TCKTCKTCK to the future

Maintaining the Status Quo - when we have achieved some semblance of "the good life", our priority is then to maintain that lifestyle, not to see it eroded, to keep things the way they currently are. But that mindset comes with a big price tag for the planet.

This week, I observed a considerable degree of that urge to maintain the status quo, with farmers in the UK rejecting wind farms which might change their view, Australians in a debate about how our lifestyles could change unless we tighten our border security. Others worldwide are concerned about increases in energy cost, and how that could impact them in the short term, while many more see their lifestyles being eroded from lack of water and changing climate. Others just want to avoid any debate and hope that life will continue as "normal" and want their personal status quo maintained.

In some ways, the Copenhagen debate is also one of Status Quo - how to set a course for the future at the same time as providing the economic and political stability to take us there.

So there is no easy answer here, but an absolute need to develop a new paradigm, new values, and a new vision. We have talked a lot about the pain of this transition and that surely will happen, but it's also time to talk about a new future which will provide a new status quo. How do we live in this new world? What resources do we need and what can we provide for our children to develop this space?

Copenhagen is one more step in that direction, and an important one. So it's now time for us all to become more active in our communities and to let go of our own personal "status quo" - to become pioneers of this new future, and join those, like Desmond Tutu, in becoming Climate (and planet) Allies.