Radical Sustainability: Reimagining Our Future for People and the Planet
President Macron coined the phrase “make the planet great again”, in response to President Trump’s call to “make America great again (MAGA)”. While I was at COP23, President Macron walked by the crowd. I shouted, “make the planet great again”. Immediately he turned and shook my hand. My claim to fame!
How can you help make the planet great again? Possible project types include:
- regenerating. Regenerate the oceans. Regenerate forests. Regenerate wetlands and soils. Regenerate our agricultural lands.
- reducing the planet’s degradation, these reduce the drivers of the climate crisis, such as fossil fuel combustion. Instead, use renewable energy and apply energy efficiency projects. Circular economy projects that use and re-use materials. Imagine no waste!
- benefitting more people. Projects that benefit those who have missed out so far in economic development. Projects that provide clean, affordable electricity, for example. Projects that provide safe drinking water for all. Projects without air pollution.
Why don’t you and I do this? Because the GDP-focused model prospers a few and leaves many behind. Why not choose one that is prosperous for all? The economy should prosper people, not penalize or hurt them. Why not ways of living and choices that allow people to thrive within our planetary boundaries? Maybe even making the planet thrive – again.
I propose a Radical Sustainability model that takes a real view of the world. The economy depends on people, who depend on the planet, which depends on what is beyond.
‘Theme of the Week” – What are you trying to protect?
