The Safety Paradox: Unknown Knowns, Ungrieved Grief, and Collective Agreements not to Know

The discussion between the developing and developed world in Egypt during COP27 brought history of colonialism its impact on climate change to table, as did earlier floods Pakistan. purpose this paper is explore unacknowledged grief, shame guilt, accruing over centuries, our ability move forward a more sustainable future. At stake not only question ‘loss damage’ for those who have suffered disproportionately past present, but also need acknowledge how practice has set stage inequality global In article we develop concepts unknown knowns ungrieved mechanisms by which populations collectively turn away from uncomfortable or shameful truths. failure look at transgenerational consequences, present distractions contribute an inability ‘see’ consequences action future generations. final section explores safety paradox that arises fragmented turning conflict war, holistic requires grieving whole.