Suicidal environmentalism
If the scientists are correct, our planet is going to change. And I don't know about anyone else, but my gut feeling is that there aren't enough people who want/are able to contemplate the necessary changes in their lifestyles to stop it.
Maybe we need a change of approach. Maybe we need to be, as Alaistair McIntosh says, planetary hospice workers instead of pretending that anything we can do will stop it.
Maybe the environmental movement needs a bit of 'doom and gloom' and maybe the bad news is the only thing worth listening to: focusing on small changes in our lifestyles might be life affirming and positive for our frame of mind, but maybe we also need to consider/plan/think about what we're going to do if the changes are as expected and we haven't been able to reduce emissions by the necessary rate.
And maybe the truth is that the only way that the majority of the world can survive is if their problems are removed: i.e. us.
Maybe we need a change of approach. Maybe we need to be, as Alaistair McIntosh says, planetary hospice workers instead of pretending that anything we can do will stop it.
Maybe the environmental movement needs a bit of 'doom and gloom' and maybe the bad news is the only thing worth listening to: focusing on small changes in our lifestyles might be life affirming and positive for our frame of mind, but maybe we also need to consider/plan/think about what we're going to do if the changes are as expected and we haven't been able to reduce emissions by the necessary rate.
And maybe the truth is that the only way that the majority of the world can survive is if their problems are removed: i.e. us.
Labels: change the world, climate change, environment
posted by Joe at 3:10 AM
5 Comments:
I don't think removing Westerners will solve the problem anymore, Joe, the whole world wants a Western lifestyle - OK not every person in the world, but a large enough number of people in most countries. You'd also need to remove a large number of Asians; Indians, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese etc not to mention South Americans and some Africans - anyone who is becoming 'developed'.
To change the world, we have to start with you and me and people like us, and help them develop a spirituality that turns their priorities and idea of a 'good life' upside down.
Well it is certainly true that everyone wants to be like us, but then who wouldn't when as 20% of the population in the world we misuse 70% of the resources?
I don't think they need us in any way Karin. It is madness to suggest we have anything to offer - other than as poor, naked individuals, devoid of everything we once held dear.
I'm not suggesting they do need us, but as they have already been infected by us, so to speak, I think it's too late for that.
To follow Christ has always been the narrow way, but a small group of committed Christians have influenced society in the past, e.g. with regard to the slave trade. Perhaps they can do so with regard to climate change, alongside the non-Christians who are also committed to the cause.
I suspect it will be a very small band of Christians who are ready to comfort the victims of climate change whilst other rush around thinking only of themselves.
I deleted your other comment about kierkegaard because we already talked about the radio programme.
It is not that the environmental movement is "suicidal", our entire so called "cvilization" is suicidal and engaging in a global war against the environment.
A war that if not turned around within the next 5 years may very well mean the termination of EARTH-KIND altogether.
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