The Real Comprehensive Solution To The Climate And Ecological Crises

        Can we realistically solve a crisis without first taking care of the root causes of that crisis?

Activism and marches are imperative and vital, they raise people's awareness. But, activism alone is highly unlikely to yield success in less than 7 years, which is the time left for expending our remaining CO2 budget, and reaching 1.5 C. We need people from inside the political sphere, well-known and reputable people, and perhaps even billionaires to speak up and join the movement. It will give us a great deal of credibility amongst the masses. Additionally, they have the power to influence politicians and they have the responsibility to do something, thereby granting us the clout and influence and power that so eminently lack. Therefore any attempt to get the world below 1.5 C that does not take into account playing politicians' game and nudging them to action through doing that, is futile, in vain, ineffective and only raises awareness among certain people whom follow such reputable personalities like Greta Thunberg. Raising awareness requires what I call the "4 pillars 4 change & survival"

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The First Pillar Is: Politics.

To be realistic, it is unlikely that most politicians in the world would say or think to themselves "Oh! I wish that my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would live on a hellish, dystopian uninhabitable planet and suffer, and be traumatised, because I hate my descendants". Nobody in their right mind (which I accept, some politicians aren't) would think like that. So, this raises a natural question: Why on Earth do these politicians, especially in richer, more polluting countries, not take the necessary action to save the future of their children and grandchildren, when they are able to?

The answer: Simple, or perhaps not. When we put our preconceived notions and judgments aside, and begin to think as critical thinkers, we begin to understand and see things we couldn't see before, because our preconceived notions (which may be true) could our sense of critical thinking. We start to realize that no one is truly 'evil' and that these politicians are merely owned, controlled and guided (or should I say 'misguided') by two things; The first one is that they are mostly rapacious and greedy, they want to hang onto power. They care more about their short-term political future than the long-term survival of their own people, and more crucially to them, their own grandchildren.

The second reason or motive for them is; The fact that they are so selfish and irresponsibly childish, that they let fossil fuel industry lobbyists coax or sometimes even coerce them into sabotaging, forestalling, or undermining any legislative/ political action on climate in exchange for funding for their political campaigns. That is beyond evil, insane and ludicrous. And these politicians are not courageous, strong, righteous or wise enough to stand up to them. They are simply blinded by their vested interests.

This is important to know, because, you can't win a fight when you don't know who's the real offender. This is akin to a police officer coming to a crime scene, seeing two people, knowing who is the criminal/offender and still so brazenly simply apprehending or even shooting the wrong guy, and when that wrongfully arrested man informs the police that he had gotten the wrong guy, the police officer just tells him that he is the offender and that he "can tell that to the judge", and more weirdly still, when a witness from an apartment building tells the police officer that he has indeed really gotten the wrong guy, the officer so pertinaciously insists on apprehending that person, and therefore lets the real offender,  the true criminal get away as he is too busy trying to arrest the wrong man.

Now, the moral of this story isn't to imply not fighting the wrong people, (the wrongfully apprehended person will be let free in a short time as no evidence will be found to back any allegations or charges against him), but rather it is to imply that when we fight against -or apprehend- the wrong party or the wrong side, the true offender, -the real criminal- or culprit, gets away with what they did and no one holds them accountable, because they got someone else as a shield, as a smokescreen, to divert the law enforcement officer's attention (or in this case activists' and young people's attention and efforts) towards the wrong party.

To be clear, I'm not saying in any way, shape or form, that politicians are truly innocent or that they are as pure as the driven snow, as I said earlier, they are irresponsible, unwise and immature. They are so blatantly lying to us, especially in richer countries whom have the option and the ability to actually act on climate in an effective and comprehensive manner.

Those whom succumb to the incessant pestering, hounding and chivvying of fossil fuel industry lobbyists, should stand up for their people's and therefore, consequently, their children and grandchildren's, future. What politicians are doing is nothing but taking the bullet of blame just for the sake of not losing the funding from those nagging fossil fuel industry lobbyists. That is so cravenly expedient and unwise, but, that is what happens in the developed, rich industrialised countries, and the poorer, developing countries end up bearing the brunt of their actions, or, lack thereof.

We are fighting the wrong enemy: politicians are just a smokescreen, the real culprits are the bankers and big businesses, especially the fossil fuel industry, since they cannot adapt to a world without fossil fuel without changing their product line to renewable energy solutions.

That's why it is of utmost imperative that, we, young people and activists should and must redirect and refocus our attention and consolidate our efforts in a coordinated manner to fight the real culprits and the true offenders in this crisis.

For example, we could boycott these industries and people, so that we are not a partner in crime to these dishonorable, disgraceful and abhorrent game of the fossil fuel industry, associated politicians and other big businesses as well.

We could devise actionable and auspiciously strategic ways of promoting the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty; a proposition that has been propounded by many, but still has to bear any fruit.

Another reason within this very point is, that you simply don't win the most votes if you have the most radical climate action plan, and that is due to climate change being not so much on the priority list of a lot of people. So, educating people and raising their awareness about the repercussions or implications of climate change and what's at stake, is critical, but, that's another point completely which I'll delve into later on.

The Political and economic system is a perilous and idiotic abstract construct of the human imagination. Therefore, we should never let such a notion or construct either inhibit us, manacle our abilities or thwart our joint efforts to save humanity from extinction. It's either human survival or the precarious temporary survival of our broken, destructive, exploitative, abusive and atrociously dangerous capitalist system. Which is a perfect segue into our next point.

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The Second Point Or Pillar Is: The Scarcity-based Financial System

Our abusive, destructive and iniquitous broken economic system is the third main pillar. It favours the rich, it doesn't take into account much of the populace's needs, only the top 1%; and only really serves governments, the central banks, the stock market, and other economic institutions such as private and public banks, in a desperate, obsequious attempt to quell the insatiable interests and desires of the economic and political elite, which, leads to an impoverished, traumatised and suffering population, and ultimately, an unequal society and world.

They say that if you keep them (the people) busy with fighting for their immediate short-term needs, then they'll forget, or have no time, to contemplate or think about the future long-term threats looming over them. And because it is daunting and sorely agitating, people just don't even bother to think, confer or talk about these issues, they wanna talk about things that don't make them feel uncomfortable. They, don't wish to face or confront head-on issues that take them away from their comfort zone.

Our way of life, our capitalist consumerist society is unequivocally unsustainable and leaves no doubt at all that, it is indeed killing us and, if left unabated and unregulated, will be the cause of our civilization's demise and our species' extinction, along with countless other species whom are going extinct every single day, causing disruption and disharmony in nature and adversely affecting the food supply, topsoil capacity, nutritional value of food, and ecosystems etc.. If we decimate other species, mother Earth will avenge them. Let us beware of that, homosapiens!

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The Third Pillar is:

There is a grossly appalling lack of awareness among people, especially in countries that will bear the brunt of the crisis, (which is kind of ironic and ludicrous but also profoundly telling and saddening) therefore, we should raise their awareness in the most effective way possible. And here's the good news; activism works.. until.. it doesn't... you see, there are two main snags or obstacles that effectively render activism largely ineffective, especially in developing countries.

The first problem is that, not only are politicians reluctant to listen to activists and their demands about listening to the scientists and heeding their warnings, but the regular Joe, does not care about activists, or what they are doing for that matter, activists are perceived as being in their own niche, a bit like programmers, people go like 'ok, that's good forbad work', they simply pass on judgement without making the slightest attempt as understanding why these activists are risking arrest or event their lives, people simply watch on and do nothing; activists are irrelevant to most people in society. 

So, no amount of activism that we can reach within a reasonable timeframe is going to really make a dent in that. Most people just get their knowledge from other sources; they listen to the radio, T.V. ads, T.V. channels and programs, social media -obviously is increasingly becoming the biggest and most prominent factor in shaping people's minds-, and right now those very sources of information, the media and the news sources all over the internet are not really raising the awareness of people to a point at which virtually everyone becomes deeply concerned about their and their descendants' future in regards to the climate and ecological crisis. Right now, the media is too preoccupied with playing blaming-and-shaming, and maybe, even playing politics, too!

If we were to have any chance of bringing to the forefront, and amplifying, the demands, warnings and plans of the scientists, activists and the concerned public -especially young people-, of keeping the world under 1.5 C of warming and transitioning to a new sustainable way of living, on an individual level (which requires great levels of public awareness, that we're not getting because most people just get their knowledge from other sources, and not real, established science -and certainly not activists-, so when they see an activist, they applaud and acclaim them, and then they do virtually nothing), and on a broader economic scale, then, an entire overhaul or revamp of our broken economic system and a precipitous rise in public awareness, especially in those countries who are going to bear the brunt of the crisis, this will be required, imperative, and if successful, a game-changer. This is a life-or-death situation that is menacing, with ominous signs looming, and evincing the implications of our way of life; of exploiting the planet and it's resources.

But, it is of unimaginable importance that we realise that an exponential and substantial change in media, radio, social media and general public awareness on the level needed, cannot and will not be attainable in time without the help of governments, or people of mass following (PoMFs). That is the bitter truth.

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Fourth and Final Pillar is:The education system. 

Note: (I could write on the education system a whole article by itself, because it deserves it).

I think it is safe to call the education system "the root of all mindsets". It is the source that shapes and determines, to a substantial degree, people's understanding of how the world "should" work, their culture, their mindset, their experiences, their lack of awareness or knowledge about certain topics etc. But, what is of our interest now is changing the education system of the past—which is the same as that of the present—from having the aim or goal of training and raising people to become workers, ( essentially preparing them for the past, and not the future) and transforming it into a system that underscores the importance of life skills, human values and the fight for common good. How we could do this, is what can be debated. Though here are some ideas I’ve gleaned and developed lately, which may be of help:

Human Values

For starters, human values represent the "mindset" part of the tri-system; values like mutual respect, tolerance of others and common understanding, taking care of one another, forgiveness, humility, being sensitive and careful not to hurt anyone's feelings -because we wouldn't like it done to us and because the others are human beings that have feelings, too and are not cold-blooded robots-. We cannot realistically expect children and young people to grow up into compassionate adults who care about the planet and other species, unless we first instill in them care and compassion and love for other human beings.

Life Skills

Life skills comprise the second element of the new education system, representing the "methods" part of the tri-system.

A good and beneficent education system should prioritise,

• Social communication skills,

• Methods of not being afraid of change,

• How to stand up to bullies,

• How to navigate people,

• How to win people's hearts and make friends,

• Leadership skills,

• Teamwork skills,

• First-aid,

• Gardening and planting,

• Time-management skills,

• Money management skills,

• Stress-management and relaxation skills,

• How to fight the ANTs ( Automatic Negative Thoughts) that pop up in our minds,

• When to listen to our inner voice or gut feeling and when to just not allow emotions come into play,

• Anger management skills so that we are the ones in control of our emotions, and not the other way around,

• How to think, and how to not judge other people because, simply, we're not perfect ourselves,

• Critical thinking skills,

• Teaching basic business management skills,

• How to take nothing and no one for granted,

• Healthy and sustainable consumption of food,

• Etiquette and decorum,

• Global Warming with all it's pertaining topics including climate change and it's direct repercussions on the human civilization and our way of life,

• -Maybe even something bizarre or exotic like astronomy would not be such a bad idea-,

• Mental & Emotional health, as well as general Psychological knowledge to improve awareness of neuropsychological conditions, such as ADHD, ASD, OCD, etc..

• Teaching that the aim or goal of school is not about getting the highest grades, but about learning about how to navigate life, how to face life's challenges with grit, self-confidence and self-respect,

• The importance of self-talk,

• Reaching youngsters that failing an exam does not make you a failure or that you're never going to succeed or be good enough or smart enough,

• Reshaping and reprogramming children's and youngsters' mindsets to believe that they don't have to stay where they are and that they can choose to change their ways,

• Inculcating in them the fact that genius is made and not born,

• Instilling in them the notion that if you weren't good at something in the past, it doesn't mean that you're never going to be good at it in the future,

• The power of "yet", so instead of saying "I haven't passed the exam, I'm therefore a failure" students could be taught to change that limiting mindset and not listen to the voices in their head and say "I haven't succeeded... yet!".. because when they say that, they realise they are on a learning curve and that, with enough effort, they can get better at whatever they're tying to accomplish,

• That the human mind has no limitations, only the ones we impose upon ourselves,

• That nothing is impossible in life and that everything is impossible until it's done,

etc..

The list just goes on and on and on forever.

All of that helps tremendously in shaping the future adult portion of the population, if politicians really believed that children are the future, then they would've taken all of these vital, life-changing and crucial life skills into their consideration, those skills are just as important, if not more important, than the usual array of subjects that are currently being taught in all schools.

Striving for the Common good

The fight for the common good represents the "motivation" part of the tri-system and is simple and straightforward once the prior two are in place, because, we humans are already wired for benevolence, generosity and service.

We just need to be reminded of that and be taught how to use them, while cultivating and preserving a relatively non-judgemental, non-critical and encouraging environment that does not inhibit our natural values, wired tendencies and innate desires to do good in the world and help and be of service to others.

This is the motivation part because, it serves as the engine or impetus, as the push that impels us forward and keeps us motivated and in high spirits when we are in tough times and need something to keep us going. And the education system must focus on fostering that kind of self-motivation within youngsters, so that they would be self-compelled to preserve, uphold and espouse those very values and lessons enunciated hereinabove, that were instilled in them. After all, educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. The aim of education is to leave a person in a state where they are encouraged to continually be in the pursuit of asking questions and finding out answers, being curious.

The solution to the climate crisis is a multi faceted process. The climate crisis is like a puzzle, we can't expect to be able to solve it without having ALL the pieces tied together. And we need all of them, absolutely all of them! And that includes cutting emissions from agriculture by adopting sustainable farming practices, it includes switching to renewable ( and mayhap, fusion, when it is ready and a viable and practically feasible solution for energy generation) to meet our energy needs.

Also, it includes exponentially reducing our emissions from transportation, including the aviation industry, by switching to electric vehicles and buses, using biofuel for airplanes and stopping having tens of thousands of gas-guzzling, planet-destroying, soul-sucking, people-killing, taxpayer-dollars-funded military jets, planes and other form of aircraft used to kill people, etc.

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Final Component: The Glue that binds all of it together.

Lastly, we, as people, have a part to play, we should and must, significantly reduce our meat consumption, use bicycles or electric buses (depending on their availability in our country, state or neighbourhood) and travel less (especially, overseas, as that would require a flight), eat locally-produced food and educate people and raise awareness about the climate and ecological crisis.

If we did all that, then, and only then, it can be all but guaranteed, that we succeed in our cause, and we would be doing ourselves a great deal of favor; we would be, quite literally, saving the human race from extinction! And, that's how we save the human race by saving the very planet that supports it. Simple as that. It's not easy, but, attainable and very much feasible, IF, and only IF, we ALL come together to address the crisis, and work together as ONE species. WE ARE ONE! Hand in hand, we can overcome any crisis that threatens our very existence and long-term survival!

So, to recapitulate all of that, politicians are being inhibited by international pressures and diplomacy limitations; in other words, the 4 pillars of changing the world. Imprudent, hostile politics rife with grudges, disdain and contempt; Our broken economic system of the world, that just happens to be one of the most prominent and predominately influential factors in decision-making; public awareness; and the education system.

It seems unlikely and inauspicious for us to succeed in our endeavor, without;

• Tackling the major - and under-addressed - issue of fossil fuel industry lobbyists influencing and hounding politicians incessantly and pesteringly to not take decisive strides in climate action;

• Dismantling and overhauling our broken economic system so that it doesn't just benefit the rich, the stock market, the banks and the government, and so that it allows all people to take a breath of fresh air from economic or financial instability and perturbation, so that they can really get back to their senses and perceive what's really betiding on Earth;

• Raising awareness of the general public through public awareness campaigns i.e. radio programs, T.V., social media and newspapers along with formidable and revered celebrities from all industries including the movie-making and football industry etc...;

• And, last but not least, having a total and comprehensive revamp of the education system to raise children so that they are, aware of what is actually going on in the world, perceptive of what is to come and abreast of what is being done, what must be done and what they, as children, can do.

To make them informed about what is really transpiring, so as to supplement and support the public awareness campaign that's directed at the grown-up population.

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Closing Thoughts..

To be perfectly clear, any attempt to save humanity from extinction or save the planet from calamity will require these 4 pillars to be addressed first. "We can't solve a crisis without treating like a crisis" and we can't solve a crisis or any problem without addressing its root causes first.

This is how we can actually treat a crisis like a crisis, in a practical sense.

As Albert Einstein once wisely said "We can't solve our problems with the same level of thinking we used when we created them". And that, is how we truly solve a crisis, not by directing blame and fanning the flames of hate and division, not by just saying that politicians are the problem, for that won't suffice, that's not effective and that's not good enough.

Please, don't misunderstand me, I am in no way, shape or form defending politicians or saying that they're not guilty, I'm just articulating and positing better and more strategic ways and methods and tactics to be implemented, and quite the opposite actually, they are guilty.. guilty of succumbing to the pressures of being coerced/pestered by fossil fuel industry lobbyists.

But, again, as the saying goes "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me".

So, act accordingly, my dear environmental & climate movement. Act wisely!