Dr Sam WellsCaught in the headlights - What holds us back from the big shift?

“I would give all the wealth of the world, and all the deeds of all the heroes, for one true vision.” – Henry David Thoreau

OUR RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITYEverywhere we look, the challenges mount:Climate change; poverty; community fragmentation; water scarcity; deforestation; desertification; threats to food quality and distribution; urban pollution; soil depletion; decreasing biodiversity; accelerating species extinction; economic collapseBut despite a growing sense of alarm and urgency, our collective response has not yet been equal to the challenge.Why is it that we seem almost paralysed by the threats to our present and future wellbeing? See also in O’Brien, J (ed) (2009) Opportunities Beyond Carbon, pp. 19-27

TWO BOOKS THAT THROW LIGHT ON THE MYSTERY – AN HISTORICAL COINCIDENCE1. Rachel Carson, Silent Spring (1962)For many, this marks the beginning of the modern environmental movementShe won a heroic battle, against the odds, to limit the use of DDT etc.But we seem to be still fighting Carson’s battle…over and over again.Donella Meadows (a contemporary giant in Sustainability) has suggested that it might have something to do with the ground we choose to defend:Environmentalists have failed perhaps more than any other set of advocates to project vision. Most people associate environmentalism with restriction, prohibition, regulation, and sacrifice.…The best goal most of us who work toward sustainability offer is the avoidance of catastrophe. We promise survival and not much more. That is a failure of vision. Meadows, DH (1994) ‘Envisioning a Sustainable World’http://www.sustainabilityinstitute.org/pubs/Envisioning.DMeadows.pdf

For many, this marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement

She won a heroic battle, against the odds, to limit the use of DDT etc.

TWO BOOKS THAT THROW LIGHT ON THE MYSTERY – AN HISTORICAL COINCIDENCE2. Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962)An historian of Science – his insights have had an impact way beyond his intended field of researchIntroduced us to the notion of paradigmTheoretical framework or way of seeing things, that becomes entrenched in a given period, and can even accommodate evidence from nature that seems to contradict itClassic response to challenge is to reinforce the current paradigm by fiddling at the margins to accommodate the uncomfortable evidence

An historian of Science – his insights have had an impact way beyond his intended field of research

Introduced us to the notion of paradigm

Theoretical framework or way of seeing things, that becomes entrenched in a given period, and can even accommodate evidence from nature that seems to contradict it

Classic response to challenge is to reinforce the current paradigm by fiddling at the margins to accommodate the uncomfortable evidence

THE DYNAMICS OF A PARADIGM SHIFTKuhn had a critical insight into the dynamics of a paradigm shift The shift doesn’t come away from the established paradigm, no matter how shaky it becomes.The shift only comes towards a new paradigm presenting itself – one that better explains the evidence from nature.In the absence of a new paradigm, people will find ways to rationalise the continuing dominance of the established paradigm.It follows that the new paradigm, when it presents itself, does not ‘build’ on the old, but rejects it as flawed and inadequate.

Kuhn had a critical insight into the dynamics of a paradigm shift

The shift doesn’t come away from the established paradigm, no matter how shaky it becomes.

The shift only comes towards a new paradigm presenting itself – one that better explains the evidence from nature.

In the absence of a new paradigm, people will find ways to rationalise the continuing dominance of the established paradigm.

It follows that the new paradigm, when it presents itself, does not ‘build’ on the old, but rejects it as flawed and inadequate.

CAUGHT IN THE HEADLIGHTSPerhaps this helps too explain our paralysis – like creatures caught in the headlights:Our vision of the future shaped by the future we fearOr perhaps…Dazzled by the brilliance of our own unspoken vision and unable to let go of the safety and comfort of our current (failed) courseEither way, the answer lies not in hand-wringing contemplation of the consequences of inaction, but in an inspiring, compelling vision of something better…

Perhaps this helps too explain our paralysis – like creatures caught in the headlights:

Our vision of the future shaped by the future we fear

Dazzled by the brilliance of our own unspoken vision and unable to let go of the safety and comfort of our current (failed) course

THE ROLE OF VISION Kuhn’s thinking on paradigms connects to Meadows’ thinking on visionThe new paradigm must be reflected in a concrete vision, not of merely escaping disaster, but of securing something much better than we have nowThought leaders in every field of endeavour have a responsibility to help us shape a vision of something better, and make it live in the collective mindA vision, not of what we’ll settle for, but of what we really wantA vision not based on ‘trade-offs’ – e.g. ecology or economy – but on ‘both…and’

Kuhn’s thinking on paradigms connects to Meadows’ thinking on vision

The new paradigm must be reflected in a concrete vision, not of merely escaping disaster, but of securing something much better than we have now

A vision, not of what we’ll settle for, but of what we really want

A vision not based on ‘trade-offs’ – e.g. ecology or economy – but on ‘both…and’

THE WAY FORWARDMeadows tells us that the art of envisioning lies in recapturing the child’s capacity to articulate what we really want, without submitting to our habit of: second-guessing ourselves; Allowing the intellect to crowd out the rest of our humanityseeing first all the reasons why not; and demanding a certain pathway to the goal. The way to our vision lies through complexities that will not admit any certainty, but if the vision is true, the path emerges. And we are freed to travel it –from the old paradigm to the new from paralysis to action from scarcity to abundance from fear to opportunity

Merry Kohn

Next Seminar: 14 AugustDr Kane AldridgeWhat is the future for the Lower Lakes?