Our common reckoning
Fifteen-year-old Greta Thunberg declared at last December’s U.N. climate meeting in Poland: “You only talk about moving forward with the same bad ideas that got us into this mess, even when the only sensible thing to do is pull the emergency brake.” Carbon-based energy systems, unsustainable exploitation of non-renewable natural resources, and poor governance have brought us to a precipice.
We hold our atmosphere, oceans and fresh water and a habitable earth, in common, not owned privately. Those global commons have gained heightened importance in our rapidly transforming world.
The disappearance of coral reefs, tropical forests, wildlife and even insects points towards an ecological catastrophe ahead. The scientific studies keep shortening the time frame towards devastating, irreversible climate change impacts – the latest estimate down to just 12 years.
We still have time and several promising developments at our disposal to address the looming crisis.
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