Planetary IQ Prerequisite for a Shared Vision on Our Planet’s Future: Can We Align and Engineer Ourselves out of the Tragedy of Commons?

Abstract

Uniting on a common vision for the management of our Planet’s future environment remains a formidable challenge. Prophecies and visions warning for an impoverished and overexploited future planet have thus far made little difference for man’s choices and decisions on the development of Earth’s finite natural resources. Exponential growth of nearly every usage of our natural resources continues unabated, although the unfolding of an environmental tragedy is increasingly well documented and becomes harder to deny. The basic message of past visionaries is reinforced in this essay. Some of us argue that the cost of environmental engineering is simply too high. Others point out that the deferred cost due to irresponsible engineering of our environment will be even higher. The development of a higher Planetary IQ is postulated here as a prerequisite for the adoption of a globally shared vision for our planet’s future. The absence of such a shared vision for our planet’s future will stand firmly in the way of developing and implementing the various strategic targets (e.g., biodiversity conservation & GHG emission control) proposed by major institutions to establish a sustainable future for mankind. Game theory and decision-making tools can suggest possible outcomes of multi-stakeholder processes, but in reality the probability of successfully engineering our future remains highly uncertain - if not utopia. The Planetary IQ Society is launched to stimulate the development of shared visions and solutions for a sustainable future.