Is anyone brave enough?

A ground-breaking new report from the Earth Commission has revealed that all of humanity could share a prosperous and equitable future but the chances of this happening are rapidly diminishing due to pressure from a wealthy minority of ultra-consumers.

The report concludes that what is required is a radical transformation to ensure resources are distributed more fairly, that there is a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and widespread adoption of low carbon technologies and lifestyles. In short, taxes for the very wealthy need to rise generating revenue for new technology and infrastructure.

The report contains nothing that should surprise but does starkly set out the implications for the most vulnerable populations if we persist on the current path citing the 1 billion people in India living on degraded land, the 200 million in China facing extreme heat and the 79 million in Brazil exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution.

The requirement for greater equality is the central theme of the report stating that ‘Limiting what is possible for some people opens possibilities for others’. Investing in public health, equality and democracy tends to cut consumption levels reducing emissions and having a largely positive impact on human well-being.

As the new UK government gets to grips with the legacy left by the previous administration revealing the decay within essential bodies such as the NHS and key infrastructure you would have thought that the report provides a timely, authoritative and compelling roadmap setting out a way to positively address many ailments. Unfortunately, early indications suggest that taking such bold steps are not within the policy playbook. Instead, the current narrative is focussed on the need for growth, taking tough decisions and limiting investment.

Is there any likelihood that the radical steps proposed by the report are likely to be followed, or is it doomed to be another ‘wake-up call’ destined to gather dust? If it is to become a catalyst for change several things need to happen.

Crucially the narrative around the requirement to cut carbon emissions needs to change linking it explicitly to the well-being of people and communities. This connection is still not made by most giving policymakers the opportunity to present it as a ‘this or that’ choice on where to invest.

Civil society needs to get smarter about the way it campaigns for progressive change. The complexity of the challenges we face requires systemic shifts of policy in a multitude of areas across different sectors. Current campaigns tend to be too siloed with many trying to generate their own airtime rather than address the bigger picture.

We need to see some practical and positive examples of what is possible if some of the report recommendations are introduced. There is scope for this to happen at a city or municipal level where there are opportunities for brave leaders to make a real impact.

The overarching message from the report is that we understand the scale of the problems, the solutions exist but time is rapidly running out. What is missing is brave leadership and that seems like a commodity currently in very short supply.