Digital Democracy for Climate Action: Everyone, Everywhere All At Once
The urgency of addressing climate change and its devastating consequences demands a proactive and inclusive approach. While progress has been slow, primarily relying on government and business actions, we must find a better way to harness the collective drive of The People for a sustainable future. The transformation required to mitigate climate change necessitates the participation of all people worldwide, and an inclusive approach is paramount.
The orchestration of sustainable practices and technologies within communities involving the behaviour of 8 billion individuals is crucial. We have learned from history that religion, finite resource-based capitalism, and autocracy are insufficient in motivating the necessary cooperation and enthusiasm. Instead, a self-driven approach is essential, and democratic processes have consistently proven successful in this regard.
The digital revolution has provided us with the tools to mobilise the needs, informed consent, and human capital of 8 billion people toward achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Technology facilitates the connection of individuals on a large scale, enabling both bottom-up and top-down civic participation. Traditional power hierarchies are being reshaped as digitisation transforms the dynamics of power.
Creating a more democratic and fair internet by developing data cooperatives and digital commons while addressing social media polarisation will foster greater participation. Empowering communities to organize online and directly engage with their representatives will help those same representatives advocate for effective climate laws.