I've been watching these intense exchanges from the sidelines too and
found Mandy and Andy's comments a sensible take if common sense was what
we could use to guide the way forward. However, they are made on the
same day the oil companies announce the biggest corporate profit of any
UK industry. Perhaps we need to further assess the commercial benefits
of a speeding up of the destructive processes not a slowing down. If
this is apt then we can also anticipate a discontinuity in growth and
its back then to a political and military jamboree to work out who gets
what of the festering pile that remains.
Earlier this week some of us got together in Leeds to elaborate what we
know of the specialist and unconventional weapons that might be used for
future mass control - to combat population migration in the face of
climate change, amongst other scenarios If there is a loss of control
implicit in the PR stances now being promoted to persuade us that a
managerial approach to climate change is best, then state borders become
the new battleground. The weapons we are interested in researching form
part of the new layered defence and incapacitating doctrines which are
emerging as part of the war against terror. It is still early days yet
but some of these technologies breach many aspects of international law
and humanitarian law and are orientated towards attacks both on
civilians and combatants.
Perhaps once the climate change and conflict book is completed, these
two groups might join forces in a future seminar discussion of the
militarization of the climate change debate and its social and political
consequences? This may become more pressing if current sensible options
are put on the back burner as no longer being viable in the face of
ongoing climate change risk reassessments.
Steve Wright
Praxis
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for the Crisis Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mandy & Andy Meikle
Sent: 02 February 2006 08:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Way Ahead . . .
Have only skimmed all these energy emails but had to add my bit in. Some
time ago I posted on peak oil & most of those who did reply were a bit
dismissive. That's fine - I was too when I first heard of it.
Jonathan's points reminded me that for whatever social reasons, most
people
simply aren't any good at changing their ways unless others around them
are
doing the same. Furthermore, it's head in the sand time because climate
change, peak oil & the potential economic and social consequences are
too
great to comprehend. Yes population will fall, but some will remain and
that
number will be larger the more we change our lifestyles now. And I think
it
is important to explain the situation to others & let them go away,
think
about it & make their own minds up. If they disagree, well, so be it.
I am currently interested in finding local groups (preferably Scotland
but
UK wide too) who are trying to implement their own energy descent
programmes, local food production, cutting their own CO2 emissions,
and/or
zero waste - anything which would hold them in good stead as oil prices
rise. If readers know of any, no matter how small, please let me know.
E. g. I know Woking has cut emissions dramatically & Radio 4 had a
program
on recently which mentioned Chew Magna's Zero Waste work. Up here, we
have a
group called Pedal-Porty (Portobello, near Edinburgh) who fought off a
Tesco
(no mean feat!) and are now trying to raise funds to buy the site and
build
an alternative energy centre for local education. Even if it's no more
than
a community allotment & compost heap, it lets other see what can be done
without waiting for politicians to make change.
Lifestyle change has to be seen as a self-serving, future-proofing
excercise
not just something weird greens do. We have to accept that most people
in
industrialised countries do not understand the need to care for the
planet
we live on - they are more interested in designer gear, iPods, Hello
magazine ...! But I have finally woken up to the power & importance of
the
grassroots. I think it is the only way to survive whatever's coming.
all the best
Mandy Meikle
Scottish Green Party
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done.
Then they begin to hope it can be done.
Then they see it can be done.
Then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries
ago."
Frances Hodgson Burnett (c. 1910)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Ward" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: The Way Ahead . . .
> a difficulty I find all too often is not understanding of the problem,
or
> even awareness. it's acceptance and and the application of the
awarness to
> indiviudals' choices. for instance, raise the issue of global warming
with
> most people, they have a more than adequate understanding of where we
are
> at, the seriousness of the situation and the role that they play in
it.
but
> should someone interject with a story about a holiday and the
conversation
> could quickly change to cheap flights without any connection being
made.
>
> people know my views on flying, know me well, but will still pass on
'great
> offers' for holidays, flights etc.
>
> how do we get past this stage?
To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to http://disclaimer.leedsmet.ac.uk/email.htm
|