Fixing Planet Earth: A Not-So-Modest Proposal

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:



Fixing Planet Earth: A Not-So-Modest Proposal
Only a nonviolent revolution, like the one led by Gandhi, can meet the challenge of the climate crisis.

by Michael N. Nagler
posted Jun 03, 2010


Mahatma Gandhi is widely regarded as the father of the Indian nation, which he was. But the founding of the nation was not his only aim. He was, as he freely admitted, using India to demonstrate to the whole world how nonviolence could change history. The swell of mostly nonviolent revolutions that has followed in the last 30 or so years would seem to indicate that his bold scheme worked.

We need to be no less daring now, in the face of the coming climate chaos. To rebalance and stabilize the planet’s climate, which we probably have to do in the present decade, is daunting; but it doesn’t go far enough. We need to do it the right way, and we need to unleash a domino effect that will end up—maybe by the end of the century—eliminating not just human-caused climate change, which is the most urgent problem, but many, if not all, of the problems linked to it.

Let me explain why I think this is necessary, and doable.

In the years since Gandhi and King we have seen many insurrections overthrow unjust regimes—in South Africa, the Philippines, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere—only to see the same injustices come back with different faces (or even, as in the Ukraine, the same old faces). As a passionate participant in the Free Speech Movement in the incredible ‘60s, I was deeply shocked to see, as time went by, that not only did our inspiring movement lead to few lasting changes, it indirectly propelled Ronald Reagan into the presidency. Similarly, we have seen ecological successes here or there dwarfed by the ongoing deterioration of Earth’s miraculous life-supporting systems. In some of these cases, e.g. whaling or offshore drilling in the United States, even apparent successes proved to be temporary. The only permanent fix for any of these problems is a deep and broad solution for all of them. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/fixing-planet-earth-a-not-so-modest-proposal

[midnight]

1. Environmental awareness has it's peaks and valleys. Right now we are in a low valley.

I wonder if we will ever elect another farmer. I wonder if an Artist will ever be elected. We need people who come from another walk of life other than business folks and lawyers to add to this fix.

[Scuba]

2. +1,000,000,000,000,000,000

[xchrom]

3. ++

[marmar]

5. D'accord.....Absolutely.

Another perspective on human beings and our relationship to each other and the planet is SORELY needed.

[glitch]

6. Can you imagine an organic farmer as President?

Beautiful dream.

[marmar]

4. selfdelete, responded to wrong post

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

7. We will get a systems change.

I firmly believe that change is coming, maybe sooner than we think. It will, in our eyes and to our belief system of today, be radical.

YES, is a magazine that is a place to start reading and learning. In times of great stress brought on by all this world throws at us, it brings
hope in a better world back into the light.

Daniel Quinn has written many books and given lecture of the subject of world wide systems change. It started with a book called "Ishmael".

"Ishmael is a half ton silverback gorilla. He is a student of ecology, life, freedom, and the human condition. He is also a teacher. He teaches that which all humans need to learn -- must learn -- if our species, and the rest of life on Earth as we know it, is to survive."

Quote from the website. http://www.ishmael.org/index1.cfm

I know reading a book about a gorilla is a little silly sounding, but get thru the book. It will let you think. And then in a slightly different way. You honestly will never think the same again.

It is available at Google books- free, also at Scribd.com as a free download PDF.

Learn, then teach one hundred, then let them teach one hundred and on.
I'm still learning but passing on what I know.

It is darkest before the dawn, but next the sun shines on a new great day.

[The Traveler]

8. Interesting ... will check it out.

And welcome to DU ... good to meet ya.

Trav