Obstacles to Alignment on Climate Change
What is it about the discussion on climate change that makes it so difficult to get agreement on the nature of the risk? Because if we can’t even agree that a problem exists, how are we ever going to agree on a path forward?
Precedents exist where collective action has been successful in responding to an environmental threat. The best example is the Montreal Protocol in which nations and markets responded to the threat of chemicals to the ozone. The United Nations treaty aimed at the problem is the only to achieve universal ratification.
What’s different about climate change that keeps us from simply replicating what worked with that example?
1️⃣ Carbon combustion is not just an industrial process, it is woven into the global cultural fabric. The roar of an engine and the feeling of freedom with which this sounds is intertwined isn’t met by the quiet hum of an EV.
The connection between carbon combustion and cultural identify goes beyond personal transport. Individuals, families, and even whole towns pride themselves on their place in the industrial movement. Being a coal miner or roughneck is not just a job; it’s a personal identity.
2️⃣ Although the ozone problem was global in scope, economic dependency on carbon-based energy is exponentially larger. Not just a chemical component of processes and products, carbon is arguably the foundation of industry. The scale of changes required to move to carbon-free energy simply cannot be compared.
3️⃣ Incalculable wealth has been generated using carbon-based fuels. The idea of interrupting that financial engine understandably scares a LOT of people, both those who depend on it paycheck-to-paycheck basis and those who have built generational wealth. Taking that income away is elicits pushback of epic proportions.
4️⃣ The science is highly complex, making it difficult for the average person to wrap their head around the problem. Embracing the changes required to convert to carbon-free energy requires either a great leap of faith or reluctant compliance.
5️⃣ Pessimistically, people are selfish, and the impacts of climate change seem like a problem for future generations. Asking people to make a sacrifice now in order for those not yet born to benefit is tough for many. Consider how often grocery carts are left strewn rather than returned to the corral a few steps more distant.
Decision making required to solve difficult problems requires alignment among those involved on a few dimensions:
➤ A problem exists that is worth solving.
➤ The root cause of the problem is discoverable.
➤ The problem is solvable with available resources
➤ The action required to solve the problem and the costs involved are acceptable.
At Tilt Global, we empower teams with the capacity to make the decisions necessary to align not just on what the problem is but how to address it. These are fundamental steps that are actually an antidote to so-called Group-Think, a shared abandonment of thinking of thinking for oneself.