On the move

These are terrible and hopeful times. We have all summer seen the pictures of drowning people in the Mediterranean, overloaded boats carrying desperate people. But not until one little boy was washed up on the shore did it really dawn upon us that these were not mere numbers, but real people, real children that succumbed to the waves. This did change the discussion in all of Europe and the cynical voices talking of numbers and volumes were sudden spoken against. The lack of empathy and viscous de-humanising of refugees was met by thousands of people all over Europe now willing to volunteer to help those in need. Media was suddenly realising their role not to anxiously listen to the dark voices, but to take a stand and speak of human rights and fundamental values, all his putting pressure on those weak politicians who would not look beyond their party strategists.

So how do we now transform this upwelling of humanity and solidarity to a movement? Because this crisis is not going to be over any time soon. One of the culprits behind the forced exodus out of Middle East and Africa is climate change. Our wait and see attitude and procrastination when it comes to dealing with climate change will cost us dearly, it is already payback time for both societies and humans. We have been sleeping to long, hard times will follow.

 

The parts of the world that will see the worst effects are not those that have benefitted most from our fossil driven growth economy. On the contrary, island nations in the Pacific and farmers in Africa have contributed very little to the carbon pollution of the atmosphere. It is we in the more prosperous parts of the world that have gained most and payed the least so far.

Therefore, it is not only a question of humanity and solidarity that gives us an imperative to help the people that are now walking towards our European borders. We have also a moral obligation to assist them in their plight. There is room for more people on our continent.  Here we can also together with our newcomers craft the solutions that will make it possible if not for them, so at least for both their and our children to again grow peace and prosperity beyond our borders. But for that we need an increased realisation that the root causes of both conflicts and climate change must be solved, or we will literary drown together. 

We need a movement and we need a lot of innovative solutions. A few days ago I was attending the final of Climate Launchpad, an EU competition for clean and green ideas. The winners had a technique that may stop deserts from growing and return them to to arable land. If their idea holds what it promises, if we allow the people from Syria to find shelter within our borders, to assist us with the knowledge they bring and learn new things together with us, then the Middle East may again be a fertile crescent.