Planetary Health: “The Third Industrial Revolution” by Jeremy Rifkin (an adviser to Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany)begins by outlining the grim prospects for our health at the planetary level if dramatic change is not affected soon. Rifkin says our environment is giving us a wake up call that we must heed:
The warming of our earth causes water and health related challenges: Greenhouse gases like Carbon Dioxide, Methane and others block the heat from rising off the earth) resulting in increasing temperatures worldwide. For every one percent the temperature goes up, the atmosphere sucks up seven percent more moisture resulting in extreme water events including droughts, wild-fires, hurricanes etc
Will impact all life on earth: This flooding and water related mayhem will also result in a paucity of fresh water.Global warming also impacts wildlife. At current rates we could lose 50 percent of our animal species in seven decades.
Healthier and sustainable fuel resources can provide a sound basis for a less
polluted future. The so-called third industrial revolution is expected to usher in a dramatic increase in wind and solar power that is cleaner and which will allow people to generate their own power from freely available wind, sun, waves or river currents.
Healthy transportation trends should increase use of rented and/or driverless cars. Most of these cars will be electric as well.
Collaborative media solutions such as the Internet will increase access to health information, empowering individuals to take better control of their own health. Videoconference and online payment solutions will make it easier for people to collaborate and share health information as well as consult wellness providers.
The Internet will result in an upsurge of healthier social entrepreneurship through social networks. We are shifting from ownership to a healthier emphasis on access (with a new take on poverty, people may choose to rent high ticket items as needed.
A new cost consciousness for a new era. With the reduced emphasis on capital costs (fewer expensive cars gathering dust in the garage) people may spend more on organic or pesticide free foods, physical trainers, yoga classes for health etc.
Consumerism to sustainability: Corporate marketing cultures have focused on promoting consumerism without addressing larger issues like values or sustainability. Companies may also want to be seen as responsible entities.
Market capital to social capital: Companies will make more efforts to develop social capital that addresses larger societal issues and hence win esteem of their markets.
There is reason to hope as young people are changing:
– Freedom now means more choice (it previously meant autonomy.)
– Power no longer needs pyramid control it now means more influence.
– Community now means people banding together to compete.
– Shifting from Geopolitics to a greater ecology consciousness.
– Young people are more likely to ask questions. They are learning about their ecological footprint. Everything impacts everything else.
– Less energy use: People are beginning to produce more energy on the one hand and on the other use less of it.
– Animal rights: As people understand that what goes around comes around they also become aware of animal rights. This will reduce per
capita consumption of meat which will positively impact obesity.
– Not for profit trends: As conventional full time employment shifts
towards part-time and social services, not for profits (providing 10 % of
jobs currently) are employing more people and beginning to provide
more services for fees.
– Agriculture: What we need is more organic agriculture. Agriculture also
uses a lot of water that should be available locally. Hence rainwater
harvesting/ rooftop tanks.
– Utility Management: One of the biggest problems in the world are
deficiencies of water and electricity. One billion people have little or no
water. There is a strong link between the empowerment of women and
the availability of water or power. Many women are now setting up
micro grids that will improve the health of their families.
The emerging third industrial revolution is expected to facilitate greater individual
control of wellness. This will allow people to spend more or wellness earlier in their
lives.