Acting on the call for “systems change, not climate change”

Sam Butler-Sloss @SamButl3r ,YLDP alumnus, explains the need for systemic action on climate change.

After decades of talking about climate change, emissions are still rising, the planet is still warming and the gap between what needs to be done and what is being done remains dangerously wide.

As a wholly inadequate level of action has persisted, it has taken young people to stand up and say the current efforts are simply not enough - they do not begin to meet the scale of the challenge humanity faces. While youth movements around the globe are only just beginning, they have already initiated giant steps forward: broadening and intensifying the climate coalition; ringing the alarm bells to those yet to wake up; and bringing the public support for bold climate action ever closer to a ‘critical mass’.

For many, this year has been a striking reminder of young people’s capacity to be at the forefront of social change. We have shown that we have the expectations and ambitions for a better, cleaner and fairer world that far outshine those who are currently at the helms of power. It is in this same spirit that Economics for Change is bringing young people together to advocate for an economy that enables both the people and the planet to flourish, and to engage in the big ideas that could get us there.It is often easy for us to feel overwhelmed, but at the centre of Economics for Change’s narrative is the idea that whilst the challenges are certainly demanding, the opportunities they present are enormous.

To overcome these great societal challenges requires us to transform our economy–and the climate challenge gives a decade to do so. A decade to redesign how we produce, consume and share in the 21st century. The chance to fundamentally redesign society does not come about often, and with it, comes the once in a lifetime opportunity to redraw a better world.The support for fundamental redesign is embodied by those calling for “systems change, not climate change”. And the case for systems change has never been stronger, as the economic consensus fractures and the dated principles that defined our economy expire, a space is opening up in which a new era is emerging.This new era is generating new norms, new business models, new energy sources and new ideas of shared prosperity. It is outcompeting today’s system and is paving the path to a wellbeing economy. Yet the question remains, will this change happen fast enough?

With this in mind, Economics for Change has joined the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) to help establish a WEAll Youth Working Group in Scotland. The working group will address the central question, “how can young people catalyse the transition to a more humane and sustainable Scotland?” Building on all the great work that is already being done, we want to identify where the gaps lie and what are the pressure points to achieve change that we should target.There’s no doubt that we are approaching a paradigm shift between a system built on extraction, exploitation and exhaustion and one that is regenerative, circular and inclusive. And this is exactly where we think young people can come together and have a catalytic effect. We must acknowledge our assets: our votes hold power; our voices form new narratives; and our connectivity brings untamable potential to mainstream new ideas and paradigms with the urgency that does these challenges justice.Sure, fundamental redesign is no modest task but it holds the keys to transforming our future; to keeping us within a 1.5 degree world; and to enabling all humans to live a prosperous and dignified life. As young people, we have the most to gain and the most at risk. This is no dress rehearsal, there will be no second chance. The time to come together to drive systemic change is now–we would be mad not to seize this opportunity.

This August Economics for Change and WEAll Scotland will be establishing the WEAll Scotland Youth Working Group. If you share our passion for an economy that serves people & planet and want Scotland to lead the way, get in touch at scotland@wellbeingeconomy.org.