January 16, 2012

Whoa - Stop! Monday

Between 1/3 and 1/2 of Earth's surface has been transformed by humans
Problem:

Pave The Earth Syndrome
"Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction. By these and other standards, it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet." - Source
 
Solution: 

Replace our present competitive, centralized, materialistic, perpetual growth system with one that is:
  • cooperative
  • decentralized
  • community-based
  • sustainable, and
  • works with nature, rather than dominates it.
In order to achieve these goals, a small segment of the global population will will need to consume less. Other groups, in order to secure their basic needs, will need to consume more.

If each of us consumes more closely to what amounts to our "fair share", the world will be a more equitable place.

We can 'whoa - stop!', the human transformation of the Earth into a smoking, desolate, wasteland by the bulldozers of greed and ego.

I am standing in their way. Will you join me?

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous1/16/2012

    I love your blog! I wish more people would comment and share their thoughts about your posts, so I decided I would comment - even though I can only figure out how to do it this way (anon).

    I had my first "not buying anything" Christmas - it was liberating!

    This post reminds me that we must take action. Do something to improve the condition of the world that has been so compromised by the greed that results from over-consumptive materialism. One thing I would like to do is start a food co-op in my town, and I'm researching how to do this, maybe you have some sources?

    You are a great inspiration.

    Thanks,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen,

      So happy you are enjoying the blog, and that you took the time to leave a comment. It would be great if others followed your lead.

      Reader comments add a whole new dimension to a blog, and allow us to be inspired by each other. This is illustrated well, I think, by your comment.

      Congratulations on your nba Christmas - that is awesome.

      2012 is the United Nations Year of the Cooperative, so your idea is timely. A food coop is a great idea... any kind of coop - they are empowering.

      Linda and I have lived in a housing coop, but are newbies when it comes to food coops.

      Ensuring food security and sustainability is so important in these days of Monsanto and industrial farms. We have to take back control of our food.

      Let us know how your research goes.

      Delete

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