These examples illustrate aspects of the compound challenge humanity is facing – and the necessity for cross-cutting solutions. The evidence is overwhelming and cannot be denied by rational people – only ignored. All these issues are potentially soluble with wisdom, co-operation and technology.
Yet the greatest challenge lies, not in the physical threats we face, but in our own minds. Our belief in non-material things like money, politics, religion and the human narrative often diverts and undermines our efforts to work together for survival. This has to change. Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si, demonstrated that religion can be re-dedicated to human survival – and it is now essential that money, politics and the human narrative are similarly re-dedicated. Otherwise they will sabotage the very actions essential to our survival.
There are also two extremely hopeful developments. The first is the emerging ability to "think as a species" by sharing knowledge, values and solutions through the internet. This is reshaping, for all time and for the better, our ability to co-operate around the planet.
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The second is the emergence of women as leaders across society. Women, as a rule, do not start wars, dig coal, ravage landscapes, plunder the oceans, obliterate other species and knowingly poison their offspring. They think about the children, the grandchildren, and their future needs. Women are already curbing future population growth by reducing the birth rate worldwide. Feminine thought – by males as well as females – is a key to our future survival.
Such ways of thinking are a universal necessity for Homo sapiens, if civilisation and our species are to survive the 21st century.
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