the earth charter recognizes our interdependence. EC foes at last week's meeting seemed to wrestle with this concept, but I can't understand people who fail to recognize this seemingly apparent and obvious description. Of course we are interdependent with each other and all living systems on the planet. People depend on ecosystems for food, shelter, clean air and water. The most basic needs. In the global economy of the 21st century, we depend on the people of other countries for goods and services, cheap labor (that is a regrettable fact), and indeed, peace. And people in other countries depend on us, the US, for goods and services, peace, and a little bit of assistance in economic development.
...Duh
right?
Sunday, April 23, 2006
reality as you see it
that is the standing question of this blog.
What is the understanding of reality in which you function?
What is the understanding of reality in which you function?
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
my written statement to the city council regarding the earth charter
Good Evening.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
Pardon my nervousness but we live in an age where political acts more or less ensure national security surveillance.
In regards to the Earth Charter resolution I’d just like to ask the council to consider the proposal in light of a significant occurrence in global markets today, namely $70 per gallon oil. There can be no denying that the price of petroleum has become increasingly volatile in recent years. I believe a responsible course of action to steer towards insulating our economy against increased volatility in the oil market. I also believe that doing so would coincide with the spirit of the Earth Charter.
Some of you are perhaps aware of the concept of peak oil. To briefly summarize, it refers to a peak in the supply graph of petroleum production. Peak oil theorists, many prominent thinkers and credible sources, argue that the peak will be sooner rather than later and people should really start talking about what the implications will be of a permanent decline in oil supply.
I also believe in supporting the local economy. In my humble opinion, I don’t see why a community couldn’t prosper in a time of more expensive gasoline. By strategizing now, endorsing the Earth Charter, localizing the economy to be net exporters of more essential needs, such as perhaps, transportation fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, and even electrical power generated with renewable technologies.
These are just some thoughts I had. Thank you again for your attention.
[I should add that I added a lot of other things while listening to other people (opposition) and you'll have to watch to video to get what I actually said at the meeting.]
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
Pardon my nervousness but we live in an age where political acts more or less ensure national security surveillance.
In regards to the Earth Charter resolution I’d just like to ask the council to consider the proposal in light of a significant occurrence in global markets today, namely $70 per gallon oil. There can be no denying that the price of petroleum has become increasingly volatile in recent years. I believe a responsible course of action to steer towards insulating our economy against increased volatility in the oil market. I also believe that doing so would coincide with the spirit of the Earth Charter.
Some of you are perhaps aware of the concept of peak oil. To briefly summarize, it refers to a peak in the supply graph of petroleum production. Peak oil theorists, many prominent thinkers and credible sources, argue that the peak will be sooner rather than later and people should really start talking about what the implications will be of a permanent decline in oil supply.
I also believe in supporting the local economy. In my humble opinion, I don’t see why a community couldn’t prosper in a time of more expensive gasoline. By strategizing now, endorsing the Earth Charter, localizing the economy to be net exporters of more essential needs, such as perhaps, transportation fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, and even electrical power generated with renewable technologies.
These are just some thoughts I had. Thank you again for your attention.
[I should add that I added a lot of other things while listening to other people (opposition) and you'll have to watch to video to get what I actually said at the meeting.]
Sunday, April 16, 2006
an analogy
having been exposed to some old notions of life and death this easter sunday (jesus christ died for our sins and whatnot) I'm compelled to express my belief about life. We are like a raindrop in the hydrological cycle. From the ocean of our source, we become unique individuals for a brief moment in time, until we return to our source. I'm sure this isn't an original thought, but I've never been good at quoting and sourcing. But I think that's what's going on here and I really don't see what believing one thing or another about jesus has to do with my everyday life. Or perhaps I take that back. Rather than believe that jesus is the son of god and died for our sins, I believe that jesus was an extraordinary example of a human being and I believe that asking myself the question wwjd? and trying to follow his example whenever faced with a tough decision is a good way to live.
The analogy can be expanded to suggest that a raindrop's instinct is to return to it's source and on its way finds itself joining with other drops in the form of streams. Likewise, our instinct is to find our source, our reason for being, and on our way we join with others heading in the same direction, with whom we feel comfortable and agreeable. I guess this is where the analogy breaks down, because I also see diverse and divergent streams of human movement where one stream believes itself to be superior to others and by employing the strategy of dominance diminishes and subjugates others.
...yeah.
holla back yo! That means leave a comment! dammit!
The analogy can be expanded to suggest that a raindrop's instinct is to return to it's source and on its way finds itself joining with other drops in the form of streams. Likewise, our instinct is to find our source, our reason for being, and on our way we join with others heading in the same direction, with whom we feel comfortable and agreeable. I guess this is where the analogy breaks down, because I also see diverse and divergent streams of human movement where one stream believes itself to be superior to others and by employing the strategy of dominance diminishes and subjugates others.
...yeah.
holla back yo! That means leave a comment! dammit!
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