What if we had a ranking system for our top issues and problems, metered by the amount of life impacted and the depth of implications on the future? This could be applied at the international, regional, and local level.

On the global stage, climate change would receive the attention it deserves, the atrocities in Yemen would be featured just as much if not more than those in Ukraine, and our food and energy problems would generate significantly more discussion and action.

There’s a potential for nuclear conflict and a war between superpowers through the crisis in Ukraine, no doubt. The world should be aware of the events in that country and the possible ramifications. But do we thus ignore any and all of our other serious problems?

Attention is a zero sum game. As a species we must learn how to allocate our focus. Our ability to collectively organize on a planetary level will determine our future.