We live in a pre-apocolyptic world - and I don't think I'm being over dramatic about it.
A friend of mine recently told me about presentations given by Harvard professors - Harvard Thinks Big. Professors discussed topics they were most passionate about. Psychology professor Daniel Gilbert discussed sustainability and the climate crisis. "A war on global warming should seem as crucial to us as the War on Terror." - Gilbert.
Here's an article on Harvard Thinks Big:
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/2/12/professor-harvard-event-professors/
But why aren't we more involved in a war to save our planet? According to Gilbert, the threat of global warming does not appear immediate, immoral, imminent or instantaneous enough for us to feel physically unsafe and therefore, our survival instincts don't kick in and pump up the pressure to REACT!
Check out the video and become a little more conscious:
http://vimeo.com/10324258
There was recently a not-for-profit film created called Home that was released through digital medias to encourage society's involvement in the fight against global warming. The film states that in fact, we have ONLY 10 years to completely change up the way we're doing things or... we're literally, fucked. (My first and only swear in this blog and I stand behind it).
Here's the blurb on the vid:
We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.
The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.
For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film.
HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
HOME official website
http://www.home-2009.com
PPR is proud to support HOME
http://www.ppr.com
HOME is a carbon offset movie
http://www.actioncarbone.org
More information about the Planet
http://www.goodplanet.info
So, back to little old me and the spec that is Mtl. I've come to the point where I can't sit back any longer and ignore the responsibility that I have as a visiting homosapien to this planet. I'm starting to feel honest regret and sadness when I see waste. I'm starting to loose sleep over it. I do my best on a daily basis to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE. Yet, I'm surrounded by friends who think they can't make a difference and surrounded by teachers who encourage useless printing and numerous copies of the same document. Beyond that, I take the metro (instead of bike). I use aerosol products. This summer, I used my A/C. I eat meat. It seems like an impossible fight! It's overwhelming and truthfully depressing. Visuals of our destroyed oceans, rivers, glaciers, extinct animal life, logged forests make me choke up. I'm feeling the weight of my indebtedness to this planet and I must act. I'll reinforce positive behaviour from those around me even though I get looks of annoyance. "Who is this know-it-all?" they think. "How condescending!". I will push through, you can give me your looks, we are talking about our planet and the future of our progeny. The only way to get people involved is to break the cycle of naivety and ignorance.
Our entire education process must be geared towards conscious living and reducing waste. Why don't we have electronic textbooks yet? Computerized exams? People need to be shown by example. People need to be shunned for negative behaviour. The only way to do that is to teach and encourage the youngest and, as GenY, we must step up. Evidently, the older generations (I'm obviously generalizing here) are set in their ways, hard-headed and as nature dictates it, on the outs. Therefore, the fight against the climate crisis is our task to take up! Set examples for those around you and think local rather than global. Focus on the community rather than international. Support sustainability around you.
In the mean time, I will attempt to create in ways that make the planet smile. Reusing, reducing, recycling, DIY, baking, purchasing home-grown produce, eating less meat, buying products made locally, biking as much as possible, reusing bags, reusing bottles, air- drying my hair...
Here's a link to a great blog dedicated to a love of nature. Great, funky recycling ideas. DIY projects. Art with heart and love of the earth. It's inspiring:
http://blog.designsquish.com/
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