Nelson Mandela stood for something. Against constant attacks from world powers like the US and UK which labeled him a terrorist, and against the leaders of his own country, he stood for equality of opportunity for all people. From his fight, and even more from his forgiveness for those who imprisoned and oppressed him, those of us still fighting to remove obstacles to equality can find many examples of how to continue on in our own fight. In his excellent recent article in Grist, Brentin Mock pointed out Mandela's connection to the climate fight. As we approach perhaps the most important decade of our work to create a world that respects high quality of life for all, we can approach our fight in the following way:
1. Remain steady even against the harshest critics.
In the 1980s, two of the world's superpowers, the US and UK, labeled Mandela a terrorist and predicted that any shift in political power with Mandela as leader would result in mass retribution and bloodshed. Even though the US Congress followed through on sanctions against Reagan's pleadings, Mandela still had not yet found favor in the West. This did not deter him.
In our struggle, large government and corporate interests still battle against the proven science, and now voluminous anecdotal information, supporting the need for a change in our energy usage. Against that backdrop, we should limit our attacks against the antagonizers and limit ourselves to a continued focus on the change that we need. Our ideas are sound, and energy focused on refining them will do more than energy focused on demeaning those with entrenched energy technologies.
2. In victory (or maybe even before), work with the opposition.
When Mandela took power, he early on recognized the need to unite South Africa. Those who committed atrocities received trial and punishment within the law. For everyone else, Mandela focused on ways to unite people around their commonality. We see this exemplified in the story of the Springboks, South Africa's rugby team, immortalized in the movie Invictus. Although it did not deliver a perfect world without conflict, it proved the best possible approach both internally and from the point of view of the rest of the world.
Many of the most active detractors of climate science, especially those who have intentionally maligned both the science and the scientists publicly with slander and lies, should not benefit from a new energy economy focused on quality of life and the betterment of the planet as a whole. Everyone else, from the miners of West Virginia to the utility executives in the Pacific Northwest should have the opportunity to transition. Utilities can use their leverage to install and service renewable energy and high-performance building systems. Miners and pipeline workers can receive training to become building operators, system installers, and electricians. All can participate, reducing or eliminating any possible shock to the economy.
3. Don't get entrenched.
After one term in office, Mandela stepped down to allow a transition. He recognized the importance of the future of the state over his own personal gain.
One of the reasons for our current predicament is the entrenched status of large, multi-national corporations benefiting from the status quo. A new energy economy must include a distributed network of mutually beneficial companies and technologies that uses our still new integrated communications technology to facilitate the flow of information and the development of new products. If we supplant one behemoth for another, we do not solve the inherent problem, even as we make progress.
Those who inspire seek not just to receive accolades. They want change. It is not enough for us to celebrate Nelson Mandela, we must continue his work. At the end of the day, if we create a world free from energy-related pollution, where all can create a high quality of life without sacrificing the quality of life of another, we will have done more to remember Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and all the others who have sought justice than all the kinds words in memorium.
No comments:
Post a Comment