The huge problem from the big picture perspective, is that all government and economic policy, not just in the UK, but around the world, has gone so far from what is sustainable, that it's impossible to remedy, without massive radical change.
After the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, it was an opportunity, for governments to reset, and to start incrementally heading in a sustainable direction. Instead, they went in the opposite direction of extreme neoliberalism, solely focusing on economic growth.
The gap between where we need to be, and where we are actually at, has grown exponentially. It's gigantic. The whole system has headed so far in the wrong direction, that only the most massive and radical reset, would make sustainability possible.
3/
Essentially, a system is either sustainable, or it isn't sustainable. There is really no such thing as more sustainable, partly sustainable. Sustainable, means our society can be sustained over time, without there being ecologically induced collapse.
4/
The type of system, most vulnerable to collapse, is one predicated on growth. That's because as soon as that growth is obstructed, the whole system will go haywire. It's like a bike losing forward momentum. It needs forward momentum, to stay upright.
5/
To be told that the current system is unsustainable, as happened at the 1972 UN Environment Conference, and at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and then for government to press the pedal to the metal of unsustainability, is so reckless and stupid, to be unbelievable.
6/
The massive problem is, a huge unsustainable system has been built up, where everything in this unsustainable system, relies on everything else, within that system, and it's all unsustainable, heading towards eventual collapse.
7/
What I say, is so bleeding obvious, that I'm in shock and traumatized, by the need to say it. All the principles I outline, are understood in a 1001 other contexts. It's recognized when someone's lifestyle, a company is on a path, heading towards collapse, but not our system.
8/
So why can't all those in control of our system, in decision-making leadership positions, grasp, that you can't have infinite growth, in a finite world, and that in pursuing it, they are steering a course to global catastrophe?
9/
All I can think of, is there's really been awareness of this for a long time, and none of those in decision making positions, wants to be the little boy who has to stand up, and take responsibility, for saying the Emperor is naked, that we don't know what we're doing.
10/
This is all about living within the planetary boundaries @jrockstrom , or within the doughnut @KateRaworth. It really isn't a hard concept to grasp, but the denial of it by those in leadership positions, is bizarre and difficult to comprehend.
This false idea, that we have an option, which allows us to carry on as we are, until well into the future, is the biggest obstacle, to preventing the most awful catastrophe, the collapse of our civilization, driven by the climate and ecological crisis.
2/
I went through a phase of saying, okay, if people want to ignore the warnings, and try to carry on with business as usual. Let them try, and they will soon find they were very mistaken. But the consequences of this, are unthinkable. Mass starvation for much of the population.
3/
Whilst this is a generally good article by @fionaharvey reminding Labour, that they have to go much further, on Net Zero, and the protection of nature.
I don't think it is well understood, just how much further we need to go.
To achieve real Net Zero, and to reverse biodiversity loss, would require a profound and radical change of our system.
We need to be honest about this. Economic growth, capitalism, neoliberalism, any semblance of the modern system, is totally incompatible with sustainability.
2/
Before, there is any misinterpretation or misrepresentation of what I say, I must make it very clear, that nothing I say is ideological.
It is purely about balancing the ecological books, so our civilization can survive without collapsing.
3/
That this horrific orchestrated abuse scandal, was covered up for so long, until a year after Al Fayed, died at the age of 94, demonstrates how the extremely rich, totally corrupt and undermine our societies.
I have repeatedly explained in detail, why it is the very rich, corporate and vested interests, and the politicians in their pockets, who've obstructed attempts to address the climate and ecological crisis. This egotistical, and narcissistic minority, are a threat to humanity.
2/
A completely mistaken trope, talks about the need to persuade the public to get behind climate action. Yet, the public have been consistently voting for politicians who claim they are committed to addressing the climate crisis for over 32 years.
When I say addressing the climate and ecological crisis, was much bigger, and more discussed, in the 1990s, 1980s, or even 1990s, I am repeatedly, falsely accused of misremembering.
Here's I want to prove, why I am not misremembering.
Here was Tony Blair roasting the Americans on needing to do more to address the climate crisis in 1997, as UK PM. Blair made many grandstanding public speeches on the climate crisis. Here, randomly, is one from 20 years ago in 2004.
Somewhat oddly, Blair hardly ever mentions the climate crisis now, even though the impacts are becoming much bigger. He advises the Starmer government, which condemns climate activists, and which oversaw some being jailed for up to 5 years.
I think the reasons for this, is people take their cues from their leadership, and governments. They don't see governments, taking the climate crisis seriously, so figure the threat can't be that great.
Ironically, so called "leaders" and governments, are aware of this. 1/
The problem for leaders, governments, corporations, oligarchs etc, is that they know very well, once they are seen to take the climate crisis seriously, then the public will panic, and demand urgent action.
2/
The only way, leaders and governments, can effectively address the climate crisis, is with whole system change. This they don't want, because they know once they open this box, there is no turning back, and they will be swept along, by public demand.
3/
Just another reminder. There is a climate and ecological emergency, and if we don't act urgently, our civilization is heading towards collapse. This is an entirely avoidable catastrophe, but only if we act with urgency, now. It's not me saying that.
Yet, our governments are acting as if this crisis isn't real. Pursuing economic growth, which is what is driving this crisis. Opening up new fossil fuel reserves, and not taking this crisis, at all seriously.
CHANGE IS COMING WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT!
2/
This denial, because that is what it is, is truly frightening and bizarre. That our governments are so indifferent, to such a serious danger/threat.
We've left it so late, that "There are no non-radical futures." @KevinClimate