Global warming, as per a report by a guy named Hansen, is taking a dangerous shape at a rapid pace now. Due to warming waters, the animals in the oceans are migrating under water to find better habitats, many are dying. And many species on land are already on the verge of extinction. We may end up having a mass extinction phase soon, and it may have already begun. The future of life on earth would be totally different, and who knows, we humans may be gone too in this large scale wipe-out.
Should I be worried about it? Why should it matter to me as an individual that 100 years later, the species that I belong to may no longer be found on this planet? Or anywhere? As long as my lifetime is not at any big risk, should I be worried? But how to ensure that it is indeed safe until I'm alive? What if it is not? What if the probability of something conclusive happening next year is not 0? What if something pathbreaking happens in research and we find ways to keep ourselves alive for longer periods and escape natural death - and then be stuck with an earth that we screwed up thinking we'd die before it gets too bad? And what about my family? I don't want them, at least 1-2 generations after mine, to suffer after I die. The generations beyond are too far to worry about.
I think the risk that something might happen in the period of our concern - that's what makes us want to play safer than we'd otherwise do. But since this risk is not really proven and established, it's not that big a worry for most common people. Coz human behavior, as it seems to me right now, is not designed to make one really act on risks that won't materialize in his/her lifetime. Global warming is still a topic of scientific curiosity, and political and business interests. And for common people, it is entertainment and gossip, although while talking about it, they pretend to be seriously worried about something, which they themselves are not sure of. Until someone proves that global warming will kill us soon, adoption of counter measures, like moving away from oil, will still be driven by factors like convenience and style for the rich, affordability for the middle class, commercial viability for the businessmen, entertainment for passionate scientists, career for other scientists, and 'WTF?' for the poor.
This aspect of natural human behavior is understandable, given the kind of selfish instincts built into us by design to secure our individual existence and the all pervading fear of death. I don't know how those jihadis' minds are manipulated to want to die happlily for an outcome that they'll never see. Possibly it needs one to have a strong belief in life after death or reincarnation, and then some random chain of reasoning to guarantee incomparable luxury in that other life somehow linked to the cause they're dying for.
No wonder ban of pornographic movies, corruption, traffic, prices, jobs - these are more important for common people, than issues like global warming. But that is expected and justified coz to ensure a better future and design policies accordingly is the job of the leaders, theoretically. And in democracies, which most countries are today, common people 'elect' the right leaders to do this job by evaluating their relevant capabilities thoroughly, theoretically. Even in countries with other forms of governments, leaders are expected to have that kind of capabilities and wisdom, theoretically. But in reality, leaders are also human (and animal) and are driven by greed and selfish motives. And they are intelligent. If all were to die, the rich and powerful would die last. Well, I know there'll be exceptions, but let's talk majority.
So common people can only benefit from long term transformations pushed by people who are thinking right, and are also able to establish a reasonably strong and near term material benefit of working towards change - a business model - which in the current scenario won't emerge until there is mass adoption of the idea, which means the rich and middle class have to pick it up for whatever reasons. And as noted earlier, the factors driving them would be convenience and style for the rich and affordability for the middle class. Coz the former would help create the brand and social acceptability, while the latter would make it viable and help generate the desired impact.
Do post your views on it.
