The Looming Choice: From Globalization to Planetarization
Future historians may well question the priorities of the mid-2020s, a period marked by unprecedented investment in military preparedness alongside a critical neglect of collective action against escalating planetary threats. Currently, nearly $3 trillion is allocated annually to defense – a sum that could substantially fund the decarbonization of economies, adaptation to climate change, and the preservation of biodiversity.
Instead of building upon the cooperative foundations of globalization to address shared planetary challenges, the trend is towards fragmentation. This manifests as a re-engineering of globalization characterized by increased barriers: walls, tariffs, and a renewed arms race. This “barbed-wire globalization” acknowledges continued human interdependence, but seeks to manage relations through competing spheres of influence, effectively diminishing the planet’s prominence in political discourse.
As Sophocles cautioned,pursuing paths leading to ruin can appear justifiable to those misled. Obsessing over geopolitical power while disregarding the absolute limits of planetary boundaries is demonstrably shortsighted. A new framework is required – one beyond globalization, termed “planetarization” – recognizing the preservation of our fragile world as a basic prerequisite for all other endeavors. Opportunities to advance this perspective exist within upcoming international forums, such as the United Nations Climate change Conference (COP30) in Belém, brazil, despite the recent setbacks in negotiations concerning plastic pollution in our oceans. However, the timeframe for effective action is rapidly diminishing.
The argument that scientific and technological innovation offers a pathway to overcome these challenges is frequently presented. Progress in areas like artificial intelligence,biotechnology,renewable energy,and advanced materials inspires optimism. However, ancient precedent offers a sobering counterpoint. The early 20th century witnessed revolutionary scientific advancements that ultimately preceded a period of devastating depression, the rise of fascism, and a global war fueled by those very technologies. The Manhattan Project, for example, yielded nuclear weapons before harnessing atomic energy for peaceful applications; advancements in fertilizer production concurrently enabled the creation of chemical weapons.Today, similar dynamics are at play. While AI and other breakthroughs hold transformative potential, history suggests military applications will likely take precedence. A clear indicator lies in budgetary allocations: defense spending significantly outweighs investment in climate solutions. the core danger isn’t technological failure, but rather the prioritization of conflict over collective survival.
This historical juncture differs critically from past turning points – there are no second chances. Resources are finite, the remaining carbon budget is shrinking rapidly, and planetary boundaries are increasingly strained. The choice is stark: either globalization devolves into a militarized system of competing blocs consumed by trade wars, cultural conflicts, and outright warfare, or humanity embraces ”planetarization” and proactively pursues strategies for shared survival with dignity.
