Of Course We Need A Different World but What Exactly Does This Mean?

There can be a fair degree of consensus regarding what is most wrong with the present-day world. It is a world where war and conflict cause enormous distress, and in addition preparation of future war causes colossal waste of resources in the form of relentless, never-ending accumulation of weapons with ever-increasing capacity of destruction. Billions of dollars are wasted every year on creating this capacity of destruction which, if used more wisely and safely, can end all hunger, homelessness and deprivation. Already enough weapons of mass destruction exist to destroy almost all life on earth several times over but still the completely irrational destructive pursuit continues to take more and more sinister forms including moving towards preparations for space warfare. About a dozen serious environmental problems seriously endanger life on earth as also the basic life-nurturing conditions. An unacceptably high number of people suffer from hunger, homelessness and extreme forms of deprivation. Prevailing conditions of injustice and inequality also result in very high levels of economic difficulties for a very large number of people. High levels of social disintegration, alienation, depression, violence and self-violence in daily life every year cause enormous distress to increasing millions of people including children. Human actions lead to the greatest suffering, dangers and survival risks for other forms of life.

These prominent features of the existing world situation can lead to near consensus among all thoughtful and compassionate people of the world regarding the very strong and compelling need for a different world. Can a similar consensus be created around the idea of a different world needed today? At least a broad outline of the different world we need can be suggested.

In the present world situation it is of the greatest importance to end wars and the endless arms race. In particular all weapons of mass destruction should end now and for all future time. The idea of any single country on its own or with a few allies trying to dominate the world military, politically and economically should end and along with it the future of world being driven by great power rivalries should end. All differences among different countries have to be resolved on the basis of peaceful negotiations only. Along this the need for military expenditures will decrease greatly and about 1500 billion dollars a year may be released for reducing environmental problems and meeting the basic needs of all people worldwide.

There must be a continuing worldwide campaign centered in all educational institutions and communities regarding rebuilding a world based on peace, environment protection and sustainably meeting the basic needs of all people. This campaign should prioritize creating the knowledge systems and even more significantly the human values that are needed for a world based on peace, environment protection and justice.

For resolving environmental problems, the widely prevailing acquisitive and consumerists tendencies are a huge obstacle and instead the social values of frugality and voluntary acceptance of a simple life are needed. These social values should emphasize seeking happiness in good social relations and sharing rather than in endless pursuit of greed and luxury.

Resolving of all serious environmental problems and protection of all life forms should get very high priority. There should be special concern for ocean, rivers and all endangered life of ocean and rivers. Special areas of great environmental importance like Antarctica, the Arctic and the Himalayan regions should be very high on the line of priorities for environment protection. Reduction of greenhouse gases and fossil fuels is another top priority.

The objectives of ending hunger, homelessness and other serious forms of deprivation should get equally high priority and must remain on top of the agenda till achieved. Economic and social equality and justice must be advanced in a much bigger way.

There should be compassion towards all forms of life. Human consumption of meat should decline and the rearing (or hunting) of various animals for meat consumption should be reduced and also improved to reduce the suffering to animals and birds as well as health-hazards.

A lot more effort should go into improving social relationships at all levels (family, community, workplace etc.), based on closer and more compassionate relations, while ending all forms of discrimination. Women should get much higher respect. All discord based on religions should end with leading spiritual leaders from all parts of world contributing to this and emphasizing harmony among people of all religions.

This is a bare outline of the different world we need on which consensus can be created. Of course it is much more difficult to say how the toughest and most elusive decisions like eliminating wars and all weapons of mass destruction can be taken. There can be a big debate on whether such essential tasks can be accomplished on the basis of the existing world governing structures, also keeping in view the fact of the decline in the quality of world leadership and the growing distance of the world’s prominent leaders from the most essential tasks.

In my book ‘Earth without Borders’ I have raised several possibilities of alternative world governance structures that may be needed for some of the most essential tasks like ending all weapons of mass destruction and resolving the most serious environmental problems. However at a broader level it is important to emphasize the need for a big and broad-based, continuing, sustained mobilization of people worldwide on the most important issues of peace, justice and environment protection. In the middle of many worries and disappointments, the possibility and potential of such mobilization still remains a source of hope.

Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Protecting Earth for Children, Man over Machine, A Day in 2071 and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food.