Hello Stefan. I very much share your view on the strong inertial tendencies of loosely coupled economic, social and political systems and the fact that part of the solution requires deep structural changes. However, you advocate for education while recognizing that such an approach can only produce effects in the long-term. How much of a solution is that given the urgency of the current situation? Even if education is a required to prepare the long-term, how do we change educational programs, themselves deeply inscribed in and constrained by institutional, cultural, social and political structures?

Hello Benoit,

one of the main ideas of my essay is the insight that it is hardly possible to solve the crisis right now. I think it would be a mistake to take measures and to expect sustainable effects in the short term. So I advocate for a long term solution that helps to change the causes, not only the effects of the crisis. Of course, this should be accompanied by other measures that help to reduce the effects, e.g. food- and development programs for strong affected areas.

I agree with you when you ask “how do we change educational programs”, but – this may sound a little bit paradoxical – you already give the answer yourself. Each one of us can add something. It is you, me, your friends, future teachers, students and everyone else who can change the programs, by discussions, by projects in school etc. It may help to produce kind of social meaning. That is why I pointed out the role and potential of mass media support (think of the increasing role of the climate protection).

Unfortunately, this becomes more difficult, as the youth of today has to deal with other urgent problems considering each one´s own future and welfare. This development makes a lot of people think that their own life or survival is more urgent than something abstract like food and energy crisis. But it would be a mistake to give up too early, and it would be another mistake to deal only with each one´s own individual problems. We still have the oportunity to handle the problem in a voluntary way, and i hope that we take this chance. Because if not, one day it might be necessary to have a school subject “energy saving” – imagine that.
The idea ist that we have much more opportunities now, in a voluntary way. Maybe in this way i agree with your essay, Benoit. I will think about it!

Greetings

Stefan

Hello Stefan and thanks a lot for your reply. Your perspective is very interesting to me. In particular, the notion that "it is hardly possible to solve the crisis right now". What, in your opinion, will happen once oil will become so scarce that its cost will be prohibitive to most people and businesses? Also, shall we just let the biofuel-driven food crisis happen, given its consequences? It seems to me that there are rather accessible legal measures (for example) to governments.

Kind regards,

Benoit

Hey! I do hope that education is a powerful tool. But I don't see it is the solution.. I also doubt weather the sub-systems are really that isolated. I mean economics, media, politics.. all so intertwined?! And in some countries, education is very politicized too.. I don't see how it can become a unified positive force..
Best,Aiste