A Fresh Perspective on the Future of Humanity and the Earth

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENTFOOD1 week ago25 Views

Environmental sustainability researchers in the United Kingdom have developed a new framework for considering large-scale societal transformation in the face of the climate crisis. This concept is designed to assist policymakers in creating a comprehensive approach that will engage communities, restore nature, and expedite the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

In their paper, the authors introduce the idea of Regenerative Good Growth (RGG), which encompasses a form of growth that transcends mere profit, emphasizing the role of public engagement and individual agency in effecting change.

According to the researchers, for nearly a century, economists and politicians have viewed growth as the ultimate goal of policy. They refer to this prevailing narrative as “bad [GDP] growth,” as it often focuses solely on a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while neglecting other important measures such as quality of life, environmental health, and culture.

The authors argue that “bad growth” frequently entails hidden costs associated with economic activities that, when considered, negate the benefits of such growth. “Agriculture may seem beneficial, but when you include the costs of water, pollution, climate gases, and pesticide impacts on health, we find that the system can actually end up negative rather than positive,” says Jules Pretty, the study’s lead author, in an interview with Food Tank.

Conversely, RGG serves as a more holistic model that prioritizes five types of renewable capital: natural, human, social, cultural, and sustainable physical capital. Factors such as food security, community cohesion, biodiversity, arts and language, housing, and collective action are among those the authors suggest contribute to good growth. Pretty believes this perspective can help policymakers promote growth centered around human welfare and climate-friendly practices.

The paper suggests that quick action to combat the climate crisis requires policymakers to provide choices to the public. The authors utilize a 20-60-20 model of change, indicating that while 20 percent of individuals are uninterested in the climate crisis and 20 percent actively oppose it, the remaining 60 percent are concerned yet unsure of how to respond. The key to change lies in motivating this concerned but inactive majority to engage.

Rather than employing a top-down approach, Pretty and his co-authors stress the importance of offering options to facilitate this engagement, enabling individuals to feel involved in the solutions. In discussions with communities, he often presents a list of personal actions that can help reduce carbon emissions. “I tell people, ‘I bet there’s at least one thing on here you could do,’” he notes.

When communities become engaged, Pretty shares, they can exhibit remarkable creativity. He cites examples of farmers transitioning to regenerative agriculture or villages embracing solar power. “I’m quite optimistic. It’s not confined to individuals with specific political views,” he says.

Storytelling plays a critical role in garnering public support, according to the paper. “Stories act as rehearsals for transformations,” Pretty explains. “They don’t dictate action but instead invite reflection, asking, ‘Here’s a story. What do you think about it?’” Stories provide a pathway for individuals to navigate their own choices, he adds.

Moreover, stories are essential in fostering honesty and vulnerability between policymakers and experts. “We may be knowledgeable in certain areas, but can we also openly acknowledge what we don’t know and express vulnerability?” Pretty articulates. “The effort to appear perfect often hampers public engagement.”

According to the paper, it is the sharing of stories, successes, and vulnerability that will facilitate the involvement of the concerned but inactive 60 percent.

“We aim to create a connected web,” Pretty conveys. “This encapsulates our understanding of the world, and I believe stories illustrate how we can achieve these goals.”

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Photo courtesy of Zoe Richardson, Unsplash

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