As asked
That humans are actually the rational beings many claim themselves to be, rather than animals that makes decisions based on emotion and then rationalise why they made the decision.
I feel it would solve all the problems other commenters have mentioned.
Pretty much.
The co2 we are emitting into the atmosphere is leading to problems.
Rational response: reduce our co2 emissions as fast as possible.
Our constant population expansion and habitat destruction is causing a new mass extension event:
Rational response: Limit population growth. reduce environmental impact and regenerate damage already done.
Etc
etc
etc.
While I agree there are some problems that would be best solved through rational thinking, I wouldn’t want to live in a purely “rational” world. The entirety of the human experience lies between the gaps of rationality.
Get rid of religion.
Get rid of greed
That no matter what scientists and engineers try, when combusting fossil fuel, the exhaust smells like a terrible latrine.
I think that would spur a quick response from everyday citizens as to what they heat their homes with, or how they get around their cities.
I like the direction of this thought. I’ve imagined the same, until I remembered that before fossil fuels, humans used whale oil for lamps, lubricants, soaps, etc, and cut down trees for heat.
This is one of those “be careful what you wish for” scenarios. 8 billion people burning trees for heat and killing whales for lighting creates a whole new hellscape.
Probanly erradicate akrasia. A lot of the world’s problems are down to rampant akrasia on the part of most people.