The Livable Planet

 

While perhaps a small crime in comparison to his much more flagrant offenses, Trump’s decision to pave over the White House rose garden stood out to me as a massive symbol of his worldview. If Trump had it his way, he’d pave over all living things to build golf courses, resorts and casinos. He’d wipe out The Everglades to build prisons. He’d cut down all our forests to make a few people rich. Since his followers agree, and they have the power and resources to act, this anti-nature agenda is coming hard and fast, and the window of opportunity to change direction is closing.

Though I’m not convinced that he fully understands it, Trump sold his followers on a vision. He called it a “Golden Age” of prosperity. But as his policies play out, and as his smarter enablers scheme, it is increasingly clear that he is steering us towards a techno-capitalist dystopia. In this world, wealth accumulation comes first, so there are few winners and many losers, necessitating the perpetuation of war and harsh punishment: keeping people always on edge, in a state of paranoia.  The intrinsic value of living things is not recognized in this world, so one must “prove” to be useful or worthy. With automation looming, the working person would have no such value in this scenario, and nature is merely an impediment to progress.

Trump’s daily misdeeds keep his adversaries in perpetual panic, tenaciously pursuing each new indiscretion before there is even time to process the last. The result? He is distracting us and wearing us out. Suppressing at least some of our oppositional tendencies to reallocate energy towards developing our own version of the future is not just a smart move politically, it will inspire us. Allow me to give this version of the future a name: the livable planet.

In this vision, nature is not in the way of progress but is placed at the very center of all decision making. Nature is not in conflict with humanity but is instead woven into the very fabric of society. From this, all good things follow. Quality of life is elevated over the accumulation of material goods. Health is elevated over wealth. Compassion for others leads to diplomacy and restorative justice. Meeting basic needs like housing, food, and energy is paramount, but nature and human health are not regularly sacrificed to achieve it. Creativity and innovation are encouraged to build the livable planet. So, while it is cooperative and nurturing, it is also bold: a different interpretation of peace through strength.

The economy is changing. Whether we like it or not, business as usual cannot continue. The urgency to choose the direction our society takes is being magnified by the rise of AI and the Trumpian vision on one end, and by the time-sensitive acceleration of the climate and biodiversity crises on the other.  I urge my fellow progressives to promote the livable planet wherever we go. That way, when the MAGA’s path of destruction comes to an end, and it will, we’ll be there with a plan to repair it.