Clean energy technologies Research Papers (original) (raw)

This paper explores the case for system change as theorised by the idealist/humanist tradition in International Relations theory with the most explicit example of Alexander Wendt’s constructivism, as the difficult to accomplish, yet creative solution to the climate crisis. The paper aims to offer an innovative, original account of the climate crisis based on studies of specific authors within constructivism, international political economy and philosophy. The paper excels in examining the significance of a complex issue that has been 'a tough nut to crack' as clearly as possible summarizing a lot of complex information into a well-organized synthesis of ideas by relying on meditative flow followed by objective analysis and policy recommendations. Climate change is persistent just as the predominant theory of International Relations, Realism, is. To solve it, scholars have to change paradigm. Although among the top leadership, progress within the existing global climate governance architecture is steadily proceeding in averting the worst security impacts of climate change by attempting to significantly reduce global carbon emissions, there is also a common perception among societies that action happening within the system is disappointingly slow, even considered ineffective. Despite the existence of several solutions such as: 1) climate negotiations within the system of global governance focused on significantly reducing global carbon emissions, 2) the commitment within the private sector, that is, a hundred companies in the world that produced 70 percent of the world’s emissions, 3) introducing of the carbon tax, 4) reforming capitalism, 5) giving more credibility to the scientific community and scientific solutions and 6) politicising the issue to the point when people can vote for climate leaders who make climate as the number one priority; none of the above offers a sufficiently comprehensive or lasting solution. The idea is to introduce radical solutions that could have a massive, exponential impact. The unconventional solution offers a more spontaneous way out of the problem. The research problem is the most profound issue humanity has ever attempted to solve in the history of civilization, arguably requiring a complete transformation of the system. It comes down to the conscious evolution of human species to act in time since the climate clock will soon be surpassing tipping points which make humanity close to transgressing planetary boundaries after which cataclysmic climate change occurs alongside the increased risk of conflicts over water, migration crises, food shortages and humanitarian disasters. Paper consist of an introduction, the chosen method, educational research on creativity is explained; a brief overview of constructivism where the possibility of system’s transformation is explained; an overview of the system change theory; an evaluation of whether system change is a viable way forward; plus section explaining pathways of advancing civilization to the next level followed by conclusions. A major, analytical finding is that with people’s power inspired by hope even the most difficult, seemingly impossible is possible. Agency, the capacity to make things happen to envision and enact change, can bend and shove the structure. The majority of people have bought into the false idea that we have to serve, and behave, and be enslaved else chaos will engulf the world. We need to carry out objective analysis of the situation to the point where people believe in change and make change happen. If the majority of people continue as up to this point, then the fate of the whole planet might be in peril. Why are so many so submissive? Why are they so forgiving to gangsterism and horrendous evil done to the planet by the autocratic and corrupted politicians, 'big fish' who impudently swim in the water of the system. The answer may be that the established structure of the system is not only very entrenched but also increasingly sophisticated in its perfection of subliminal mechanisms of control of the people and exploitation of the planet. It is not only through the action or inaction of authoritarian tyrants or grandiose, imperialistic thinking of obsessive dictators or through press releases and the enforced idiocy of television, the drama of the dying world has been turned into a soap opera for most people. People do not understand that climate change is their story and that they will be in one way or another affected by climatic changes. At the end, all will be affected. Earth must be healthy and Nature benign again. Our Lady of Fátima on 13th May 1917 asked for the Consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If Her requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. ''In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.'' (Santos, Fatima in Lucia's Own Words I, 2003: 123–124). There must come a moment for penance, repentance, turning back to God, prayer and belief in salvation of one's soul. Humans cannot be happy without God in our lives. There must come time of global, spiritual awakening, accepting the beauty of the Earth, rejecting militant conquests, enslavement of humanity under repressive doctrines which justify militarily invasions, conforming to rapacious materialism and secularism. There is a need for cleaning up of the system, giving a second chance to the planet, draining of the water, getting rid of the ageing 'big fish' swimming in the dirty water of system - climate-denialist politicians who do not respect the ecological balance with nature. The rise of the movement is inevitable when the machinery or machinations of the unjust structure of the system become so odious, and so exposed that people are willing to strive for change and force the re-evaluation of the situation. The forces of the status quo weaponize gangsters in the system who want to thwart change. As Steffen (2022) noted, ''We need a politics of boldness and possibility, one that brings people and institutions together to achieve spiky successes and strong ruggedization.'' Somebody has to stand against the unfair structure of the system, defend trees, and somebody has to make the point: we disown our past, and we will start living according to our own inner being and create our own future. We will not allow the past to create our future…. And, it could be done by marching for the Earth, claiming our vision, our being, our intuition and acting from that without regret inspired by hope. More recently, a broad array of influential climate action advocates started to demand immediate, disruptive changes to destroy fossil fuel demand and drop emissions in decisive ways. Change comes from the people - to beat a machine, change the structure of the system with a movement. Climate change is a global, multi-generational threat featuring impacts that lie entirely outside anything that modern humanity has ever experienced. Indeed, the most sustainable society is the one which passes forward the best possibilities to future generations. Justifiably, the issue of global climate change has moved to the centre of the international agenda. Actively, rapidly and deliberately driving high-carbon industries out of business is an unavoidable step in every real climate action strategy. Those industries do not deserve our sympathy. It is their own predatory delay over decades that has led to their on-rushing demise. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Address to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on August 16, 1967) reminded, ''the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Change takes a long time, but it does happen. Energy transition from addictive and dirty fossil fuel structures is inevitable. As François Jacob said, ''It is hope that gives life meaning. Hope is based on the prospect of being able one day to turn the actual world into a possible one that looks better.'' Thus, ''let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.'' (Martin Luther King, Jr, “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution.” Speech given at the National Cathedral, March 31, 1968). In the service of the above, this paper constitutes a modest, cutting-edge, interdisciplinary policy-relevant research with the aim of exposing a pertaining political problem through an experiment with Gordian-knot, style-resolved, possible creative solutions leading to cascading dynamics of solution activating momentum.