The Curious Case of Climate Change: Why Humans must Burn before We Learn

We can't turn a blind eye any longer. 2023 will be remembered as the pivotal moment when humanity recognised that continued inaction would only lead to escalating death tolls. Yet, this realisation doesn’t necessarily guarantee transformative action. Governments, far more than companies or charities, hold the power to enact significant change. But many continue to shuffle their feet. Even in the wake of thousands of their citizens perishing in diverse natural disasters, several remain passive, seemingly waiting for a magic solution to appear.

Just as children in a classroom wait for their peers to make the first move, many are hesitating, hoping someone else will raise their hand to declare, “Pick Me!” Instead, everyone appears engrossed in their tasks, ostensibly busy, secretly wishing for another kid to naively step up and assume leadership. And we all know the predicament: nobody wants to lead.

What becomes of the leader? Typically, they expend additional resources on foundational tasks: rallying the group, setting the agenda, ensuring detailed notes are taken, and distributing action items. Yet often, participants still lack the motivation to fulfil their roles, and sometimes, even to attend. After all, had they been responsible enough, they might have aspired to lead. Should things go south, the blame invariably falls on the one at the helm. So the leader ends up expending so much more energy just to get people moving, often without adequate recognition or support. But that's a story for another day.

Do we really have to wait until we reach the brink, watching as people suffer and more join them? It seems only when faced with the imminent threat of a global catastrophe do major governments begin to take significant action, shifting their policies from insular views to fostering partnerships with others. I don't believe we've reached that juncture yet, but I sincerely hope it's on the horizon.

Imminent death is the mother of all action.