One way or the other, we’re facing a reality check
Over the years since 1945 there has been a marked decline in religious belief in developed countries as our standards of living have risen. For many, now there is no need to wait for the next life to realise heavenly benefits; “Heaven” has arrived on Earth.
Our planet is on the cusp of environmental collapse, as Ted Trainer observes, from our “blind obsession with affluence and growth” from “over-consumption and over-production”. We need major changes to global environmental management, and drastic lifestyle changes, to avoid the catastrophic crises foretold.
The “World Call to Action” from the Club of Rome and the Council for the Human Future Roundtable to address global poly-crises proposes that we can only manage the many global crises — climate, biodiversity, food insecurity, and more — by taking urgent global action. The Roundtable calls for an Earth Systems Treaty and an Earth Plan of Action as first steps to tackle these crises.
Will our global governments embrace these initiatives to prevent those crises cascading upon us, or will they cling to their “Heaven on Earth”, gorging on the ambrosia of excess consumption until our environment becomes unliveable and civilisation collapses? Either way we face a reality check.
Contributions to Pearls and Irritations
Your contribution will fund quality independent comment and analysis in Pearls and Irritations
Contribute
