TED Conversations

Kieran Sharp

snowboard coach, blue mile snowsports

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

How do we create a better world for all of us and future generations?

My own answer to this question is that we need strong worldwide leadership to initiate big changes. It might not be comfortable for everyone, and may take some time before we see the benefits but if we fail to act positively there is real danger of negative consequences and a much more difficult problem for our children to solve. One thought I have had recently is to unite 3 areas of society to help lead a real change.

If we could bring the current government, Economic and political leaders in to one group, spiritual and religious leaders of all religions and spiritual directions in to another, and scientists ecologists and environmentalists in to a third. In this system we could possibly make it that these three sections of leadership must agree upon all decisions made for the planet unanimously.

Topics: change environment environmental awareness geopolitics religion and science
+1
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • thumb

    Lucy Ryan

    • +1
    Nov 13 2012: I think the problem here lies within many people's lack of wisdom today. I often think that as we've excelled in knowledge, our wisdom has plummeted (though i am not generalising). I do think therefore that our government (speaking from the UK here) needs to be incredibly wise and STOP this rapid progression we seem to be in. With every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and unfortunately it seems that with many actions man takes, the environment feels the reaction directly (which, in turn, means that we too feel the reaction - global warming, etc.)

    In a sense, I think the government need to start slowing down. Stop this sprinting to an unclear goal and, I suppose, start to regress. We have the knowledge, now let's bring back our wisdom. For example, small changes, such as removing escalators from shops. You may laugh, however think about it: I am not suggesting removing lifts, as otherwise those less able to walk wouldn't have the freedom to go where others can. However removing escalators will not only 1. reduce the amount of electricity being used 2. save the retailers money but will 3. Help towards a MASSIVE problem of obesity here in the UK (as well as in America). Yes, it's only getting rid of escalators, but the energy we use to spend actually (god forbid) walking counts! Now i'm only taking the obesity crises as an example, but it's a huge cost for our healthcare system (the NHS in the UK)

    As i said, we need to take small, wise changes that will actually do a lot of good. As before: Reducing escalators = less electricity used = using more energy walking to increase our fitness

    (Also i hope no one focuses solely on my escalator idea, as i don't think it will change the world. My focus is, as i said, small and wise changes enforced by the government)
    • thumb

      Kieran Sharp

      • 0
      Nov 14 2012: I love it, lots of changes like the one you speak of in my opinion will definitely help direct us to a more positive and wisdom based society. People all over the planet in their respective fields and communities can actually come up with ideas that will work, benefit themselves, those around them, and the goals of reducing emissions and costs to economies across the globe.

      We all have these ideas of how to create a better world starting from ourselves and our local communities. However how do we begin to bring these ideas fully out in to our communities (big and small scale)? If we start to actually make these changes with or without the support of our governments, will others around us begin to realize they can also implement their own ideas? Following that would it be possible that our governments encourage and help support those who have the courage to stand up and start making a difference also?
      • thumb

        Lucy Ryan

        • 0
        Nov 14 2012: I think people already make huge changes which, yes, influence others, but sadly don't influence everyone. For this example i'll take the idea of car sharing, which not only reduces emission costs but get's us meeting new people, which in a society fuelled by online 'social networks' is so, so critical. Therefore, we NEED the support of the government. Carrying on with the theme of car sharing, if a law was implemented which ensured that a person living X miles away from work and choosing to travel to work by car MUST car share with another employee. And before anyone exclaims 'making a law is a bit extreme!', yes i agree. So maybe, instead of a law, perhaps a negotiation. For those who DO car share, certain 'rewards' are given, such as shopping/supermarket vouchers, or money off holidays (these are only ideas). This way, the car pooling idea wouldn't be compulsory, however by following it a person would only be gaining something (i.e getting money off of certain things)

        Also, a 'negotiation scheme' over a law would actually give people the opportunity to make WISE decisions for themselves, with the promise of a reward, and without the feeling of being forced to do or not to do something, as would be created with a new law.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.