About

Decades of intense effort has not resolved major global challenges such as climate change, deforestation, inequalities and armed conflict. Are the problems just too hard or are we missing something? Perhaps there are blindspots in how the issues are approached that block an effective response. Exploring these blindspots might mean the difference between achieving a sustainable recovery or things getting out of hand.

The think-tank BlindSpot specialises in revealing key opportunities for global sustainability which are conventionally overlooked. Since its launch in 2005 BlindSpot has asked,‘what would be done differently if blindspots were noticed rather than ignored?’ This perspective allows BlindSpot to design and publish new tools for change, with the potential to match the scale and urgency of the challenges. By using these tools, major problems can be reversed, not just reduced.

 The method used at BlindSpot is sometimes called systems thinking, which is a way to handle complex detail without getting lost in it. With suitable tools it is possible to reshape systems to work rather than patching or limiting those that don't work. This is like agreeing a change to the rules of a game rather than trying to direct the players or send them off the field. Globally, the rules of the game can change. Humanity can become climate neutral or better. Nature can be restored. Sustainable economic growth is achievable.

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Strategy

Like many small businesses BlindSpot takes a range of climate-friendly initiatives within its operations. However the key aspect of BlindSpot's climate strategy is its research. BlindSpot has developed uniquely powerful economic tools capable of guiding the world towards a stable climate. Unlike other 'solutions' for climate, these tools do not focus directly on emissions but on making sustainable development economically achievable. This allows the climate problem to be solved without worsening
other problems.

Leading edge climate science shows that the global strategy of just trying to cut emissions hasn't worked. Atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations need to be cut, which is a whole new game. Localised initiatives are not enough. International dialogues on emissions cuts are too slow. There is just one mechanism powerful enough to do the job. That is the global economy, but it should not be constrained - it should be fundamentally switched from causing problems to preventing them. Since climate is indivisible from other major problems it's actually more effective to handle global issues as a whole. This approach offers genuine hope for the future stability of the climate, economy, communities and nature.

BlindSpot's strategy is to share its ground-breaking research with people interested in climate neutrality and other major global goals. Following the publication of this research by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, BlindSpot plans to prepare non-technical briefings for decision-makers and to continue developing further tools. The first briefing for decision-makers, on climate, was completed in April 2008. BlindSpot will present new research in a follow-up NATO Advanced
Research Workshop to be held in Split, Croatia in September 2008. At least two further tools, designed to accelerate a reversal of unsustainable trends with nature, community and poverty, will be published in a new peer-reviewed paper with the provisional title, Rescuing Growth And the Climate. A non-technical briefing will also be available.

Making security and sustainable development economically achievable

Humanity need not remain endangered by its blindspots. Rethinking old assumptions is a bit uncomfortable but it can happen fast. A switch from failing linear economics towards sustainable circular economics could also happen quickly, using tools designed for the job. Suitable tools should be shared without delay, for example by using the international political momentum around climate change. If these tools were in use globally then the speed of response to climate change and other pressing
issues should exceed all expectations based on decades of persistent unsustainability. Imagine a sustainable investment scheme the size of the global economy, creating the conditions to reinvigorate every local economy.

Implementing circular economics requires new economic tools. Key principles of  polluter pays and producer responsibility  can be embedded in markets and overseen by government. A financial incentive can be created for products to be returned after use as a new resource for nature or for people. This would give a level playing field with an expectation that products of all kinds (including energy-related products) should not end up as wastes in the land, water or air. This one incentive could provide for energy and resource efficiency, closed-loop technical infrastructure and reversal of the loss of nature.
Although this incentive is not targeted at climate change, it would spark the necessary
mobilisation without subsidising decoy 'solutions' that make things worse.In the early days of fire insurance, premiums funded fire brigades to stop damage rather than payouts for damage. Today a preventive form of insurance is again ideal for handling problems caused over long periods by numerous players. For example there is no point saving up before a global climate disaster and then offering payouts for damage. Significant producers would be expected to insure the risk that their
products end up as waste in ecosystems. This would stimulate producers to reduce their waste risk by deploying less resources to meet more needs. They would also invest more in product design and industrial, social and ecological capacity to turn used materials into new resources. Producers choosing not to invest would pay higher premiums which add to their costs and fund investments elsewhere. Since all human needs can be met without creating a waste risk the market would move to make
precycled no-waste products the norm. Cooperation with nature and between people would be supported, along with the smallest long-term prices and governmental controls.

The above tool, precycling insurance has been developed at BlindSpot and academically peer-reviewed twice. The second paper, for a NATO Advanced Research Workshop, also outlines a second tool designed to reverse the self-defeating trend of ever greater global spending on weapons and to free up funds for more preventive investments in global security (including climate stability). Weapons-related income could simply be omitted from national economic growth calculations. This would not interfere with national defence yet countries which are able to reduce their dependence on combative problem-solving would be rewarded with higher growth. Nations could signal their peaceful intent by adopting Gross Peaceful Product (GPP), making economic growth a weapon for
peace and security.

If blindspots can be explored and suitable tools put to use then there is hope for a positive and stable future. BlindSpot welcomes all collaborations that help make this happen.

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