One of the greatest challenges we face as humanity in the 21st century is to decarbonize the global economy as quickly as possible to slow down climate change – while ensuring that we do not increase social inequalities in the process. To do this, we need to cooperate across borders, social groups and cultures. For this we need mutual trust.
However, I am concerned that we currently lack trust between nations and even within nations. I am also deeply concerned about the growth of populist and nationalist movements that oppose international cooperation in many countries around the world, including in Germany and the United States. I believe that this is a symptom of the fact that many people do not feel seen and heard by large parts of their own societies and by political leadership. In other words, it’s a question of mutual trust.
I believe that interest in and compassion for those who are different from us is an important prerequisite for building trust, and therefore for cooperation. If we don’t care about people who are different from us, it is difficult to build the trust that is essential for cooperation.
Therefore, in order to create lasting global cooperation, it is important to show concern for those who are different from us – including those who live near us, as well as those who live far away. If we fail to build trust within our own societies, a single political election or change in leadership can undermine the confidence of our international partners and roll back years of progress in international negotiations and treaties that serve our shared long-term interests. Conversely, if we fail to build trust with other nations by shutting down, we can’t count on their support when we need it.
What else drives my interest in the topic of compassion?
Compassion can extend not only to people who are different from us, but also to other non-human species. As humans, we are a species of animals and share many traits and capacities with other species. Many non-human animals are able to experience the joy of social connection and the pain of separation that we also experience. This is especially true of other mammals.
When I first saw documentaries about the conditions of factory farming in Europe, the U.S. and Japan, I was both shocked and saddened to see how the well-being of animals on these farms seemed to be neglected.
The poor treatment of non-human animals by humans and the resulting suffering is a much neglected social justice issue. The development of alternative protein sources and the growth of plant-based diets will go a long way toward reducing this suffering. However, I believe it is important that compassion for animals, and not just economic or environmental concerns, remains a key motivation for this change.
I originally published this blog post in the year 2024. If my opinion changes significantly, I will publish a new version and link to it, but leave this one online for documentation.