Century of Crossroads
The 21st century is a Century of Crossroads. This is a century that will present tremendous upheaval and crises, some of which (like the climate crisis) have already commenced.
However, the idea of the crossroads is important. There are personal and collective choices that present themselves every single moment of every single day, by which we can change our futures.
The idea of a Century of Crossroads is similar to the “polycrisis,” which also describes the overlapping and cascading sets of dilemmas now facing humanity. These include environmental challenges such climate change, biodiversity collapse, and environmental destruction, as well as social and political crises such as global conflict, great power tensions, the cost of living, and the destructive consequences of run-amok technology.
For me, however, the concept of the polycrisis does not adequately capture that time is of the essence. A “polycrisis” could last for centuries, but we do not have centuries to stop global warming, biodiversity collapse, or social and political challenges. We have years at most, and within those years, every single day matters.
The Century of Crossroads is also a reminder that the challenges confronting our societies are grave. Poor choices will lead to catastrophic outcomes. Humanity has never experienced anything akin to the projected levels of warming this century, or the overlapping and concurrent collapse of biodiversity. In tandem with these challenges, countries possess weapons with incredible destructive power. Cooperation, dialogue, and international law are struggling to remain relevant. It is imperative not to underestimate these challenges.
Nevertheless, there is a different way. Those of us working to change the direction of the future must work for a vision built on resilience, strength, and greater transformation. We have to have the conviction and the courage to walk another road, and to show others that there are other paths.
The crossroads is constant and ever-present. The crossroads is political and social, but it is also personal and spiritual. Perhaps the greatest choice is within—the personal choice to walk a different path. Too many people believe that the polycrisis will not affect them and that it is not their responsibility. This is false.
Where should we head to? What road should we walk? I like the idea of the symbiocene. I also like the concept of “Buen Vivir” from Andean Indigenous legal thought, although the concept has come under criticism for being co-opted. I like the idea that our governments and societies must prioritize a harmonious equilibrium between nature, people, and society, a concept found in Article 8 of the 2022 Draft Chilean Constitution. A different path exists. Different choices can be made. The Century of Crossroads will not be pleasant. But some roads are better than others.