Green issues becoming a priority
IT could be that within twenty years the electorate may well shift dramatically with respect to priorities; the environment being the key issue.
What’s the point of anything if we are living in a world so damaged that survival is at a premium? Therefore much that is prioritised at present with regard to political considerations may pale into insignificance.
According to Charles Darwin all forms of life compete to survive but even this theory-the survival of the fittest- is held against a backcloth of a nature generally undamaged by human intervention. But where this theory beats at the heart of political and economic life is with respect to our survival in the context of employment, trade and commerce: absolutely central to all who are dependent on earning a living. But just bear in mind. Economic and Social historians maintain that the first Industrial revolution, concerning primarily the large scale shift of employment from agrarian and rural life generally to the industries beginning to develop within the towns and cities, began in this country around 1750. So just consider the amount of damage done in such a brief amount of time between then and now in the context of the beginnings of civilization as we know it: truly alarming?
The dilemma revolves around the fact of trying to reconcile our engagement in earning a living with the planet’s natural resources and damage caused in such a relentless, though fundamentally necessary pursuit.
Nevertheless, what has made us refocus is climate change, even though awareness of it seems to be falling on deaf ears with respect to such economically influential countries the likes of the USA, China, Russia and India.
What has focused my attention more recently on the issue is not only the courageous stance taken by young Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg in challenging the hypocrisy of world leaders, but also Caroline Lucas of the Green Party. For me perhaps the most genuine, earnest and sincere politician of all who speaks nothing but sound common sense.
And I have to admit that I was completely taken aback by the margin of her victory on being elected MP for Brighton Pavilion: Greens 33,151; Lab 13,211; Cons 10,176. As such echoes of Old Testament prophecy come to mind for it’s not difficult to visualize these Green Party adherents in the context of a true “remnant”, and her personally,” like a voice crying in the wilderness.”
Finally then, as regards a new year’s resolution, perhaps we could all reflect on The Green Parties policies and take some practical measures of our own. So if we are at present “green with envy” at what others have- as regards more extravagant possessions- it may just be that we should all aim, as of old, for a more simplified style of life which invariably does less harm to the environment. In all then, I’m afraid, a very jeremiad outlook.
David