I doubt if there’s a phrase used more often than “In these uncertain times.”

Uncertain.

It’s a wonderful escape word. If the times are so uncertain, no one can commit with any certainty. Governments and companies can’t be held responsible for decisions made, or more importantly, decisions not made.

There is nothing uncertain about these times. In fact, we live in one of the most certain periods in our brief history.

We are certain that life will not be as we lived it. The years to come will be different.

We are certain that all living things are under threat. Animals, plants and yes, us humans.

We are certain at just how connected we are. One person gets the virus in Wuhan and before the year is out, over 45 million people are affected in every nation on earth. Six degrees of separation? More like three degrees. 

So connected, and yet so divided. 

We are certain there is growing division. Sexism, racism, classism, ageism. These don’t just exist but are rampant in some cultures.

We are certain that we are populating the earth at such a rate that the space we so desperately crave is fast disappearing. As is the biodiversity we depend on. 

We are certain that the global economy is suffering, that jobs are being lost at an unprecedented pace, that nations are diving deeper into debt.

We are certain that we need a different relationship with each other and with the planet. There is nothing uncertain about that.

We are certain that Governments need to rebuild trust through actions, not through 5pm televised briefings.

We are certain that CEOs, even though they have never experienced a pandemic, need to act like CEOs. The planet could do with some leadership.

We are certain that technology alone won’t save us. But if we add humanity, not just humans, to this ever-expanding tech there is more certainty for optimism.

Once we acknowledge that we live in certain times, we can begin to do what needs to be done.

As long as we keep reading “In these uncertain times”, it’s just too easy to shrug the shoulders, to blame anyone and everyone, to run far and fast from the issues.