We may not achieve Gaia, but shouldn't we try?

"Despite its obvious significance, Brexit is a mere sideshow compared to the muffled, but more fundamental disintegration taking place across the European Union (EU)," wrote Prof Y Varoufakis. Even pro-European nations are drifting apart. Germany is an example of this weakness. "Germany is experiencing a paradoxical crisis. Europe's powerhouse is awash with money." "Germany's habitat, Europe is in a deepening crisis, with effects that are reaching deep into German society." "Since the euro crisis began, a wall of money has been boosting German share prices, house prices in the main cities, and inequality. Indeed, half the population is finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet." Today's problems need transnational solutions, so an organisation called the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DiEM25) has been formed to develop pan-European policies. Prof Varoufakis was a communist at one time, but Prof JD Sachs, an American, went even further. He wrote that the rich should be taxed to pay for transfer of income to the poor, not only of their own countries, but also of neighboring countries. "The time has come to think new global taxes -- on corporate incomes, offshore accounts, international financial transactions, billionaires' net wealth, and pollution -- to pay for an interconnected world under stress," he wrote. "Earlier this year, it was revealed that India is facing legal claims from international investors in as many as 23 arbitration cases, before various tribunals," wrote lawyer G Bhatia. He feels that India should be allowed to manufacture cheap copies of life saving drugs, even those under patent protection, and approves of the aims of DiEM25. But, the opposite is happening. After losing several arbitration cases India unilaterally terminated Bilateral Investment Treaties with 58 countries and proposes new treaties in which all arbitration cases will be heard in India under Indian laws, wrote AP Datar, a senior lawyer. Who will want to invest in India, where central and state governments make their own rules? he asked. The global trading system is in danger of falling apart as the US and China fight for supremacy, wrote DR Kanth. The world has reached a tipping point in climate change which will very soon become irreversible, said a UN report. Urgent action is needed as each country tries to maintain its advantage, saying "you first". Even as politicians argue the number of hungry people in the world is rising, while food prices have fallen sharply. Can we create a Gaia where we live in harmony with all other creatures? Unlikely. Humans are super predators and we are masters at inventing smarter weapons for killing. At least some people have ideas. Hope they win.