HADLEIGH REID
Whanganui
World's difficulties alarming
Is there a consensus that on many fronts the world circumstance is deteriorating at an increasing and alarming rate?
I don't have answers to the difficulties - conflicts widespread, global warming and unprecedented floods, famine, drought, extreme heat, wildfires, displaced people, cyclones and typhoons. Plus uncertainty in governance, the rise of extremist right-wing leaders, social and political unrest, increasing tensions between major global players, and smaller nations quick to align with one bloc or the other, seemingly shaping up for a major showdown. There's much more, including environmental deterioration, exploitation and pollution, and Covid-19.
There appear to be no perspectives from which humans could claim these issues are improving or current strategies are making a tangible improvement. I'm sure many, particularly the young, are very concerned.
I don't know what would make a tangible difference, short of a global reconsideration of our political, governance and economic systems, then perhaps restructuring systems based on values opposite the monetary aspirations and political popularity that currently hold such sway in governance and election of governments.
A movement is needed so global crises are registering in our collective psyches and our heads are not planted in the sand; a world where these issues are collectively acknowledged, a world in big trouble with little light ahead. We all need to ask questions, perhaps in a kind of theosophical inquiry, beginning with what is important in life and what would a world that upholds those values look like.
If the world remains head in the sand, these issues are not going to be acknowledged in any kind of global prognosis, the questions won't be asked so it's grim, because solutions can't and won't be found.
I believe that reality at least needs to be acknowledged and relevant questions asked. The alternative is the status quo - a terminally deteriorating world.
PAUL BABER
Aramoho
