Whatever we call the current historical juncture – polycrisis, rupture or just the possible end of civilisation as we know it – there is growing agreement that the stakes couldn’t be much higher for humanity. Even in atypically fortunate Australia, just recognising and agreeing on the nature and extent of the problems we face would be an achievement.
Coming up with credible-looking responses is a challenge of a different order. But some people are at least trying. Unsurprisingly, given the Trump administration’s role in creating or failing to respond to many of our collective dilemmas – be they military, economic or environmental – we need to look elsewhere for possible solutions.
One reason Canadian prime minister Mark Carney’s recent speech at Davos attracted so much attention was that he drew attention to the nature of the problems we face, even if he was careful not to name its principal source.
