This is already upon all governments. As they scramble to handle the impossibility of creating growth by adopting the same economic and business paradigms, it is slowly becoming clearer that change is upon us. Not only does elite cornering of wealth make an economy unsustainable, it also leads to skewing of debates on public policy. When governments realise that they cannot continue in the same vein, they will realise that the new paradigm involves as much clean energy as it does clean governance.

Without the lobbying pressures of the fossil-fuel lobby, it would have been the easiest policy to adopt in trying and influencing cost-effective renewables technologies. But, now that there seems to be a focus on fosil fuels as the only way to keep people employed, those governments which want to take the easy way out will be left with no argument when their 19th century labour and industry models are not able to sustain growth. The booming stock market is what camouflages the shaky foundation of crony capitalism at present. When this camouflage is pulled off, there will be nothing but wasted years and wasted potential.

The only way governments will accept drastic measures to change anything is if politicians realize that it is in their political interest to do so. Politicians will overwhelmingly make decisions and apply pressure for change in accordance with what will get them reelected. I don't think governmental systems or processes will be the catalyst for the kinds of drastic change we need to happen. It will need to originate from society. Attitudes will need to radically shift in relation to our natural world before policies and money follows suit. Unfortunately, shifts in attitudes and worldviews tend to take place only gradually and incrementally. To galvanize world opinion in favor of placing environmental concerns at the forefront, ultimately I think we will need to experience a series of natural disasters. Perhaps then, people will have no choice but to pay attention.