If we thought 2020 was going to be a seismic year, dominated by the COVID global pandemic and the tumultuous US presidential elections, this last 12 months proved to be no different. 2021 continued to see social and political upheavals, with the shocking US Capitol riots setting a sombre tone to what was supposed to be a more hopeful time.
Closer to home, this year highlighted the issue of women’s rights and sexual assault with survivor and campaigner Grace Tame named as 2021 Australian of the Year. Her plight, and those of many others, resonated with thousands of people who took to the streets across Australia to protest against gendered violence in the historic women’s ‘March 4 Justice’ rally. This issue was also unfortunately compounded by a series of related incidences within the hidden culture of our national political system, which was rightfully called out for its destructive and misogynist nature.
Of course, COVID remained as a dominant and lingering threat to our normal day to day living, with rising cases and new variants wreaking their toll. Disappointingly, ‘anti-science’ individuals and organisations led a rather deceitful campaign to undermine the message of health professionals on the issue of the virus and vaccinations. However, to date, people heeding their fraudulent rants have become a small minority here in Australia – much to my personal relief. Nethertheless, it has underscored how social media, some misinformed media and political personalities, as well as outright deception, are an incredibly toxic mix.
In addition to the continuing pandemic, issues such as inequality and climate change continued to make headlines across the world, as well as the alarming assaults on democracy – some more evident as others, such as the aforementioned Capitol riots in the United States and the military coup in Myanmar.
In January, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States, a welcome event for many across the globe who were exhausted, alarmed and dismayed at the destructive presidency of his infamous predecessor. Mr Biden, however, has become hamstrung by a faltering political system in which one major political party has abandoned its commitment to democracy and truth. It is a very rocky road ahead for a country now classed as a ‘flawed democracy’ by international spectators.
Whilst Mr Biden commenced his administration this year, another politician ended hers. Angela Merkel stepped down as German Chancellor after 16 years, part of which, during the chaotic presidency of Trump, she was considered ‘leader of the Free World’. As the first female leader of Germany, Ms Merkel left office with a very high level of international respect and approval and with the democratic system in her country intact.
Despite the growing anti-science movement, this year saw the NASA rover ‘Perseverance’ reach Mars to gather data and look for signs of ancient life and the deployment of the powerful James Webb telescope, which replaces the landmark Hubble telescope. These two advances, amongst many, will help us better understand the history and nature of our magnificent cosmos.
After 20 odd years, in August this year, the US completed its well overdue withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending that nation’s longest war. This costly conflict once again underscored the point that Western intervention is not a universal recipe for every situation and that history itself is a good guide to predicting some future outcomes. The world, however, watches as a medieval regime re-imposes its archaic system on a country that has seen little peace over so many decades.
Climate change, as mentioned, continues to be one of the top global issues that we need to address as the dominant species – and custodians – of our planet. This year saw negotiators from nearly 200 countries adopt a new deal on climate action at the COP26 Glasgow summit. Unfortunately, the language on the final agreement was diluted on cutting emissions from coal, with a move to “phase down,” rather than “phase out” coal power, the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. This fight, however, is not over.
Internationally, the free world faces an increasingly assertive Russia and China. There is little doubt that the way the West manages its relations with these two countries will be essential over the coming years, as the leadership of both countries continue to signal their expectations. Cool heads, fruitful engagement and sound diplomacy will be needed on both sides.
However, regardless of a persistent global pandemic, the rising inequality, racism, sexism, xenophobia, attacks on democracy and global inaction on climate change, this year saw many people come together to fight back against anti-scientific misinformation, authoritarianism, corporate greed and environmental degradation. Citizens from all walks of life have found new connections from all parts of the globe, to fight together for values they hold dear. Values, which since the Enlightenment, have underpinned Western civilisation and led us out of ignorance, fear and superstition. What is clear is that these values are under sustained attack, and as this decade advances, the fight to save them is more important than ever. 2022 will a pivotal year and what we do as individuals, and collectively, will be vital.
JUST WORDS 