Money won’t...

responsibilities.

In other words, we are faced with the polluter-pays syndrome, like the carbon tax. If I pay a financial tax, then I am buying myself a right not to change my attitude. This concept is similar to that of the 16th-century trade in indulgences of the Roman Catholic Church. We tend to react emotionally by choosing a compensatory solution that exempts us from assuming our responsibilities.

By limiting itself to compensation through reparation and not prevention through awareness and the adoption of appropriate regulations, classical philanthropy appears to be an incompatible response to the problems caused by the climate crisis. Designed to extinguish the flames, giving is in fact stifling another fire: that of human responsibility in the face of climate change and major social inequalities.

Supporting an unsustainable economy

At the height of the crisis, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to make a donation to help Australia as a gesture of solidarity. This in itself may seem appropriate.

However, is it the role of politics to appeal to the general public to fill the gaps in a collapsing global economic system? Shouldn’t it rather propose a revision of our way of life and our relationship with nature? Or listen to the public, especially young people, who are demanding profound changes in our relationship with the environment? Where are the responsible policies, norms and regulations consistent with the international solidarity demonstrated by the mobilizations for Australia?

To meet the great ecological challenge, political decisionmakers will have to show courage in proposing and supporting the necessary changes. In this way, it will be possible to reconcile emergency philanthropy with philanthropy for social change, combining financial donations with responsible action. This shift in perspective must happen now. It is imperative.

For example, both Australia and Canada can do better in protecting their natural heritage. Australia has the largest number of endangered, natural or mixed sites, yet does not have many philanthropic foundations (only 5,000). The old colonial habits of reselling the resources on which the country was built, such as mining or extraction activities, are still very much present today.

Although Australia does not make every effort to preserve its natural heritage, it is nonetheless part of the global balance of the planet. Like the international institutions that have set themselves the mission of operating within the framework of a common humanity in order to enable the deployment of a common dignity, philanthropy has a duty to adapt to challenges and struggles that go beyond the charitable dimension.

We have a responsibility to preserve the world’s heritage. On this point, philanthropy can help, provided that it is defined and presented as a civic tool at the service of sustainable changes to be made and not as a gesture carrying a magical thought. The idea is not to slow down this solidarity that gives hope in times of crisis. However, the particular nature of the Australian disaster requires a frank and critical reflection in relation to spontaneous philanthropic movements. ■

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