The pandemic is pointing to the increasing threat of extinction for not just animals, but humans if we do not wake up to the fact that the Earth is a living system where all life forms exist in an interconnected balance.
Humans have arrogantly plundered the Earth & tried to dominate for too many years rather than understanding this interconnection. Species naturally create an interconnected web and balance when not wiped out or artificially increased . ( The re-wilding project is interesting for regeneration).
A long term plan of centuries needs to be put in place – the first decade to incorporate a radical reappraising of how we live and what we value. To urgently make changes – to be a way shower for other economies.
This goal of regeneration of the Earth can be approached in numerous ways and indeed needs to be all encompassing. Some of my ideas include:
Money needs to be a truly reflective token –
The cost of pollution, resources and living pay must be incorporated in pricing if the monetary system is to continue to be central to society. Possibly the collapse of money could be the quickest way to value what is inherently fulfilling and sustainable in lifestyle.
What people need (not want) is truly possible with a different use of resources. Repair, reuse and sharing to become the norm. Sharing resources in communal ways : Pool cars, lending and sharing by more than one household of washing machines, garden machinery, etc
Air travel – a set number of miles issued to each person ( ration – sustainable quota) . People can sell or swap for other resources their quota to other people if they wish, but air flight & pollution is reduced & controlled.
Banning of chemicals that destroy the biodiversity of the living world . More small scale, permaculture, organic growing of food. Soil quality improvement. No more loss of land, trees. Better treatment of animals. More re-wilding projects ( see Isabella Tree’s results).
Buildings being updated for sustainability. No one having more than one home. Furniture, furnishings made to last and possibility of repair & reuse being incorporated into designs.
Using the media to inspire collaboration, educate and give hope of a better future – happier & healthier does not necessarily mean as much consumerism. Most well being information suggests the components do not include consumerism . Well being comes from learning, belonging, exercise, diet and managing stress.
Health education being implemented in schools. Ecological theory & the true meaning of economy to be taught in schools.
Able unemployed people to help in community projects – cleaning rivers, community growing projects, training others , etc – give them a sense of belonging, self esteem and opportunity for contribution.
Beauty and artistry inspires and fulfils the spirit and less then is more.
Encouragement of changing towns and cities to be inherently more inspiring and beautiful will engage inhabitants in its care, reduce desire to consume, give pride and collaborative focus . Increase community, localised support and collaboration.
( examples ideas : changing shops into reuse, repair, craft spaces, walled gardens, increasing food production areas – indoor & outdoor; in cities increasing community edible gardens; parks and green spaces being increased; bee keeping; community redecoration projects; pairing student and elderly – reduced rent for help ). Valuing of ways of living over what money can buy will also reduce crime as money will be less important.
Large scale production and organisation needs to over time be changed to smaller scale . The personal reward of seeing the result and knowing the people involved is a motivation and intrinsic value of smaller scale industry. Local means less travel, pollution and use of resource.
In the shorter term, first decade , a long term stage plan needs to immediately prioritise the most urgent issues and set up self organising groups of people to set these changes in action.
Covid has shown the capacity of the mass public to respond and care . Simply explain what needs to be done and see how people will respond with enthusiasm, focus and energy to be the change we need.
The time is now.
Nothing has ever been clearer – another few more decades in denial and we have no chance at all of making changes in time to address the long term ongoing survival of the inhabitants of the Earth.
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