| |
| JIM SCOTT |
|
|
Efforts to survive climate change by dictatorial force must be avoided at all costs. From an overview of the different forms that persuasion takes, I conclude that the reasoned scientific case cannot and has not produced the necessary action over the last 35 years; nor high-level conferences that are based upon it; nor the effects of weather-related disasters, protest marches, demonstrations or direct action.
Enlightened self-interest starts at the opposite end of the conceptual and political spectrum, with an objective of the highest order. This is to value the continuation of life itself above all else, including personal self-interest. The meanings of 'enlightened' and 'self' are re-examined, so as to be applicable in both eastern and western cultures.
The choice of this approach rests on the observation that efforts at technological and practical solutions and behaviour change alone cannot be effective, without transforming the habits, attitudes, motives, priorities and values that lie behind them. These all affect the decisions that governments and others do or do not take and act upon, particularly the critical need for 'political will'.
PREVIOUS WORK:
The approach has developed out my experience of founding and developing Save our World, writing a series of Boiling Point issues on our web-sites, culminating in two on the stated subject. My presentational skills derive from facilitating group work, campaigning, and many years of personal and spiritual development work.
|
|
|
