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East Meets West on Climate Change || Acharya Prashant, in conversation (2022)
Prakrati
2.7K views
1 year ago
Climate change
Human consciousness
Consumption
Education
Population
Self-inquiry
Technology
Veganism
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that climate change is a man-made crisis that reflects the internal state of human consciousness. He argues that treating environmental issues as external problems to be solved solely through technology is a fragmented approach. While technology can provide temporary relief or buy time, it often creates a false sense of complacency that leads to even higher consumption. The root cause of the crisis lies in the human tendency to equate success and fulfillment with material consumption, driven by a lack of deeper purpose in life. He asserts that unless humanity addresses the core drive for more, remedial actions will remain mere consolations. He highlights that the two fundamental drivers of the environmental crisis are the sheer number of humans and the rising per capita consumption. Acharya Prashant points out that even as population growth slows in developed nations, it is often replaced by a desire for more intensive material prosperity, which maintains a high carbon footprint. True change requires a shift from a consumption-oriented life to one centered on wisdom, compassion, and a lovable purpose. He emphasizes that the current global agreement on consuming more to be happy is an explosive issue that must be addressed to move toward a sustainable future. Acharya Prashant advocates for a fundamental shift in education, moving beyond grades and job security to include self-inquiry and spiritual values. He suggests that students should be encouraged to question the purpose of existence and the need for external status. Furthermore, he links environmental protection to a broader sense of love for all species, criticizing current food choices and the slaughter of animals as indicators of a lack of self-love and ecological awareness. He concludes that only a global community of dedicated educators can foster the consciousness needed to save the planet, as the obstacles are not technological but rooted in human ignorance and lovelessness.