Unkown Variables
Unknown Futures
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During the past months, many people tended to forget that before the Covid-19 pandemic popped-up and changed everyone’s life with immediate and tremendous impact, the Climate Crisis was perceived as the most dangerous threat. Fridays for Future was a big movement on the verge of not just changing the minds of millions of people but to gain impact on many country’s politics. Despite the current pandemic, Climate Crisis and its effects not just on human living conditions remain the most challenging part of the future. Uncountable calculation models and scenarios have been made and will be made with the aim of predicting one of many possible futures. However, no living being has ever been to the future so far, and therefore no one can tell what the future is going to be like. Humanity can’t wait for the future to change for the better, tomorrow is already the future and the power of change lies in our hands. Therefore shaping it towards lasting living conditions for humans and nature alike, humans need to start today.
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Upcoming Threats
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The Corona Crisis has set the starting point for a new era, coined by fulminant occurring cases of emergency situations. The corona virus most likely won’t be the last virus to endanger the world we know. More threats, some more deadly and others less dangerous, are about the arise. The western hemisphere is confronted with new and until recently unimaginable situations. A total preparation for eventual scenarios cannot be achieved, as the affected domains and institutions are too interlaced and interwoven and nationalist thinking endangers the international community. As drastic changes in societal structures and interpersonal contacts are going to be required more frequently, a reconsideration of the very basis, that serves our economy and society, is inevitable.
The food sector as one of the main parts of a country’s trading, supply and production activities is going to be affected severely. Therefore, a re-structuration of import-export and autonomous production strategies concerning the food sector have to be made. The move towards localization and simplification of the food supply system is capable of providing a sustainable food security with positive side effects on economy, environment and society. The shift towards local food production, processing and distribution is therefore a step into the right direction of an uncertain future.
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The Skywhale
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In a talk by Donna Haraway on her latest book “Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene” at Yale University, she used the “Skywhale” by the Australian artist Patricia Piccinini as an image to illustrate her idea of Contact Zones. Piccini’s work takes on motherhood, reproduction and fertility. The artist herself describes the Skywhale as „a very strong, maternal figure and in some ways I valorize maternal figures in my work, and the strength and beauty that they embody.” (1)
For us, it represents some more ideas. Most of all, that evolution hasn’t come to an end yet. Despite the destructive behavior of the humans, nature is evolving and changing. Whatever cruel impacts our behavior is going to have on this planet, nature goes on in one way or another. In addition, it shows us to look out for new species and above all, to respect and value them and therefore, to value and respect nature. Nature is not made to be exploited by humans, but it provides healthy living conditions for all kinds of living. It is mandatory to remain them intact and/or to restore them, especially in order to master the futures.
Notes:
1. Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore: “The Skywhale Returns to Australia’s Skies, and Its Creator Braces for Impact“, The New York Times, Oct. 17, 2018.
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