I’ve spent years traveling across the world, sitting with indigenous elders, business leaders, politicians, and everyday people. I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of what we so casually call climate change—cracked earth where fertile land once thrived, rivers drying up, species disappearing, and communities left behind, clinging to traditions that are being eroded by forces far beyond their control. Yet, the term itself—"climate change"—feels almost sterile. It removes responsibility. It makes it sound like an inevitable process, something happening to us rather than something we are actively causing.
This is why I believe we need a linguistic shift. This isn’t just climate change. This is human interference.
By calling it what it is, we remove the illusion of separation. We are not just observers of an unraveling world—we are participants. And more than that, we are accountable.
Ubuntu and Our Role in the Tapestry of Life
There’s a conversation I had with the San and Khoi Khoi community in South Africa on one of our G-Audio podcasts that still sits with me today. We spoke about preserving a river for seven generations—a philosophy that each generation is merely a steward, passing it on in better condition than they received it. It’s not just about survival; it’s about legacy.
This idea is deeply rooted in Ubuntu, the African philosophy of interconnectedness—"I am because we are." It reinforces the understanding that our actions ripple through time, affecting lives we will never meet. It’s a sharp contrast to the short-term thinking that dominates much of our modern world. Governments draft policies that extend no further than the next election cycle. Corporations prioritize quarterly profits over sustainability. Even individuals caught up in the demands of daily life rarely consider how their choices impact the unseen billions—human and non-human alike.
If we truly embraced Ubuntu, we wouldn’t see environmental responsibility as an abstract concept, a checkbox for policy summits or social media campaigns. We would see it as an active duty. We wouldn’t ask, "What can governments do?" but instead, "What am I willing to change?"
The Commonwealth and Performative Activism
I had the chance to speak at the Commonwealth Secretariat about the environmental crises facing the member nations. It should have been a defining moment—leaders from across the world coming together to discuss real, tangible solutions. But instead, it felt like activism for the cameras.
There were powerful speeches, carefully crafted statements, nods of agreement—and then, nothing. No real urgency. No decisive action. Just the same cycle of talk, agree and move on. It was frustrating, to say the least.
This is where the language shift is critical. “Climate change” allows for distance. It makes it easy to push the responsibility onto vague, collective entities like governments, corporations, or “future generations.” But human interference places the weight back on us—on every single person, every decision, every action.
What I’ve Seen and Why This Matters Now
I’ve stood on the beaches of island nations where the waterline creeps in year after year, swallowing homes and histories. I’ve walked through forests where the silence is deafening—not because it’s peaceful, but because the wildlife that once filled the air with sound is gone. I’ve seen the remains of once-thriving communities where livelihoods were tied to lands that no longer sustain them.
Everywhere I go, I see proof that this isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a human issue. It’s a cultural issue. It’s a moral issue.
The time for abstract discussions is over. This is not about saving the planet—the Earth will regenerate long after we’re gone. This is about saving our place in the intricate, delicate web of life.
London’s Role in Global Narratives
This is why London is a critical player when it comes to reshaping the global conversation. Like it or not, London sits at the heart of global influence. The city is home to institutions that shape finance, diplomacy, and international policy. The heads of state gather here. The money moves through here. The narratives are shaped here.
If change is to happen on a global scale, London has an unprecedented opportunity to lead the charge. The Commonwealth, in particular, needs to reinvent itself—not as a relic of history, but as a force for the future. Imagine a Commonwealth that is not just an institution of shared pasts but a platform for shared responsibilities. A network of nations that genuinely commits to action rather than performative summits. A body that understands that "human interference" is the problem and collective human accountability is the solution.
But this can only happen if we push for it. Change does not come from polished speeches in conference halls; it comes from the relentless demand of people who refuse to accept the status quo. The shift from climate change to human interference is more than just semantics—it’s about reframing responsibility, urgency, and action.
The world doesn’t need more climate conferences filled with empty pledges. It needs real, systemic change. And that begins with language, with perspective, and most importantly—with us.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have burning thoughts or opinions to express, please feel free to reach out to us at larra@globalindiannetwork.com.
