Climate Change – A New Narrative

The world is yet again looking at Durban, a coastal city in South Africa as UNFCCC is meeting for COP17. Looking, yet not expecting much. The world is expecting things to change and doubting it too.

Climate Change and how we deal with it is an ongoing story. It started with a doubt and continuing with doubts.

Doubt 1. Climate Change? Is it happening really? We cannot look outside our windows and see it. We moved on. I guess nobody seriously doubts Climate Change and our responsibility in its causes.

Doubt 2. Ok it is happening. But is the effect serious? Maybe it’s some weird scientists and environuts spinning a story and trying to take away my iPod, swimming pool, expensive cars and trying to make me shameful for my wealth. There is such volumes of evidence in support of our monstrous interactions with nature, such aggressive consumptiona and it’s undeniable effect on our biosphere that one needs to be seriously gullible to ignore it anymore.

Doubt 3. Ok. It’s happening and sure man is responsible. But it’s inevitable. Man’s basic nature is destructive. His history is that of a plunderer, a cruel, cunning, greedy animal. Reference? Wars, exploitation, aggression – libraryful of that. So wahtever we do, we are doomed.

Corollary: Since nothing can stop this downward journey, let’s watch a movie, drink a beer and go about with life. Business as usual.

However, this is not entirely true.

We have a new narrative. Or very close.

For example:

1. Poor do not need the ‘help’ or ‘charity’ from rich. Rich need to be smart to see it as an oppertunity to be a part of the grand sucess stories that are happening in Africa and Asia.

2. Compassion and caring are in-built qualities in humans just like many vices. The changing world is now offering us to be more human, to love, care and take part in whichever way we can make a difference.

Jessica Jackley’s tears cannot be faked. See how she became the part of this new narrative.

This is resource re-distribution at it’s best.

3. We can innovate, each one us and make a difference. Even a Chef. See Barton Seaver’s proposal for a sustainable sea food.

 I can go on and on. These are good news. Positive news. News that say we can make it.

If you watched the videos, I have a question to you. How many do you think were present in the audience of each speaker? Let’s make a guess. 100. Let’s take 20% of the audience take the speakers seriously. That’s 20 people. If they start doing things creatively and start telling their stories to 20 people each every month, it will take a few months for the world full of people each of whom are active agents of change. Junior school maths.

It is possible.

Feature Image Credit: Panos.org

1 Comment

• 
  Jim Moonan October 6, 2012 at 5:21 am

  I get an education in sensibility from your website “Pabitra Speaks”. Thanks for that.

  Reply

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