The ever insightful Naomi Klein gives her two cents on the Climate Change issue. The science is pretty galling. Whether you believe in anthropogenic climate change is really not the point. The issue is that there is a limit to what the earth can produce and we are right against that limit and the entire system is at breaking point. Yet, there is hope and in that hope lies an opportunity to re-imagine our systems in a way that serves people and planet. Contrary to popular belief this change does not mean missing out or not developing. I like to think of Emmanuel Kant’s essay titled “What is Englightenment?” when I think of this subject. The first paragraph is as follows:
Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-incurred immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one’s own understanding without the guidance of another. This immaturity is self-incurred if its cause is not lack of understanding, but lack of resolution and courage to use it without the guidance of another. The motto of enlightenment is therefore: Sapere aude! Have courage to use your own
understanding!
It feels like we, as a race, have taken many steps backwards, refusing to think for ourselves, acknowledge our impacts and to recognise our responsibilities as stewards of this planet – both towards people and the environment that allows us to thrive. There is a way out. What that looks like, I am not sure but it is going to be fun figuring it out.
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