Let's brainstorm ideas now!
To date, much of the global economic system has been directed towards stimulating production to meet consumer demand. However, one could create an alternative economic system, which rewards those who act in the interests of protecting the planet and the environment, while guaranteeing the basic needs of every individual.
One problem is that this is just the statement of one person. Others can still go ahead producing, consuming and destroying the planet. The problem is that countries that pay less attention to the environment could build strong economies and militaries to obtain the resources from other countries where people are living lives that is not so bad for the environment. In order to defend and prevent such external influence, many other countries will probably feel they need to stimulate their economies to fund the military to deter others. Even creating a world economy which supports the incentives described in the last paragraph is likely to require consuming resources to create a system to enforce it.
The proposal is for a world where individuals are rewarded for investing effort in taking actions that protect or improve the environment consistent with other human basic needs being met. It has to be determined how the efforts of those protecting the environment would be assessed, but a separate system to the current global economic system could be created for rewarding them.
Currently, despite several international climate conferences, the world’s largest economy does not appear to be concerned about greenhouse gas emissions. Even countries such as the United Kingdom, where the author is based is living in an economy that does not incentivise individuals to focus their efforts on reducing emissions and damage to the environment. It could be argued that the UK creates incentives for other countries to end up with emissions that are too high. The UK is allied to the world’s largest economy, which has one of the highest emissions per capita.
On the other hand, it could be argued that the reason why the United Kingdom needs to pursue economic growth is for global stability and defending the principle of national sovereignty. Some might argue that if the UK were to abandon economic growth, it would not be able to support its military and other global initiatives with consequences for international security that might lead to a world with more wars and a worse environmental situation.
Even though the UK has a lower level of greenhouse gases emissions per capita than Russia, it could be argued that the UK creates incentives for higher greenhouse gases in Russia. Individuals in the UK - it could be argued - by enjoying higher living standards and setting a bad example by living beyond their basic needs or requirements are creating popular pressure in Russia for a consumerist society where many people’s primary aim is to strive for higher living standards with bad consequences for the environment.
Another difference between Russia and the UK is over the potential to influence global warming. In terms of creating a global reward system for individuals that take action to improve the environment, Russia is the country with the most land on earth and is an independent global power unlike the United Kingdom, which is dependent upon the United States to a large extent for some security aspects.
In terms of enforcement, it is possible that Russia could partner with people in the United Kingdom in setting up a global system aimed at incentivising people towards improving the environment and minimising greenhouse gas emissions and aimed at enforcement of a world where countries are prevented from excessive emissions.
From the diagram shown earlier, it is clear that a system of enforcement will require emissions, for example boats to patrol waters to prevent actions leading to excess emissions. In each country, each person can present themselves as being part of an organization aimed at achieving something positive, be it the provision of basic human needs, work increasing efficiency (from an environmental perspective) in the provision of basic human needs and those involved in enforcing the right incentive structure for the environment. Their efforts can give them credits that are recognised in their country and / or in different parts of the world.
This could lead to a world where people spend their effort on activities that provide the basic needs of humans in the most efficient way from the perspective of the environment rather than thinking people have the right to consume environmental resources if it makes sense under the current economic system.
The system by which resources are allocated on the planet is often a matter of coordination; it is up to individuals to come up with a better system to avert an environmental catastrophe.
Russia’s people can define its purpose in the world by switching all efforts towards finding allies in the world aimed at promoting a global system that protects the environment and that has the right incentives for humanity’s progression on this planet.
If you have any ideas or would like to meet, please email david [a] eiz.global or look out for David at Speaker's Corner, Hyde Park, London with a white T-shirt saying ''Start a Conversation'' on 9 August 2026.