A New and Better World Is On Its Way

THERE IS MORE GOOD NEWS IN THE WORLD THAN BAD

On Dec 27th, the lead article in the Opinion Section of the Globe and Mail was a plea from the very respected Globe and Mail Opinion writer Doug Saunders to Generation Zers (ages 13-28) to not lose HOPE. He stated, “You are not watching the world end, because you are about to inherit and play a large role in building a new and better world.”

The news of the past few years, and more markedly in the past year, has led many of these young people to believe they are inheriting what was once a great world, but now one where there is no longer a world order anyone recognizes. They believe that their lives will be less prosperous than previous generations, that autocratic leaders are taking over a world no longer guided by previously accepted values or the RULE OF LAW. A world becoming instead designed for the leaders and the rich and their money, and whose actions are making an already ecologically damaged planet worse.

Meaningful jobs are hard to obtain, and being made even harder by the advancement of AI, making owning a home merely a dream for most young people. While stats and conversations show these young people are very environmentally and climate conscious, there is also a high rate of mental health issues amongst Gen Zers. Many see the above conditions getting worse with no bottom in sight. Research shows that only 13% of young Americans think America is headed in the right direction, and 69% of Americans of all ages no longer believe in the American dream. Saunders, however, believes the young people will in fact be the heirs of and contributors to the greatest period of rebuilding since the end of WWII.

WWII

Coming out of WWII in 1945, the world was virtually bankrupt, there was high inflation, millions of people were going hungry, much had been physically destroyed, and millions of soldiers were being turned into a non-defined job market in which there was no world order. Out of the ashes, partly as a result of need and human ingenuity, came a new world order. New institutions were created, including the United Nations and the Reconstruction Bank, leading to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, government and individually sponsored aid programmes, including the US-sponsored Marshall Plan, and improved social security programmes, which helped to stabilize the world and human rights became a powerful driving theme.

There was a new era of international cooperation, a boom in employment, and improved prosperity for most of the world, including reduced poverty in spite of an increasing population.

It is important to note that many of the components of this renaissance were conceived and developed during the war and continued to evolve afterwards for a long period of time. With the United States leading the way economically and emerging as the world’s protector and policeman, the heir of and great contributors to this new world were, in large part, the baby boomers. Saunders and many others, including Prime Minister Carney, agree like in 1945, the world is now going through a huge period of change, particularly in International Governance and Climate.

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE

Though not the only country going through change, the United States, with Donald Trump as both the agent and a symptom of the turmoil in the country, is at the forefront of this change. Their actions have put the rest of the world in a very uncertain place. This turmoil is creating change, to where is still to be determined. However, these changes present an opportunity for the young and not-so-young to create a new and better world. In fact, Saunders, backed by considerable evidence, shows changes are well underway and already GEN Zers are playing a major role in creating these changes, as the young have throughout history.

REGIME CHANGE

Digging deep into the world of GEN Z, we find that, in general, reports and surveys tell us the young are democratically oriented and concerned about social justice, climate, and sustainability. Protests and actions of the young have recently led to the defeat of governments in Bangladesh, Nepal, Peru and Bulgaria, and according to Saunders, there are significant movements happening in a dozen other countries. There is currently tremendous unrest in Iran, and we have watched hundreds of thousands taking to the streets in Tehran and elsewhere.

One does not have to look back very far to remember the upheaval and change of regimes brought about by the youth uprisings across North Africa in the early 2010s (The Arab Spring).

In the United States, the unrest and upheaval caused by the young forced President Johnson from office, bringing the start to the end of the Vietnam War, and simultaneously, the Civil Rights Movement, with their protests and marches led by many, including Martin Luther King Jr., moved Black Rights forward. King was only 34 when he led the famous march on Washington and gave the ever-powerful “I have a dream” speech in 1963. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at 35 and 39, when he was assassinated. While Black equality is still a work in progress, there has been, in my view, considerable progress.

I strongly believe the days of Trump and his henchmen will eventually come to an end, exactly when we do not know. In my opinion, it will be driven because of opposition from within, and it may be sooner than we think. There is already considerable opposition to his actions, including rejection of many of his proposals by the courts, an increasing pushback from within the Republican party, and many prominent people, including previously supportive influential talk show hosts like Joe Rogan, are no longer supporters. While Trump has gained much power and every day seeks more, he will not have real power until he has public support. Supportive polls, however, have been declining for some time. Many people are predicting there could be another civil war, perhaps not of a shooting variety; some believe it has already started.

We are also seeing an increasing number of people demonstrating in the streets across the country because of ICE tactics in Minneapolis and elsewhere. Actions like his, “Board of Peace,” the threatened Greenland takeover, and the illegal move into Venezuela are heavily opposed.

The Epstein files and questions about his possible role, if any, in human trafficking and engaging with young girls keep resurfacing and there is increasing discussion the files include information linking Epstein and Trump to Putin and Russia. His tariff policies are under review by the Supreme court and questions about his mental health are in the news every day. Will his continual lying or poor handling of the economy – or any of these actions – or all of them – be the tipping point to bring about his demise, and neuter his actions?  Or will it be the mid-term elections in November?

Whenever it happens, there will need to be changes made in the U.S. Democratic structure, a return to common decency and creation of set human values to which people can agree on what is right and wrong.

Former New York Times columnist David Brooks, in a recent “Goodbye,”  article on his departure from the New York Times, said it is not just Trump; there were 77 million Americans who voted for Trump and did not find his morals, or lack thereof, were enough to disqualify him from being president. Brooks says there has been an erosion of human values for some time, decades of hyper individualism and an educational system that has been promoting the idea that the main purpose of education is to make money to the exclusion of liberalism and humanism (the valuing of the dignity of all persons). Brooks, a conservative, however, is excited that many universities are starting to re-focus on humanism, morality and character development, citizenship, and how to live a flourishing life. In fact, he has just become a Senior Fellow at Yale to promote these values.

Climate Change

A new and better approach to our environment and climate will be a big part of our, new world order. Much has happened of late for the good, particularly developments with alternate energy, solar and wind being the biggest. Here are 3 more recent positive environmental changes: The High Seas Treaty to protect world oceans, Jan 2026, the world treaty 30 by 30 (30% of the world’s land and water in the world being protected by 2030), and the world’s CO2 Emissions are expected to peak within the next year, then decline *

Saunders believes, however, there will be additional massive environmental upgrades needed in many areas, including 1) the need to replace carbon-based emitters, 2) develop new technologies and methods to reduce existing warming, and 3) erect infrastructure to protect our cities, farmlands, and oceans. This includes decarbonizing land and sea transportation. Much of this will be done through new technologies, especially AI, requiring enormous amounts of capital. This, in turn, will fuel jobs, particularly for the young. Many others are touting the opportunities which will arise for everyone to create a better world.

Chris Turner, a Calgary-based environmental writer, has said that when it comes to climate change, we need to create a better mousetrap. We are doing just that through new alternate energy developments. Bill Gates, too, is optimistic about the future. He says that while we need to focus on climate, a better world needs to keep more young people alive. Something his foundation has been doing for years. As outlined above, David Brooks has started a new career to focus on the re-emergence of humanism. Other schools are doing this too.

Only time will show us what our new world will look like; however, history has shown that virtually everyone can play a role in its creation. However, participants need to look to the future and take the initiative to make it happen. **

Till next time,

Chris Snyder, Climate Optimist

Email: snyderchris74@gmail.com
Stories of Good News and Hope: https://chrissnyder.makeanimpact.ca

* For additional Good News Climate Stories, just go online. There are 1000’s.

**Here are 4 ways you can participate in the creation of a new and better world:

a) Review your own values, beliefs and actions, including the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Discuss these with your family and associates; you may be surprised that you do not need to change much, if anything.

b) Support and encourage politicians and others who can effect change.

c) Volunteer and financially support organizations doing positive work to make the world a better place for all. Organizations like the Human Rights Museum come to mind.

d) Support environmental initiatives in whatever way you can.