Blogpost by: Karun Tyagi

Thanos, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s iconic villain, is famed for his infamous snap, which wiped out half of all life in the world. The character is a fictional villain who committed genocide and caused immeasurable harm to the universe.While his acts were unquestionably disastrous and immoral, his underlying idea can be applied to the subject of environmental sustainability. These are some key Thanos-inspired principles that could help us address the pressing issues of climate change and environmental destruction.

1. The importance of balance

Thanos saw the universe as out of balance, with overpopulation and insufficient resources causing pain and conflict. Similarly, our planet is currently experiencing a serious resource imbalance, with humans taking far more than the Planet can sustainably offer. To achieve genuine sustainability, we must find a means to balance our requirements with those of the earth, ensuring that resources are not depleted faster than they can be restored.

2. The need for sacrifice

Thanos was willing to give up anything, including his own daughter, to achieve his objectives. While this extreme method is clearly unethical, the concept of sacrifice is important in terms of environmental sustainability. To conserve the world and ensure that future generations have access to the resources they require, we must be willing to give up some of our current comforts and conveniences. This could imply driving less, eating less meat, or purchasing fewer disposable items.

3. The power of collective action

Thanos believed that his acts were required to rescue the universe, but he also realised that he could not accomplish his objectives alone. Similarly, collaborative action is required to address the critical environmental concerns we confront. To adopt sustainable policies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguard ecosystems, governments, businesses, and individuals must all collaborate.

4. The importance of long-term thinking

Thanos was more concerned with the long-term survival of the universe than with short-term benefits or pleasures. Similarly, when it comes to environmental sustainability, we must have a long-term approach. This entails taking into account the impact of our activities not just on our own lives, but also on future generations and the earth as a whole.

BUT… his approach to achieving a sustainable world was problematic

While his goal was to bring the world back into equilibrium by reducing population, his approach was fundamentally faulty and unethical. In actuality, sustainability demands a multifaceted approach that considers economic, social, and environmental factors. This entails minimising our use of natural resources, implementing more sustainable manufacturing processes, investing in renewable energy and green technologies, and enacting legislation that promote sustainable behaviours.

Thanos’ measures did not address the underlying causes of overconsumption and environmental degradation, nor did they promote environmentally beneficial practises. Rather, they were a drastic and unethical attempt to alleviate the symptoms of these issues by lowering the population. This approach ignores the complexities of the issues and would have serious negative implications, such as biodiversity loss and ecological collapse.

To achieve a more sustainable world, we must prioritise policies and practises that promote sustainability while addressing the core causes of environmental deterioration. This necessitates a collaborative effort on the part of governments, corporations, and individuals, as well as a commitment to long-term thought and action.

In conclusion, Thanos’s acts cannot be explained or justified as a feasible solution to actual environmental problems. Even though, his figure might serve as a cautionary tale, emphasising the significance of ethical issues and the necessity to create sustainable solutions that respect individual rights and liberties, as well as ecological systems.