In today’s last reflexion on typical causes for delaying, downgrading, or rejecting climate change action, we put the focus on the “free rider” excuse, a member of disruption fear fallacies.
The success of our economy and our progress is based in no small part on the use of fossil fuels, which has brought prosperity and security to many people over the past century. Numerous investments have been made and positions and locational advantages have been consolidated. To comprehensively change this system now is, of course, a risk. Therefore, there is a great fear that hard-earned gains will be put at risk if drastic changes are made.
However, a holistic view of risk must recognise that this change is inevitable for everyone and there is no time for anyone to delay or even sit this out – the risks of inaction are dramatically higher, as is becoming increasingly clear. The need to act quickly is also becoming more and more obvious for all sectors – the population, interest groups, the economy – everyone is now aware that the change is inevitable and the pressure is getting higher and higher. History also shows that great innovations and improvements can only ever be achieved if certain risks are taken – insisting on the established will not give you a head start, certainly not in a world that is clearly changing.
The pathways being developed in KNOWING help to minimise the risks of transition and provide clear direction to different sectors in adapting to the new realities and opening up new opportunities.
