The Titanic Syndrome

Greta Thunberg is out to save the planet and is making a difference. She has attracted a worldwide following thanks to her unassuming persona, her grit, moral integrity and do-or-die message. Yesterday she spoke on Swedish public service radio, in the popular program “Sommar”. You can listen to her English langage broadcast “Humanity has not yet failed failed” below.

Her message is “listen to the science”. When she was invited to testify before the US Congress last year, a most enviable opportunity to spread her message, her opening statement was brief: “I am submitting this report as my testimony because I don’t want you to listen to me, I want you to listen to the scientists.” Period. The report in question is the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees C.

Greta is right about the need to listen to the scientists. But it is not enough. Ever since the British philosopher David Hume wrote his A Treatise of Human Nature in 1740 we have become more and more aware of the fact that emotions are the primary drivers of human behaviour…and thoughts. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt puts it this way: humans are emotional beings with reason, not rational beings with emotions. This insight is a game changer.

So if we want tackle the climate crisis, we must not only listen to science but we must also listen to ourselves, and engage in serious talk with one another about our concerns and fears - not only about the crisis generally - but about the sacrifices it will demand from each one of us in forging radically scaled-back lifestyles. And we must also talk about this issue in our workplaces and organisations so that these also can rise to this daunting challenge and contribute with sustainable solutions.

In management litterature there is a term called “Titanic Syndrome.” It refers to a corporate disease “in which organizations facing disruption create their own downfall through arrogance, excessive attachment to the past, or an inability to recognize the new and emerging reality.” The attitude is basically: “If we’re going down, we might as well go first class.”

Have we all been smitted by the Titanic Syndrome? Who would turn down an upgrade to first class? Or who would willingly downgrade to second or third? But that is precisely what will be required of each and everyone of us if we seriously intend to save the planet for our children and grandchildren. The stakes are huge and our fears on par. That is why we need to process these fears individually and collectively.

I will be selling my car tomorrow. I live in the city centre of Lund and there are good public transport options here. I know that this will involve many inconveniences. I am a little worried about these and my kids (14 and 12 years old) have already taken me to the task for this decision. How will they get to all their activities and friends? Let’s give it a try a see. It’s worth it.