Mohammed Saaida António José Rodrigues Rebelo

António José Rodrigues Rebelo

Rethinking "National Interest" for Global Well-being and Environmental Protection

In the face of global challenges like climate change, it is crucial to rethink the concept of "national interest" to prioritize global well-being and environmental protection. Traditionally, national interest has focused on economic growth, military strength, and geopolitical power. However, climate change transcends national borders, affecting ecosystems, economies, and societies worldwide. Here’s why and how national interest should be redefined:

Interconnectedness of Environmental and Economic Stability: Environmental degradation and climate change pose significant risks to economic stability, public health, and security. Prioritizing global well-being and environmental protection can lead to sustainable economic growth and reduce the costs associated with climate-related disasters.

Shared Responsibility and Collective Action: Climate change is a global problem that requires collective action. Nations must recognize their shared responsibility in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable practices. International cooperation, rather than unilateral action, becomes essential for effective climate mitigation and adaptation.

Long-term National Security: Environmental issues such as resource scarcity, extreme weather events, and climate-induced migration can threaten national security. By investing in global environmental protection, nations can mitigate these risks and ensure long-term security and stability.

Technological and Economic Opportunities: Embracing green technologies and sustainable practices opens new economic opportunities. Nations that lead in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green innovation can gain a competitive advantage in the emerging global green economy.

Moral and Ethical Imperatives: There is a moral imperative to protect the planet for future generations. Prioritizing global well-being aligns with ethical considerations of justice and equity, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.

Implementing a New Vision of National Interest

1. Policy Integration: Governments should integrate environmental considerations into all aspects of national policy, including economic planning, defense, and foreign policy. Environmental sustainability should be a key criterion in decision-making processes.

2. International Agreements: Strengthening international agreements like the Paris Agreement and ensuring their robust implementation can facilitate coordinated global action. Nations should commit to ambitious climate targets and collaborate on technology transfer and financial support for developing countries.

3. Education and Public Awareness: Increasing public awareness and understanding of the global nature of environmental issues can build support for policies that prioritize global well-being. Education systems should emphasize sustainability and the interconnectedness of environmental and human health.

4. Corporate Responsibility and Innovation: Encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices and invest in green technologies can drive economic growth while protecting the environment. Public-private partnerships can foster innovation and spread sustainable practices.

5. Resilient and Adaptive Systems: Developing resilient infrastructure and adaptive systems can help nations cope with the impacts of climate change. Investing in disaster preparedness, sustainable agriculture, and water management can enhance national and global resilience.

Conclusion

Rethinking national interest to prioritize global well-being and environmental protection is essential in addressing the existential threat of climate change. By recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental health, economic stability, and security, nations can work together towards a sustainable future that benefits all. This shift requires a comprehensive approach that includes policy integration, international cooperation, public engagement, corporate responsibility, and resilience building.

The key to your question Mohammed Saaida is the evolutionary direction of the dominant monetary system. Principally, the current monetary agency can create infinite fiat credit money, while our physical resources are finite; this money creation is driven by private commercial banks and central bank policy, i.e. a next generation economic system would require sustainable monetary agency.

Ref/.

https://philpapers.org/archive/TERSMA.pdf

https://philarchive.org/rec/TERSMA

Dear Mohammed Saaida

Congratulations for your interesting question.

I can see a troublesome issue in your concept, namely who would be liable if national interest - in the sense you are presenting here - was not correctly secured? When it comes to borders - it is government that is liable for keeping them secured. In case of "global changes failure" whou would be liable in your opinion?

In any event the topic is worth discussing.

Best regards, K.