The current state of policy is that the
focus is mainly upon limiting incremental growth of temperature. So far the
results have not been satisfying. There is a high probability that temperature
rise would exceed the 2 deg C cap fixed much earlier than 2100 and also the greenhouse
gas emissions budget is very likely to be exceeded within another 30 years. Hence
the implementation is tardy and the extreme climate events over the past few years,
the frequency and amplitude of which are increasing bear ample testimony to
that.
The present approaches are a set of
compromise formulations on how to curb climate change. There are far too many
climate skeptics and vested interests like big industry who are diluting and
thwarting the measures to be adopted. Hence now time has come to adopt bold
strategies. It’s possible the tipping point has been reached and mankind is
hurtling towards a certain apocalyptical climate crash. Hence there is an
urgent need for research on new integrated approaches which are antithetical to
all that we have deemed as human and technological progress so far which are
actually the very root causes of environmental degradation and climate change.
It will be a herculean task to get the major economic powers to agree on this
agenda.
The major indicators of economic growth,
progress and power are based upon higher levels and increases of mainly GDP,
industrial production, electricity, transportation and urbanization. Unless
there is dramatic cutback in these parameters there will be further
environmental degradation. The decision on cutting back all these parameters is
almost impossible now since the conditioning of humanity and society is so deeply
ingrained in wanting all modern comforts and amenities that anything inimical
to that will be unacceptable. Hence it is imperative that a totally innovative
approach based upon de-conditioning of humanity and back to nature policy is
adopted globally to save the planet and humanity from the ravages of climate in
the next few decades.
The key features of the innovative policy idea
being proposed both at the levels of individuals/society and
economies/Governments.
1.
Yoga
and similar practices like mindfulness, etc for all which will help leading
simple lives and curb dehumanisation. Counseling for reducing human needs.
2.
Psychological
counseling for all to cope with new lifestyles and give up pleasures of present
lives. Deconditioning, de-schooling, unlearning and yoga for leading simple
lives. Limit wealth accumulation. Ban in phased manner by 2020 of high energy
based urban lifestyles. New low energy technologies.
3.
Reduce
carbon emissions by 50% by 2020. Top polluting sectors electricity & heat,
industry and transportation which together constitute about 54% of total global
emissions to be targeted for even higher reductions since agriculture and
allied activities (about 14%) which are essential for human survival cannot be
expected to reduce their emissions much. This will entail downsizing or shutting
down several industries which are not integrally essential for human survival.
Along with this need for realignment of employment among low carbon emitting
sectors. Basic idea is that most industries are manufacturing products &
services which are not essential for human survival. Reduction of usage of air
conditioning, cars, refrigeration would be necessary for human survival. Hence
most of our need for higher incomes is for buying goods and services which are
not basic and essential.
4.
Reduce
inessential transportation and travel by 50% by 2020.
5.
Reduce
use of water and conservation of water. Scarcity of potable water a major
threat to humanity.
6.
Reduce
urbanisation. Move towards rural and nature. Strict imposition of green indices
for all residential, office and factory buildings.
7.
Reduce
deficit financing of all countries and high debt leveraging of individuals
(spawning consumerism).
8.
Population
reduction and maintaining balance between working and dependant population
ratios. Legalise euthanasia and unnecessary prolonging of life.
The
impact that the NGL innovative policy idea could have if adopted:
Impact
will be multifold. Change in individual mindsets so that human yearning for
high energy lifestyles is curbed. Once human wants and needs are reduced demand
for material wealth will decline and transition to simple lifestyles will be
easier. Simultaneously reduction of carbon emission by gradual downsizing shutting
down of high carbon emitting industries will have impact in retarding climate
change. Hence we tackle both demand and supply facets for carbon emission and
environment degradation. This is the best we can do now.
The
research approach needed to develop the idea:
Literature
reviews for working out alternative scenarios of climate change: worst case, best
case with present incremental approaches, and a most likely scenario by 2050
and 2100.
Simulate with climate specialists a scenario
if there could be massive 50% rollback of carbon emissions by 2020 along with radical
water usage reduction and conservation, population control, de-urbanisation,
etc outlined above. Find out impact on temperatures, sea level changes, poles
and glacier melting, etc by 2050 and 2100 and whether there could be reduction
of temperatures and extreme climate events.
Arrive at gaps between scenarios in 1 and 2
above.
Literature reviews and research on:
i. Rewinding human
lifestyles and society towards basic pre industrial, back to nature and small
is beautiful. Manifesto for new low carbon lifestyles and mass counseling
strategies.
ii. Rollback of GDPs based
upon de-industrialisation, low energy lifestyles, de-consumerism, re-employment
for those in downsized / shut down sectors/industries. Structural readjustment
of all economies both developed and developing in terms of sectors, inputs-outputs,
income-expenditure.
iii. Evolve alternative
integrated measures and indices of development in place of present GDP based
ones, which can factor human development index, climate and nature friendly
societies, de-conditioning, etc.
iv. Euthanasia and optimum
world population for maintaining steady state equilibrium of food, basic
requirements, nature and climate.
v. Evolve green metrics
for all communities, work places and production factories.
Present above findings to various segments of
societies (stratified random samples) and selected Governments in form of
summary reports and questionnaires to obtain their feedback and acceptance
levels.
Integrate feedback and research in order to
evolve most suitable strategies for New Grammar of Living.
Finalise
New Grammar of Living for implementation from 2016.