Web sites, publications and presentations presented by environmental advocates provide scientific evidence of the occurrence of environmental degradation of all sorts; its consequences and severity; and solutions that need to be implemented by a change of behaviour of citizens and/or public policy measures. The evidence is based on scientific and rational methods to present the truth and not based on myth or superstition.

That is not going to happen here!

More scientific reports, more dire warnings and more discussions regarding targets/timeframes or government policies to encourage world action has not worked as expected. Per Espen Stoknes is a Norwegian psychologist and environmentalist, who captures the current situation quite succinctly and accurately. The solutions pushed by many environmental organizations have become part of the problem. This is very evident in most attempts to communicate climate science to the public. When people aren’t convinced by hearing the scientific facts of climate change, then the facts have been repeated and multiplied. Or shouted in a louder voice. Or with more pictures of drowning polar bears, still-bleaker facts, even more studies. Still no response? Then the rule of thumb has been to try to shout louder yet. Make a hair-raising video with emotive music showing that we’re heading for the cliff. Or write the umpteenth report for widespread distribution with the new facts, unequivocal documentation, and lots of graphs, scientific references, and tables. Some are still surprised—or arrogantly annoyed—at all those people who just don’t get it. (Stoknes, 2015)

Looking deeper into the lack of any substantial change reveals only one surprise. That is how long before main-stream environmentalists pause long enough to look deeply and honestly critique their own lack of progress. People and communities are reacting as would be expected with indifference, apathy and denial given how environmental advocates react to this issue. This paragraph sounds completely contradictory to what is normally portrayed by environmentalists or science communicators. It’s not the general public, businesses or governments at fault, it is environmentalists at fault for continuing the same path for over 30 years with the same results – no substantial change. Now that is some serious blame shifting going on!!

Environmentalists may now feel like they have just been attacked, which they were! In the same manner that they may attack the apathetic or denialists general public. Attacks as per the above may highlight some truth, however, they are counterproductive even if easy and convenient to do. Business, government, general public, academics, scientists, environmentalists are all equally victims or casualties of circumstances. If the real cause of any lack of progress is identified one could say that it is closed minds, fear and egos.

These traits are not specific to any group of people, rather they are traits applicable to individuals. People who are rigid in their mentality. Whether a person is the CEO of a coal mining company; political leader of a government; researcher/scientist; environmentalist; academic; in fact, any person can be rigid in mind and disposition. This goes against the grain of the fact that societies and the world is not standing still and is moving at a blistering pace due to science, engineering and technology. It is often stated that the fossil fuel industry must move on and that it is a dinosaur industry. The same could be said of the rigid environmentalist or rigid climate change academic. Blaming the wind for the air movements that snap an old dry tree branch is like blaming humans for being emotional and less than perfectly scientifically rational with regard to climate change! Rather pointless and wasting.

“Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born.” ALBERT EINSTEIN

This site is not about magically transforming a rigid mindset, it is about exposing them so that they can subsequently be ignored. Yes ignored! Identify the rigid mindset and why it causes problems to the rest of society, then subsequently ignore it as you will never change it. More fruitful concentrating on what can be changed. Current too many experts are arguing over miniscule details trying to convince the majority in the middle which way to swing. Let the experts argue as their honour is at stake. Best to focus on generating ideas and visions for communities that contain CEOs, politicians, academics, scientists, and environmentalists but not stopping there. The ideas and visions to include shop assistants, school teachers, farmers, retirees, in fact the only qualification needed to be included in this list is that you are NOT rigid in mind or disposition. What is needed are open and inquisitive childlike minds to replace closed minds; acceptance that setbacks and mistakes will occur on a troublesome path, not fear in tackling an unknown path; humility that accepts human frailties and limitations, not egos or professional reputations. HOW EASY IS THAT!!!

That is what’s going to happen here!

To commence such a journey will require understanding the landscape to be able to navigate and negotiate the obstacles, identifying possible paths to take of which there will be multiple, and realizing the terrain is ever changing in the most unpredictable ways.  No cartographic maps are available for this journey. The continents themselves are continually moving pushing up huge mountainous ranges and deep river filled gorges much quicker than a map could be surveyed, printed and distributed. The intrepid explorer will need the insight and gut feeling in how to respond to the changing landscape, where any long-term goal setting is superfluous. A consciousness outside current thinking and awareness and discovering a world anew during the journey is required.

It is the curious child that is now lost to the narrow academic and scientific thinking that dominates our world, our consciousness is confined to narrow spaces that limits imagination and creativity in addressing social issues. It is walled in by the unquestioning acceptance of the rational scientific methodology to justify fearful and egotistical experts arguing over truths. A consciousness and curiosity of a world outside of narrow academic and rational scientific thinking is needed.

There are some academics, scientists and environmentalists that reside, outside the sanctity of their safe havens of laboratories and universities, though the majority do not. It is hoped that within these pages will be presented a different mindset taking in the arts and humanities and the social sciences to work in tandem with the natural sciences outside the lecture halls and laboratories and into the real world of perceptions, beliefs and priorities that humans inhabit. For too long the mindset has been the public is ignorant in the sciences and needs to be educated; the use of fear/guilt/shame to force change; highlight how the public is in denial; and the hard sciences have the answer to a social issue.

References

  • Stoknes, Per Espen. What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global Warming. 2015