I’ve become fond of numbers.
I realised how clearly numbers speak.
Every day, I am confronted with numbers in all sorts of possible and impossible sizes – numbers that at the same time speak to all sorts of possible and impossible emotions.
But with all the exotic numbers roaming around in this world, I recommend that we remember the smallest number and the value of it: Number 1.
1 globe
1 humanity
1 life
1 chance
1%
It is interesting, for example, that researchers have calculated that it would cost 1 humanity 1% of our total GDP over a few years to convert our entire electricity network to run on renewable energy sources.
Which would be a huge step towards 1 chance of success.
Just to take an example, an average Dane has an annual income of US$50,000 (DKK320,040)
1% of that would be 500 dollars.
I know quite a few people to whom an annual payout of $500 would be absolutely possible. To save the future of 1 civilisation.
Today, 1% of the world’s population owns over half of the world’s wealth. This means that 1% of the wealthiest percentage’s total assets make up half of the total budget for a total, global green transition. It sounds completely affordable.
But the problem, unfortunately, is not just a question of finances.
Repeatedly I hear conscientious people talk with regret in their voice about their inability to get involved in the fight for action on climate change.
To them I would say what a good friend said to me when I was about to give birth for the first time: “But Maya, to give birth is not that bad when you think of the alternative”.
The point is, of course, that there is no alternative. Either we fight for having a future, or…
But to make it a little more manageable, let’s look at the resource that probably holds many people back from getting involved: time.
It can be difficult to find the time which is required in order to change behavior or to familiarise yourself with climate and carbon research results.
But if we, for example, suggest that we each spend 1% of our awake time fighting for our future, that would mean spending ten minutes on this purpose on a daily basis. Does that sound reasonably doable?
It equals 1 hour and ten minutes a week. Spending 1 hour and ten minutes a week, or in average ten minutes each day, we can share conversations together about this, we can figure out what should be our personal actions – even the smallest place is a good place to start.
We can help spread the rings in the water, in recognition of the reality and in search of the best solutions.
And we can support each other. Because we are going to need that.
I put this into writing because I’d like to see more people talking about these numbers – and to join the fast-growing movement for climate action in even greater numbers. Because we are under pressure with a non-negotiable deadline.
I hope you will join the conversation about animal and plant life, about our mentality, about our production, our consumption, and solutions for the future
about
1 globe,
1 humanity,
1 life,
1 chance,
1%
Maya Bjerrum Trinkjær is a lecturer and communicator at Citizens Climate Lobby Denmark and a teacher at at STU Favrskov in Denmark.
→ This blogpost in Danish language
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