving Our Crises

I believe that we cannot solve a crisis without first resolving the root issues that plague it, i.e. solving it at the root level. But what is the root level? What is the root of all evil in the world? Well..

It is not just rapacious, corrupt and deceitful politicians running for "Blah, blah, blah" but it's also the big corps and billionaires, the big businesses, and the fossil fuel industry in particular. People say that this can't be solved because of our economic system is embedded in our current world order. Well, isn't that limited thinking?

It certainly seems so, because, it is a statement, and so it does not solve the problem. A problem cannot be solved with a statement that we tell ourselves. A statement closes the mind, while a question opens the mind, and that's precisely why we should ask questions.

Contrary to common belief, questions do not lead to answers, they are the answer; they are what trigger innovative, creative and unlimiting ideas and solutions. After all, as the Cameroon proverb reminds us:

"He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers"

Instead of just censuring politicians in a scathing manner and trying to denigrate anything they do, even if positive, mayhap it could be worth it for us to understand that the real culprits of this plethora of crises we're facing right now, including the climate -and environmental crisis, cannot be solved without politicians on our side.

We cannot afford to lose time trying to get politicians out and replace them with sane, human beings that truly care, in good-faith, about my generation's future. That's the reason that vindicates why we really cannot afford to lose the next 7 years 'fighting' politicians and trying to replace them. We have to be flexible and use what we have and what we've been given at the political level. For it is unlikely we cannot fight politicians, big corporations, the fossil fuel industry and it's pertaining lobbyists, climate change and misinformation ALL at once and win the battle in less than 7 years ( before expending our remaining 1.5 C CO2 budget).

So, we urgently need to realise that, if we were to have any chance of solving the climate and ecological crises, which are the most exigent and daunting challenges of our time -and in history of humanity-, then it may be useful and worthy to explore the viability and efficacy of being on good, but not too lenient or indulgent, terms with politicians.

In other words, call politicians out when they muck things up, (such as when Joe Biden gave the green light for more fossil fuel expansion, the willow project is a good example of that), but also, at least uplift their spirits with encouraging statements when they do something correctly or when they take a step in the right direction, and when they fail, we just continue doing what activists like Greta have been doing; chastise politicians relentlessly and slander and besmirch them and their reputation with scathing remarks. This has the potential to make climate action 'cool' , 'desirable' and 'a worthy endeavor' for the people in power to pursue. That may be the balance of activism that we need.

Being critical of politicians alone will not do the trick, its just a piece of the puzzle, climate strikes are another piece, but just like there's more to a 1000 piece puzzle than, for instance, just 650 pieces, there are more pieces to this quagmire of solving the climate and ecological crises than just traditional methods of activism. Can we control the grid from outside the grid, or do we have to get inside the grid to do so? Similarly, Can we change politics and the associated broken, oppressive and iniquitous economic system in time (within 7 years) without the help of honorable AND dishonorable politicians? That's a question is worth deep reflection and keen consideration.

We've seen the proof of this in the U.S., where the "Build Back Better" plan, which included tens of billions of dollars (if not more) to climate action and mitigation, didn't pass through Congress because of an atrociously rapacious politician called "Joe Manchin", whom, ironically enough, is a democrat.

So, this shows us, we can't just turn a blind eye to politicians' will or desires or whatever they want to do. We cannot give up on them, not because we love or support them or something, but because we so desperately NEED them. That is the bitter truth that most struggle, and ultimately fail, to accept. One might say that we could just get Joe Manchin and similarly corrupt and greedy politicians out of office in the next election, right?

No, no, no, not so fast! Here's the dangerous caveat and the achilles heel in any form of plan or strategy activists might have about solving the crisis through putting better, more competent and responsible politicians in power: Simply put, we ain't got no time for that. We've only got 7 YEARS left!!! We have to wake up, put our glory, honor, ego—whatever it may be that's inhibiting or preventing us from collaborating or at least try to negotiate or work with these politicians that we so unfortunately and urgently need—aside and just do the work.

Just imagine that the solution to a U.S. climate action bill is simply losing more time until the 2024 election and to throw him out of power, that would be insane, unwise and absurd, and a total squandering of our very limited time left to keep 1.5 C alive and within reach!

We have to try everything, because, if we don't do ALL that we can to save our future, we will have no future.