Climate Change Concerns: “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”

Because of mistakes made in our adopted economic and ecological models (“drive it mercilessly”; “consume it excessively”), more people are bearing more fears than is healthy.

Therefore, “get small before we get low” seems like a better economic and ecological philosophy to adopt to achieve a healthier end.


["Neys P.P., Lake Superior, 2007": photo GH]

Says Ronald Wright in ‘A Short History of Progress’ (see ‘Read This’, side margin):

“Civilizations often fall quite suddenly - the House of cards effect - because as they reach full demand on their ecologies, they become highly vulnerable to natural fluctuations.”

(Would our civilization be even more vulnerable if our financial house was also in real trouble?)

“The most immediate danger posed by climate change is weather instability causing a series of crop failures in the world’s breadbaskets. Droughts, floods, fires, hurricanes are rising in frequency and severity. The pollution surges caused by these - and by wars - add to the gyre of destruction.”

Wait. Mr. Wright adds a positive note - much needed - near the end of his book:

“Things are moving so fast that inaction itself is one of the biggest mistakes. The 10,000-year experiment of the settled life will stand or fall by what we do, and don’t do, now.”

(The positive note is coming).

“The reform that is needed is not anti-capitalist, anti-American, or even deep environmentalist; it is simply the transition from short-term to long-term thinking. From recklessness and excess to moderation and the precautionary principle.”

Moderation.

Caution.

In spending. In consumption.

I.e., ‘get small before we get low.’

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