13th December 2024

Crisis of evolution, change or fail

Warnings do not come sterner than this... the climate crisis is here

There are no none-radical solutions left

As climate change increasingly exacerbates extreme weather events around the globe, so government leaders are increasingly using the language of a “climate emergency”. But look beyond the fine words, and it is quickly evident that behind the relatively recent framing of ‘net zero’, many governments, companies and institutions are planning for little more than incremental adjustments to business-as-usual. But “nature will not be fooled” by empty rhetoric, subterfuge and unsubstantiated optimism – and nor should we.

The challenges we face in delivering on our Paris climate commitments beg fundamental questions of almost every facet of modern society.

This presentation will seek to lay bare the sheer scale, scope and urgency of emission cuts now required to meet our Paris climate commitments. It will conclude by offering an outline of the key characteristics delivering on such commitments needs to entail. Please note, for those with a more sensitive disposition, this is very much a “red pill” presentation.

Tipping points and mobilisation

“The next 10 years must see the biggest transformation the world has ever known”

Prof Johan Rokstrom (in 2020)

  • Rule number one, stop polluting. There are no solutions or responses to the climate crisis that don’t include abandoning fossil fuels.

A trillion trees project

Watching this video makes me think that there needs to be a similar joined-up message and response to food and livelihood security through permaculture. A global response, locally focused and distributed across a multinucleic mycelium-like network that allows the system to mutate, evolve, and learn. Each community and every individual within have their own part to play, uniquely and specifically. The world must transform itself. Nothing less than that will suffice. A billion small farmers, refugees, and those on the urban fringe might just create a tidal wave and show many potential ways forward to build resilience and adapt to the rapidly changing situation around us.

Extinction rebellion: Advice to young people

What might a radical permaculture response look like?

It would have to be something that can spread very quickly and create a shift in perception, a new way of seeing the world.