Thanos in real life: hasn't the finger-snapping already begun?
In the movie, the character Thanos had a radical plan: halve the population to save the universe's resources. It sounded like pure science fiction, but... what if I told you that the “real-life Thanos” is about to snap his fingers? Only this time, there are no superheroes to stop it.
Look around: environmental disasters, wars, pandemics, famine. Each crisis is like a jewel from infinity fitted into the gauntlet of reality. Are we heading for a global snap?
Has the finger-snapping already begun?
The planet has been sending us warning signals for decades, but they have never been so deafening. In 2023, floods in Central Europe caused more than 50 billion dollars in damage, while drought in the Horn of Africa pushed 22 million people into extreme hunger. In Brazil, we've seen drought turn parts of the Atlantic Forest into deserts - a shocking paradox.
And when it comes to wars, the story is no different. Conflicts fueled by disputes over resources such as water and energy are becoming increasingly common. Would Thanos' snap be so different from what we've already experienced?
Thanos and the environmental dilemma: fiction or reality?
Thanos' motivation was simple (and terrifying): the universe can't cope with so many living beings consuming so much. Here on Earth, the UN report on climate change seems to echo this idea. In the last 50 years, we have consumed natural resources faster than the planet can regenerate them.
Think about it: in 2024, Earth Overshoot Day, the day when we exceed the limit of resources that the Earth can replenish, arrived on August 2nd. In other words, we're living on environmental credit for the rest of the year.
Do we need Thanos to realize that we're forcing the planet into collapse? Or can we be the heroes of our narrative?
The human side of the finger-slapping
While Thanos acted without remorse, our global “snap” has faces and stories. They are entire communities being devastated by extreme weather events. They are children dying of hunger, families displaced by floods, and lives cut short by intense heat waves.
And no, we don't need an intergalactic villain to remind us that the weight of the planet almost always falls on the most vulnerable. Data shows that 80% of people affected by climate disasters live in developing countries.
What if you were an Avenger?
The question is: what can we do? Are we doomed to wait for the final “snap”, or is there still time to act?
- Reflect on consumption: If half of what Thanos said is true, do we need to consume so much?
- Demand climate policies: There are no magic gauntlets, but there are laws that can transform the scenario.
- Be a local hero: Encourage sustainable practices in your community.
- Support innovation: Green technologies can be the real jewels of infinity that will save the planet.
A future that doesn't need villains
Thanos is just a symbol of a real dilemma. The planet is crying out, and it's up to us to decide whether we'll be the Avengers or passive spectators to a tragedy foretold.
The shouting has already begun - and it's not fiction. The question is: what are you going to do before it's too late?
With gratitude, 🌿🌍
Anna Luisa Beserra
Founder, Sustainable Development & Water For All
LinkedIn: Anna Luisa Beserra
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