Overcoming our human natures

Can we solve global warming? A pair of cartograms (maps distorted based on the value of some measurement so that countries of high value are increased in size and those of small value are shrunken) shows an alarming situation: the countries that contribute the most to global warming (USA, Europe, China, Japan) are not the ones that will pay for its consequences. That will fall to Africa in the form illness, malnutrition, and flooding. Now compare human nature to what is required to tackle global warming. The devil could not have done a better job.

* We look after ourselves (see above).

* We discount future events (which is why we procrastinate) and the worst of global warming will happen a century from now.

* We deal with problems that affect us directly and global warming effects will be indirect, such as higher food prices.

* We accumulate wealth, which (at least as we've done it so far) contributes to global warming.

* We respond to sudden and drastic changes. Global warming is slow.

* We comprehend tangible and local problems. This is an abstract global problem.

* We deal in order with physical needs (hunger), safety, material wants, and at the bottom of the list is making sure our society is sustainable and making moral choices for future generations. Where the top and the bottom of the list are in conflict, the top will win out.

* It is hard for us to cooperate in large groups and global warming will require an unprecedented degree of cooperation.

Completely bummed yet?

If we are able to overcome the above list and prevent global warming then we can overcome our nature to solve any problem. It's worth trying.