We listen to climate scientists, we look at the response of government and society, and we are led to the following conclusions:
- Climate breakdown is unavoidable. Humans have already emitted so much greenhouse gas that a global average temperature rise of 3C is now predicted by some of the leading climate scientists. This kind of increase will threaten our food and water supplies and massively increase the destruction of property and life caused by storms, flooding and fires. It is likely to lead to a collapse of society as we have always known it. What’s more, due to the risk of tipping points, the temperature could rise much higher and the very survival of human beings would be in doubt.
- The government is incapable of protecting us. Our political and economic systems are so entrenched in short-termism and a pre-occupation with money that they are unable to deal with the problems the climate and ecological emergencies present. Politicians are obsessed with ‘growth’ and don’t seem to see beyond the framework of neoliberal economics. They are heavily influenced by big, polluting corporations. They are constantly hamstrung by the thought of trying to win the next election. They have already allowed greenhouse gas emissions to rise to a dangerous level.
- Therefore, we need to take what steps we can to reduce the harm we’re inflicting on the planet, and we need to start preparing our local communities for the radical changes that are coming. No-one is coming to save us, so we have to save ourselves. That means embracing the Circular Economy locally, growing food sustainably,and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. It means building local resilience so that the impacts hit less hard and we know what to do when disaster strikes. So when the supermarkets run low on food, or the drinking water in our taps gets contaminated, or half the town is flooded, we know what to do, we know what alternative supplies there are, and we know where to get help.
The Vision
Despite the ravages we’ve perpetrated on this planet a brighter future is possible. It’s a future with cleaner air, cleaner water and quieter streets. A future where we are truly connected to our neighbours and our neighbourhood, with a satisfying sense of belonging. A future where we treat natural resources with respect and humility. A future where we are freed from the artificial bonds of modern society and can reach a state of actual contentment, a state where our actual physical and psychological needs are met, rather than perpetually striving in vain for fulfilment from a system entirely at odds with what we need. A future where we can be happy.
What might that look like? Try to use your own imagination because it may well be better than ours! But it might include:
A system of electrified public transport that provides convenient, free and easy travel to anywhere you need to go. Streets filled not with cars and lorries but with grass and trees and bushes, children playing and food growing.
Local neighbourhood hubs every half-mile or so, providing facilities for re-use and repair, workshops providing training and jobs and products, a shop selling locally-grown foodstuffs and goods, and a place to gather and sing or read or dance or do whatever else takes our fancy.
Permaculture fields dedicated to growing the food we need to survive with minimal disruption to nature.
Houses made safe from storms and extremes of heat and cold, powered by wind and sun and heavily insulated.
How do we get to that point?
First off, we all need to understand as much as possible about the causes, features and risks of the various aspects of climate and nature collapse. The Expand Your Knowledge section of this site is intended to be a first step towards this.
Second, we need to stop making things worse. That means taking whatever actions we can at individual, community, national and international levels to reduce carbon emissions and the destruction of the natural world. See the Stop The Harm section for ways to go about this.
Third, we need to start building local networks to protect ourselves from the worst outcomes. Prepare For The Futureexplains how we might go about that, and has information on the projects we’re running locally that we hope are a step in the right direction.