6. Economic, political, psychological : what prevents us from acting ?

The reality of the deterioration of the climate and biodiversity and at the same time of the social equilibrium is no longer disputable and is now obvious to all. The alarms have been raised for 50 years. And yet, individual and collective action and mobilization are slow to take place for psychological, economic and of course political reasons.

Neuroscience and behavioral economics studies show that the human brain naturally erects barriers to block awareness and the implementation of actions likely to halt the ecological transition.

Our behavior is guided by immediate and short-term choices. Other moral or social barriers, as well as the frightening magnitude of the task at hand are obstacles that limit commitment. In the economic arena, the paradoxical injunctions of the market economy and shareholder and financial capitalism create headwinds that can impede action, and contradict decisive choices for a sustainable and inclusive future.

Other contributive economic models, new forms of governance, and in particular mutualism and, more broadly, the social and solidarity economy, open up new horizons. But these obstacles to acting quickly in the general interest and in the direction of Life are not inevitable. We must identify them better in order to overcome them and mobilize for the greater benefit of our common life.

Sign up