Imagine, if you will, this scenario. You are driving with your son. Going too fast, you fail to read the warning signals resulting in a crash which leaves your son gravely injured. The doctors do what they can and tell you that unless he has a series of expensive operations he will lead a greatly impaired life. At this point do you (a) refuse to believe the doctors, saying that your son will be fine without any operations; or (b) say to the doctors that you are willing to pay to save your son's eyes, but not his legs because you only want to give up 5% of your income; or (c) sell your house, get a second job and do whatever it takes to ensure your son has the best possible chance of a normal life?

It is hard to imagine any parent choosing anything other than option (c). Yet when it comes to climate change the public discourse is largely framed in terms of option (b), with a significant minority choosing option (a).

Climate change is upon us, and the human costs are being felt. The Global Humanitarian Forum, set up by Kofi Annan, estimates that each year climate change leaves 300,000 dead, 325 million people seriously affected and economic losses of US$125 billion. It is a silent crisis, mostly impacting the world's poorest who have contributed least to the problem. Rising temperatures mean, for example, that mosquitoes breed in higher altitude cities like Nairobi bringing malaria where it did not exist before. Extended drought and desertification in Darfur lead to conflict over scarce food and water resources.  See report here>>

A climate-change activist outside the Parliament of the World’s Religions meeting December 3-9 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo: Mike Lowe)The science of climate change has been known for at least 20 years. Despite the smokescreen of doubt thrown up by industry-funded climate sceptics, the overwhelming evidence is there for anyone who cares to look which shows that human activity is causing global warming. And the consequences of unchecked global warming will be dire for our children and grandchildren – oceans almost devoid of fish, the world’s great and historic coastal cities under water, constant and widespread famine, accompanied by frequent wars as humanity fights for access to food and water.

The failure, so far, of most nations to contemplate an all-out war on carbon emissions for the sake of our children's future cannot be blamed entirely on the fierce lobbying by the fossil fuel industry. It reflects a greatly reduced view of our responsibilities. The fate of the earth – with all its ancient and mysterious beauty, its fragile life-support systems for us and millions of species and future generations – is being negotiated by politicians, many of whom feel accountable only to their constituents and financial donors. It is a poker game where everyone keeps their cards close to their chests in the hope that someone else will pay more so that they can pay less.  

A new consciousness is needed: An awareness that we are part of a sacred web of life, dependent upon and responsible for the ecosystem that is planet earth. The world’s indigenous peoples understand this deeply. It is embedded in their cultural DNA. To them, the idea that we can own, trade and trash blocks of land is incomprehensible. The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth, and we have a responsibility to care for it for the sake of others and for future generations.  

Recognizing our interdependence, we need to build trust. Instead of the poker game, a spirit of open-hearted generosity and care with all cards on the table. Humanity has enough creativity and ingenuity to create a world that works for all, where all basic needs are met and success is measured by how we live and love rather than by what we have.

When our children and grandchildren look back on this crucial crossroads of human history, how will they judge us?  Will they despise us for our smallness and selfishness, or will they call us, with gratitude and affection ‘the greatest generation’.

See www.iofc.org/climate-change for more information.

NOTE: Individuals of many cultures, nationalities, religions, and beliefs are actively involved with Initiatives of Change. These commentaries represent the views of the writer and not necessarily those of Initiatives of Change as a whole.