We call those who make great discoveries before finding proof geniuses, and those whose predictions of coming catastrophe come true, prophets. Until that time, however, we call them unstable, unbalanced, and either dangerous or irrelevant. This author points out the great psychological rift between what we have today, and what our actions of today will cause for tomorrow. Until we come to terms with that rift, and heal it, we offer ourselves little hope for survival.
Learning how to die in the Anthropocene
"This March, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, the commander of the United States Pacific Command, told security and foreign policy specialists in Cambridge, Mass., that global climate change was the greatest threat the United States faced — more dangerous than terrorism, Chinese hackers and North Korean nuclear missiles. Upheaval from increased temperatures, rising seas and radical destabilization 'is probably the most likely thing that is going to happen…' he said, 'that will cripple the security environment, probably more likely than the other scenarios we all often talk about.’"
Small glimmers of light have emerged over the past couple of years. We finally see how coal-related energy devalues human life, and our economy reflects the falling priority we place on coal as a source of energy.
UK announces end of public financing for coal
"Finally, this reality is catching on. Governments and financial institutions are facing the reality that coal kills, and our future and our children’s future depend on transitioning away from the dirty and dangerous fuel.
The UK’s banking arm, the Export Finance department has approved over $100 million for coal projects since Oct. 2011, according to the department’s own annual reports. Those have all been in the form of coal mining projects in Russia. This new announcement would not only halt the funding for these projects, but it would also prevent any future investment in similar projects, aside from exceptional circumstances."
We now need a plan to transition those who still have years of value to give our society from their dirty jobs to ones that provide equal or better chance at high quality of life. Although this will take much effort, those skilled in operating equipment, managing people, and staffing logistics operations have many opportunities as long as our communities prioritize moving these fellow humans, fellow citizens into value-adding careers.
A part of Utah built on coal wonders what comes next
"As energy companies tack away from coal, toward cleaner, cheaper natural gas, people here have grown increasingly afraid that their community may soon slip away. Dozens of workers at the facility here, the Carbon Power Plant, have learned that they must retire early or seek other jobs. Local trucking and equipment outfits are preparing to take business elsewhere."
Despite the best propaganda from energy companies, more and more data shows that extractive energy industries do not provide employment boosts to the economy. Clean energy and energy efficiency provide much greater, and more stable, increases in employment, while adding value through improvement human and environmental health.
New report examines shale drilling impact
"Between 2005 and 2012, less than four new direct shale-related jobs have been created for each new well drilled, much less than estimates as high as 31 direct jobs per well in some industry-financed studies. Some counties with a long history of mineral extraction have experienced a shift in employment from coal to shale extraction. Recent trends are consistent with the boom and bust pattern that has characterized extractive industries for decades. It also points to the need for state and local policymakers to collaborate to enact policies that serve the public interest."
Solving the "wicked problems" posed by our relationship with energy, food and water will not take one large movement or solution, but rather the cumulative effort of thousands to millions small solutions. The time has come to keep moving forward.
Small planet, big appetites: How to feed a growing world
"If you see each tiny effort in isolation, then they each feel so small in the face of the behemoth of the industrial food system. However, if you take all these efforts together, then a global social movement takes shape. And global social movements have the power to make real change. This is how we can find hope that our kids and our grandkids will have a food system that works for them, for the earth, and for the future."
Happy Friday!
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