Make the Academic Revolution Happen by Friends of Wisdom
Pitch
In order to solve all of our global problems - including climate change - academia needs to devote itself to seeking and promoting wisdom.
Description
Summary
For decades Nicholas Maxwell has been arguing that we need a revolution in the aims and methods of academic inquiry (re:http://knowledgetowisdom.org). All of our modern global problems - including climate change and barriers to understanding the associated risk - have arisen largely because of the lack of this revolution. We need people all over the globe to implement the things that need to change to make the revolution happen (seehttp://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom/whatneedstochange).
The Philosopher's Magazine called this one of the 50 best ideas of the century, but sadly (for reasons detailed in From Knowledge to Wisdom: A Revolution for Science and the Humanities, 2007), it has been ignored by most academics. As a matter of supreme urgency, the need for revolution has to become well known and change has to happen now.
Category of the action
Changing public perceptions on climate change
What actions do you propose?
Found local chapters of Friends of Wisdom at schools across the world (e.g.http://uoftfriendsofwisdom.org) and have them spread awareness and implement what needs to change. Also get other grassroots organizations - such as 350 - to do the same.
Who will take these actions?
Primarily people in schools (e.g. university students and faculty) but anyone can do this.
Where will these actions be taken?
Everywhere. Particulary schools and community centers.
How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?
What are other key benefits?
Solving all global issues. (This is a "silver buckshot" idea).
Consequently, the revolution will be of interest to more people than just those afraid of climate change, and through participation in things such as seminars/symposiums "devoted to the sustained discussion of fundamental problems that cut across all academic boundaries" (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom/whatneedstochange), more people will learn about the climate crisis.
What are the proposal’s costs?
Potentially free.
The only possible costs I can foresee are for marketing and to develop websites for "national shadow governments"* and the "virtual world government" (see the list of "what needs to change" linked to above), but this could be an open source project.
*Perhaps websites for national shadow governments could be somewhat similar tohttp://onlineparty.ca
Time line
Now and forever.
Related proposals
This proposal could also be entered into the local solutions contest and the adaptation and civil society groups contest.
References
See above.
By:
Friends of Wisdom
