Towards building a new civilisation

What we have in front of us is an unprecedented opportunity, and historical chance to make the paradigm shift that humanity desperately needs. We need it because science tells us we do, because our conscience tell us we can't do without it. 2015 has already demonstrated a continuous building up of momentum towards something big: a historical UN conference on climate change that has the potential to redefine humanity's destiny. 

Earlier this year, following on from Davos, many global businesses came together to call on governments to agree to a net zero carbon goal by 2050. Investors are being more proactive in disclosing the carbon footprint of their portfolios, choosing to decarbonise their investments, and some are going as far as publicly announcing that they are divesting from fossil fuels. During their last meeting, the G7 sent an unmistakable message of commitment to decarbonise the economy by the end of the century. But this is not all. People of all faiths have loudly and clearly welcomed the strong message coming from the Papal Encyclical on ecology in June, calling on world leadership to urgently take action on climate change. We can't ask for any clearer sign that the time is ready, that the time is now.

The paradigm shift that we need is a radical change that requires us to move away from the excessive and selfish lifestyle we have been led to believe was the most satisfying, (but in reality it is based on egoistic and unjust exploitation of resources and of human capital) to a lifestyle based on selflessness, of fair and just opportunities, that can lead us to what I have been calling a global destination.

We know that continuing with business as usual is not an option anymore:  it is as unfair as it is unjust, and if left unchecked will take us to an irreversible process of self-destruction. But it is not too late. We have the opportunity to act; many businesses are already demonstrating their willingness to do so. Additionally, each one of us can make a difference in our daily lives, knowing that small action makes a big difference. And collectively, we can ask our representatives to take a bold stand later this year when they will meet to decide on a crucial agreement that can take us on track to transition to a low carbon economy.

In particular, this agreement must be both long-term in its aspiration of setting a decarbonisation – or net zero – goal, as well as to have regular short-term review cycles to ensure that progress is on track. The agreement must also underpin the just transition to a low carbon economy and green jobs creation by being grounded in sound equity principles. Achieving this net zero goal is the only just, rational, and humane way forward.

It is sensible because it will revert the trend of economic development and investment being coupled with carbon emissions. It will present an opportunity to allow for local entrepreneurship to flourish, by stimulating creative transformative initiatives that will provide the ground for a sustainable and just development. The present exclusively profit-focused, job-oriented, planet threatening, income-wealth gap-widening civilisation has to come to an end, and the seeds of a new civilisation must be sown now. We'll have to put the guideposts to take us to that civilisation. 

In order to do that, I am proposing a comprehensive global destination in terms of three zeros. These three zeros are to be achieved by 2050: zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emission. All global activities should be framed around achieving these three goals. Each global player may publish reports on each country, each year on the progress made on getting closer to achieving each zero. This will set the transition process in motion from the present civilisation to the new civilisation. 

These zeros can be reached with four basic strategies. 

First, by unleashing the creative power and commitment of the youth. Today's youth has the power to bring dramatic changes in the world, if we encourage them and facilitate their initiatives to play their role. The present generation of young people is the forerunner of the generation of the most powerful generation in human history because of the enormous technology in their hands. We have to get them engaged in creating the world they wish to live in, and pass on to the next generation. 

The second strategy would be to focus on technological innovations to solve human problems. Combining the force of youth with the force of technology can become unbeatable. But unfortunately, technology has always remained under the command of money-makers and war-makers. We need to bring in a new class of players on the playing field of technology who will create new technology exclusively for solving social problems and adapt the existing technology for the same purpose, without any thought of making personal money out of this. The sooner the socially committed players take charge of technology, the faster the world will reach the three zeros. 

This brings us to the third strategy, building up social businesses by mobilising creative power to solve long-standing complicated social, economic, and environmental problems in sustainable ways. Social business is a new variety of business which delinks itself from any desire to make personal profit out these businesses. They are mission-driven businesses. They are non-dividend companies exclusively devoted to solving human problems. I have been creating and promoting this type of business around the world with great results. 

Even as we tackle the climate challenge, we must also help bring empowering energy services to the 1.2 billion people who lack access to electricity and the almost 3 billion who cook on polluting, unhealthy stoves. A comprehensive and compassionate response to climate change requires us to help the world's poorest gain access to sustainable energy solutions so that they can improve their lives while avoiding the dirty energy path that developed countries followed.

I created Grameen Shakti (energy) almost 20 years ago, to bring clean solar power to light and communication technology to the villages across Bangladesh. Our efforts exceeded everyone's expectations, with the millionth solar home system installed in 2013. Grameen Shakti's work continues to expand – in the next two years we anticipate reaching 2 million families with these life-transforming systems. But there is much more work to be done to reach the UN's global goal of universal access to energy - hopefully they mean clean energy - by 2030. Building a green economy by breaking free from fossil fuel addiction is the smartest and most efficient way to create new engines of sustainable growth and job creation for the next generations.

The fourth strategy is to ensure good governance in government, global governance, business world, civil society, and to uphold human rights all along the way, without fail. 

It is about creating a healthier society, built on the recognition of a moral obligation to let selflessness to come into full play, and restrain selfishness and business as usual, to initiate a process of transformational change. We are the generation that is responsible for putting in motion this trans-generational change. 

It is our moral responsibility to act. We must act because we care.

The writer is a Nobel Peace Prize winning economist and banker.