There is one animal
in the world that wantonly destroys its own life support system, casts its waste
around and poisons its own young?
This animal
also has the intelligence capacity to know what it is doing, yet continues in a
state of self-denial to live in such a destructive way?
The animal in
question is the human being. So much of the ongoing destruction of the planet
is due to humankind, which has developed an arrogant attitude toward the
natural world in which it dwells. No longer a partnership or stewardship but
simply an approach of attritional destruction.
The present
economic model, based on consumer based consumption is premised on burning up
the natural resources all around us. Ideas like preservation, recycling and
reusing are largely alien.
There has
been much science warning about the devastation being caused by humans but so
many retreat further behind their front doors, happier to remain in denial,
continuing to drive, fly, eat meat and thereby destroy the planet on which we
live.
The challenge
that humankind faces today is getting people out of the physical and virtual
silos, where so many choose reside and reconnecting with neighbours and the
wider community. Only then is there a chance of saving the planet.
There are
three areas where the human behaviour has brought particular destruction –
climate, biodiversity and pollution.
The recent
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that there are
12 years to effectively save the world.
The
scientists called for climate warming to be kept to 1.5 degrees or less, the
previous target set at the UN Paris agreement was 2 degrees.
Now the
scientists claim that 50% less of the world population will be subject to water
stress with the 1.5 degree warming, than the previous target.
If not halted
climate change will bring droughts, floods more wars and mass migrations to
name but a few consequences.
The revised
targets from the IPCC aim to see carbon emissions cut by 45% by 2030, going
down to zero by 2050. The previous target under the 2 degree warning was zero
by 2075.
The
recommendations of the IPCC is to move massively to renewable sources of
energy, leaving fossil fuels in the ground. Transport systems also have to be
hugely changed to zero emission technology.
The report is
very much aimed at governments, stressing that political will is needed if this
transformation is to be achieved. It can be but these measures need to be taken
in the next 12 years.
The outlook
ofcourse is not bright, with governments, like the British seemingly heading in
the opposite direction, with support for fracking. Also, Norway is moving to
explore for oil in the arctic, whilst Germany takes down forests to dig for
coal.
However, it
is up to the people to make sure that the politicians minds are changed.
A second
major area of devastation being caused by human behavious is pollution.
A recent report
from the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health found that 50,000 die each in
the UK due to pollution. A previous study by Kings College, London, found that
9,500 die each year in the capital alone.
Some 8.39% of
deaths in UK are pollution related.
The tragic case
of 9 yr old Ella Kissi Debrah, who died in 2013 from an asthma attack, that has
been linked to illegal levels of pollution, shows the human face of what is
happening.
One of the
most confounding elements about human behaviour is why when parents know what
pollution is doing to their children, they continue to drive to schools.
Some 30 or 40
years ago the mass of kids walked to school, why did that change? Partly
because we decided to ship kids all over the place, so that rather than go to
schools in their own catchment areas, they went miles away – involving multiple
journeys. This was all done in the name of choice.
However,
there are also no doubt plenty of parents who live short distances from the
schools, who still see a need to drive round to the schools. It is
unbelievable.
Action need
to be taken on pollution, with far more pedestrianisation. Diesel engines,
which cause much pollution, should be being taken off the roads.
There needs
to be a move toward walking, cycling and non-polluting public transport.
In London,
Mayor Sadiq Khan has set a target of 80% of journeys via these means by 2031.
More widely,
there needs to be a legally binding clean air act passed
The third
area of human related planetary devastation is biodiversity. Humanity is
burning the library of life.
The International
Union for the Conservation of Nature’s red list shows the existence of 25% of
mammals, 41% of amphibians and 13% of birds under threat.
Just take the
bird population, which have seen 80% of starlings, 60% of skylarks and 55% of yellowhammers
disappear in the past 40 years.
What is often
not understood is how crucial the biodiversity is to the life of the planet. If
one thing disappears it has huge knock on effects in terms of the network of
life. Indeed, it is this failure to recognise this co-existence and
co-dependence that has led to the human being behaving in such an irrational
destructive way.
Take bees,
which pollinate plants. A mural on a wall in London summarises the relationship
nicely. It has bees heading off into the background, declaring if we go, we’re
taking you with us.
In some ways
the loss of biodiversity is the most damaging contribution of human beings to
planetary destruction.
Climate
change is reversible, with the political will and requisite action. Once
biodiversity has gone, it is not coming back.
Among the
ways to contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity is to stop using things
like palm oil, soy, meat, leather and timber, all of which require land clearance.
We can also contribute by growing hedgerows, planting seeds, and creating
eco-friendly habitats. Non-destructive farming methods also need to be
encouraged - the pesticides used in farming over the past 50 years have
contributed hugely to the destruction of biodiversity.
The situation
is dire but not beyond saving.
The plastics
revolution shows the way.
The public
revolt resulting, when it became clear the damage being done across the world, has seen people moving to stop using plastic
altogether, not simply recycling it.
It marks a
significant move away from the consumption model mentioned earlier, a move
toward not creating the waste in the first place, rather than thinking all will
be well if I just act a little bit more responsibly with the waste product,
once used.
There
obviously needs to be the political will to address this crisis. The moves to
renewable energy and away from fossil fuels and the changes in transportation
modes need to be politically driven, so pressure needs to be exerted by the
citizens on their representatives.
Though, overall,
there needs to be a return to a simpler way of living, a backward step in some
respects. This would see less driving, less flying, use wholly of renewable
energy, insulating homes and workplaces, not building homes that are not zero
carbon emissions and eating less meat.
Key to this
all happening has to be a tap into community spirit. There is such a thing as
society, it has to be galvanised, getting people out of those front doors,
acting in community together. A move away from our present individualistic,
atomised world, toward a more communal, collective way of doing things.
In Wanstead,
east London, where I live and have just been elected as a Labour councillor, we
are endeavouring to address some of these challenges by creating an
environmental charter.
This will
focus on addressing climate change, bio-diversity and pollution.
We will be
looking at cleaner journeys, encouraging
more vegetation, using less plastics and creating less waste and having greener
homes.
The charter’s
creators will look for support from Redbridge Council, schools, local
businesses, civil society and individuals. All need to join in with the idea.
The idea is
at a formative stage at the moment but the initial public meeting, saw great
support expressed for taking the idea forward.
The council
have indicated that they could look to roll out similar initiatives across the
borough, if successful in Wanstead. And who knows beyond that.
The charter
is one way to help create that simpler more environmentally friendly way of
life. It should tap into that latent community spirit, bringing collective
action. It is though only one way of doing things but it is a start.
* Taken from a talk at the Building a Greener Future event in Wanstead on 25/10/2018
published in Morning Star - 20/11/2018
Wanstead & Woodford Guardian - 10/11/2018
Independent Catholic News