I put “_______” in the title, because so many people automatically scroll past anything with “climate change.” Quite understandably, they think that they know basically what it is going to say, in main message if not in details. Since what I say diverges so sharply from both mainstream and skeptical discourse, I try to avoid the term altogether.
Having an event to talk about your spiritual experience in regards to climate change is one thing. Being an authority over the spiritual experiences of others is another. I hope that your intention will become clear. Please speak from your own innerstanding.
I recently listened to a discussion on how Native tribes of the Americas view land and one of the panelist stated that based on their creation stories, the land came first and then the people. That statement is loaded with many truths but the bigger one is that the land takes care of us, we don’t take care of the land because we don’t need to. The land takes care of itself and we are only to live in reverence and gratitude of her and her gifts.
I think it’s pretty arrogant for humans to believe that we have any power over the earth. Even when we do something that is seemingly irreparable it matters not in the grand scheme of her life cycle, for she will be here long before us and long after us and she always recovers with time. It’s funny how people love to talk about how the earth is millions of years old and been through this age and that age, having had whole species wiped out but in that same breadth fail to see that she always takes care of herself. We are not her caretakers, we are occupants, aliens, and invited guests. We should act accordingly.
The truth about climate change is that breadth is life and we die when we can’t breathe so making the air healthy is for us, not for the earth (because 👏🏾she 👏🏾can 👏🏾do 👏🏾this 👏🏾on 👏🏾her 👏🏾own👏🏾) and the sooner we come to terms with that truth, then we can move forward into responsible, gracious, and sustainable living.
Spoke my peace but I’ll end it with one other note. The characters at the forefront of climate change in the MSM are incredibly suspicious. They are the same characters involved in other psyops and it makes their involvement questionable. We should all be asking who stands to benefit economically from certain climate change legislation? What measures are being put forth? (I recently saw a proposal that would dictate when we could go into nature and for how long…so you can only go walk outside for 20 minutes in a national park because any longer and you’ll damage the natural environment. Huh?!?) Following bloodlines and money vines will always bring about answers 🙏🏾
Hello Charles, the ______ worked! I happen to be a graduate of one of Jonathan’s programs.
I listened to this yesterday (https://onbeing.org/programs/colette-pichon-battle-placed-here-in-this-calling/). It relates to this post of yours, and I urge you to listen before you make your presentation with Jonathan! Because it brings climate change home to place, to our story, and at the very end, weaves in a bit of Yin. For the very reasons you explain, I had decided not to attend the upcoming seminar with Jonathan. Because I do not like the approach being taken towards climate change. But when I listened to what Colette had to say, I softened and I opened. I listened. I needed to hear her story. Story of place.
When it comes to what I need to gather up my attention for climate change however, it is different again. Noise. And the silencing we all experienced when we entered into the Great Pause, 2 years ago yesterday. That was a bandaid for climate. We saw all kinds of proof of the miracle of life when we stopped. I am born up north with the Inuit so I have a lot of respect for their perspective ... the below, which I attach, may seem out of context, because I have extracted it from a paper, but there are some key words there. I don't know if you have time for what I contribute, but I make an attempt to be heard regardless!
Thanks for all the speaking up you do. I have a close friend who attended one of your last programs just before everything closed down, and I heard you speak at a biodynamic farming convention 10 years ago. Your work is important.
- - -
Life in Canada’s North is one that is close to death. Food resources have always been scarce, and scarcer now that the ice is melting; and therefore, they had a serious responsibility to keeping their population numbers low and raising the best hunters. In her article, Catherine Madsen describes a “binding” moral literacy that is the result of the “physical needs of a subsistence community” (Madsen, 121) ruled by the harshness of Nature.
The Inuit moral principle is that of kinship - shared obligations and sharing the catch (118). Diverging for a moment ... if we drift onto the path of uncovering the meaning of life, one discovers that between stories of the Holocaust and stories of the survival of the Inuit, suffering and poverty are the “only things that can open up the [human] mind,” says Igjugarjuk (as quoted, Madsen 124). He says that if there is a link between physical distress and moral nobility, then in modern times there is a link between physical security and moral impotence.
The Inuit called the colonizers and missionaries “sons of thunder,” because everything that white people do and “everything they have makes noise” (quoting Fienup-Riordan in Madsen 123). And it might be ever more true today with climate change, that “the weather is hunting those who don’t listen, but amid the noise of machinery we cannot hear” (125).
Perhaps without enough suffering, or being overprotected by such doctrines as the UDHR, one is less able to appreciate what it means to be a human being.
This was extracted from a discussion of Indigenous peoples right to self-determination based on very different living conditions. (Anthropocentric arguments do not work in extreme climates and geographies, especially where some Indigenous populations live, so the UDHR can be deemed not entirely relevant to some Indigenous cultures, when it is written more so for a goal of a “political order conducive to the accumulation of wealth” (Bell, 657). This is not applicable to those who live close to the land.)
Kaytlyn "The world desperately needs powerful storytellers to help us make sense of the unfathomable events taking place." ~Alexis Wright
And thank you for your generosity and love you show us through your open and overflowing offerings.
Yes, it comes down to love. And I think we also must fall in love with our fellow people as strongly as we do the earth, so that we can build and hold onto hope that with our collective capabilities, we can actually get beyond all the silly, self-gratifying goals and bucket lists we are led to believe hold such weight towards our existence and identity.
When we can make living together and loving one another about loving the earth together, i think that is where we start to sow the seeds of change.
Always appreciate your insights, Charles, because they are grounded in truth and reality, while at the same time being life-affirming and inspiring. And yet, it's becoming increasingly imposssible to see any kind of livable future for humanity or the rest of our living biome if we continue on this trajectory. I say that as somewhat who is feverishly working on projects that push back against the narrative but I don't see nearly enough people who have the courage and fortitude to maintain what could be the longest and most dire war we've ever faced. Given that the oligarchs are holding all the cards - including the ability to release bio-weapons, launch nuclear war, alter the climate, harness the behaviour of the population to sociopathic ends - I see humanity as deeply flawed and incapable of commanding sufficient resources to effectively resist the onslaught of psycho-sociopathic projects like transhumanism and artificial intelligence. It really feels like we're headed for a Matrix-like future.
What keeps me going - other than your essays and others like it - is a saying from Chris Hedges: " “I do not fight fascists because I will win. I fight fascists because they are fascists.”
― Chris Hedges, Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt
PS Charles, the environmental changes started to be noticed by those of us who are still close to Nature in 1970. Birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, all disappearing. Mammals not seen in parts of UAS and Canada now appearing. Trees, plants, infected with new fungi, migrating insects, new out-of-season droughts, weather anomalies, inhibiting crop growing.....Started 1968, more noticeable 1970. Remember "silent Spring' Rachel Carson? First 'popular' book of facts and warnings. All these disappearances increasing throughout the 70s,80s, 90s, 2000s. Human lack of contact, curiosity, Conscious dependence, relationships with Nature, the skies, even themselves, and dependence on manmade artificial environments and ways of living allow populations to disbelieve, doubt, create political and corporate (those who decide how we are to live...or not) denial of what is happening. There is no way to 'convince' these people, and yes, we are in danger. Grave danger. We were warned. There is no way, within the current paradigm demands of artificial ways of human feeling, thinking, awareness/consciousness, led by spoon fed 'beliefs', to change these ways. We who see, feel, experience, thus believe vs. being "taught" what to believe, tried creating ways of interacting with, and learning from Nature, and people's own Nature. We tried informing, providing different experiences, offering the opportunities to learn and love. It didn't work. Humankind is now dependent on artificial living. Like a drug, hooked on the manmade ways of living. Artificial ways of living that apparently has snuffed out human nature and replaced with with "goods and services". Humans have lost their instincts or would know, as other mammals, birds, fish, trees, flowers, food plants, know what is happening and will happen. All we who still see, feel, know, Nature and her messages can do, is continue our own paths and let thos who cannot experience or learn, continue theirs. And pray.
An important Man said something that describes our time and future is, "They know not what they do".
Thank you, Charles, for illuminating that which I've felt instinctively for the past few decades but hadn't recognized as a main factor in stepping away from the climate change discussion. It is so much more resonant for me to focus on "the Earth is our Mother" and "we are all connected/we are not separate" than "we're going to die." We heal, care, and give reverance to Her because She is not separate from us. Caring for this land, water, air, etc. is paramount to true self- (and Self-) love.
Just yesterday I was reading an article lamenting the tyrannical methods being implemented up in Canada to deal with their garbage. The people of Canada must sort their garbage into five different containers and pay for this privilege. I could empathize with the author's sentiments, but I could also see that by eliminating garbage from my life, I was immune from these onerous consequences. I know longer identify as a "consumer" anymore. I've bought about all I can ever have or want, and have moved on to other pursuits. I don't see a whole lot of spirituality in consumerism, and though it may feel like some sort of spiritual awakening to walk away from it, it's certainly a much more enjoyable life.
Hello Charles, Thank you so much for sharing your vigorous thinking. I find it refreshing to read your perspective. ..and it has awakened a desire to share where my view diverges.
I think climate change is a specious way to avoid dealing with human difficulties with other humans. There is an argument that growing populations are having an impact but that isn’t actually what is driving the burning of rainforests or the amount of plastic in the oceans and landfills and possibly why this covid virus is such a widespread disease. The root cause seems to be greed at the expense of everything else. Presently most humans are engaged in this pursuit mainly because of servicing the cost of land and buildings but for some its simply a drive to control. This is what human beings need to confront, then the other issues of the natural world will resolve themselves. And lets not forget the infinite creativity of the Divine that responds to even human degradation and destruction with spontaneity and innovation... such a force has no need to be saved. It will survive or transform or whatever ...in fact although we impact the natural world, it is arrogant of human beings to even consider that we can or need to fix her. No we need to turn our attention to ourselves.
I believe it will take a radical view of the resources freely given... the earth, water, air to breathe, plants and animals and minerals that sustain life. We as humans have invested collectively in an ownership culture, the possession and then the profiting from what was provided for everyone. There are more than sufficient resources on this planet for every living being to have a fullsome existence without fear. Human beings with their amazing brain capacity have developed technologies to share resources when there is a natural disaster on the other side of the globe. And to provide a variety of foodstuffs and goods.
Why shouldn’t land, water, air in particular be held as tenants in common by all human beings of a nation ? In Maori the term is Kaitiaki which means stewardship or caretaker of those resources. No one should own them but there could be systems that allow for people to have the use of a piece of land for their home without an exhorbitant cost which requires a couple to work 2 or more jobs just to survive. Waterways need to be accessible for everyone and businesses that damage the air that we breathe need to stop or change their practices.
However here’s the reason why this would not be seen as workable. Because our local communities have become progressively decimated as services have become systematically centralised in a huge bureaucratic ediface and this would be dismissed as unworkable on a larger scale and perhaps this is true. But I believe the main reason it would be difficult to implement, is that we have lost the skills of collectively working together in small communities, of resolving conflicts or misdemeanours, of caring for the vulnerable, the elderly and we have been trained in individualism in order to boost productivity but at the expense of inclusion and belonging and purposefulness. The results of this are before us : widespread depression and anxiety, a huge gap between the small band of the rich and the ever increasing poor, increased violence, homelessness, substance abuse, an increased culture of dependency due to Governments that are increasingly acting as parental figures.
But I am sure it could be workable on a regional level and perhaps a pilot project could demonstrate this. But I suppose the question is, are enough people desperate enough for another paradigm where status is not the paramount value.
Namaste from an increasingly concerned New Zealander
you’re so funny - the college joke really tickled me - but more importantly I’m super excited to join the zoom event bc this has been my core purpose and passion for a long time, and I’ve been working on some pieces all winter to publish/promo soon regarding this exactly… and my new offering to help: EarthCare Coaching!! Excited to be aligned as always 🌲🖤🦋 and thank you so much for continuing to share ideas beyond the binaries :)
If everything is a mirror then perhaps global warming is indicative of humanity’s chronic inflammation. One can correct this by slowing down and reconnecting with the Earth beneath our feet. Do this and we might become more conscious custodians of our beautiful home.
Hi Charles, I am very much looking forward to this event. Your book Climate - a New Story really resonated with me. You might be interested to know that when I initially saw your fb post about this event, it was around March 1st or 2nd, and I saw a brand new flag show up, that I had never seen before. Suddenly, as we have somewhat discontinued obsessing over metrics that have been flagged in the same way over the last 2 years, a new 'climate flag' showed up... so I can now view the temperatures in my own area. It has such a "I measure therefore I am" ring to it, that I was more than deeply unsettled by it.
Something has been really moving me and prompting me in the last while, to explore what slow, curious, movement looks like. To move in such a way that whispers to the future... that pilgrimage will be part of the new story, even as we localize. Anyway, there was something that really unsettled me about this new flagging, and this new set of metrics we're being herded toward narrowly staring at... as all manner of other injustices keep freely passing us by.
You're right when you say the environmentalists made a mistake when they shifted their message to "we're, all going to die". That message makes the movement seem fundamentalist and extreme when everyone can get behind the "protect the nature we all love" movement.
The story under the climate change story is population; there are too many people for a finite planet to support. So, who dies? Who chooses which ones die? This is the 800 lb gorilla in the climate change room because we all know there is going to be a die-off and maybe not accidental. Those rich guys don't party at Davos for our health.
Dearest Charles! Well, I can take liberties as I will be 74 in April, a mother and a grandmother of four - for one thing age is good! I am only writing to say that I consider myself a truly, deeply, profoundly spiritual person... However, it has always been hard for me to understand/feel why Love is courage, and lack of Love is fear! Well, I got the answer and it is in this, very strong in its simplicity, example of yours about the Mother’s love for her child! Love is Courage! My eyes are brimming with tears! Be blessed and continue your service to humanity!
Uh oh. Newly "politically ambitious" Charles E. has a narrative for the world?
Klaus! Young World Leaders! Take heed! Succeed with religion (oops, sorry, my bad)... succeed with the carrot "Beauty and Sacredness" where the stick "Fear of Death" has failed!
(and now, my narrative):
"And so, ladies & gentlemen (& all variations thereof), "spirituality" lumbers on grotesquely as a tool of persuasion, long past its' "sell by date" smelling of yesterdays' rotting, wilted buffet yet comically presenting itself as crisp, healthy sustenance."
Alright. Put on some music. Let's do "The Charles". One step forward, two steps back....spirituality is what we lack...
Mystery Unfurled
With a muddy road ahead
and a steep wall behind
decisions aren’t as important
as the inner resolve to continue.
Keep faith with the flowering trees
and align your thoughts
with the strength of the tide.
You will be disappointed,
wounded again and again
but you will not fail
no matter the oppressor.
The inner deity will shine bright
and the mystery of your spirit
unfurled in the gathering dark.
Having an event to talk about your spiritual experience in regards to climate change is one thing. Being an authority over the spiritual experiences of others is another. I hope that your intention will become clear. Please speak from your own innerstanding.
I recently listened to a discussion on how Native tribes of the Americas view land and one of the panelist stated that based on their creation stories, the land came first and then the people. That statement is loaded with many truths but the bigger one is that the land takes care of us, we don’t take care of the land because we don’t need to. The land takes care of itself and we are only to live in reverence and gratitude of her and her gifts.
I think it’s pretty arrogant for humans to believe that we have any power over the earth. Even when we do something that is seemingly irreparable it matters not in the grand scheme of her life cycle, for she will be here long before us and long after us and she always recovers with time. It’s funny how people love to talk about how the earth is millions of years old and been through this age and that age, having had whole species wiped out but in that same breadth fail to see that she always takes care of herself. We are not her caretakers, we are occupants, aliens, and invited guests. We should act accordingly.
The truth about climate change is that breadth is life and we die when we can’t breathe so making the air healthy is for us, not for the earth (because 👏🏾she 👏🏾can 👏🏾do 👏🏾this 👏🏾on 👏🏾her 👏🏾own👏🏾) and the sooner we come to terms with that truth, then we can move forward into responsible, gracious, and sustainable living.
Spoke my peace but I’ll end it with one other note. The characters at the forefront of climate change in the MSM are incredibly suspicious. They are the same characters involved in other psyops and it makes their involvement questionable. We should all be asking who stands to benefit economically from certain climate change legislation? What measures are being put forth? (I recently saw a proposal that would dictate when we could go into nature and for how long…so you can only go walk outside for 20 minutes in a national park because any longer and you’ll damage the natural environment. Huh?!?) Following bloodlines and money vines will always bring about answers 🙏🏾
Hello Charles, the ______ worked! I happen to be a graduate of one of Jonathan’s programs.
I listened to this yesterday (https://onbeing.org/programs/colette-pichon-battle-placed-here-in-this-calling/). It relates to this post of yours, and I urge you to listen before you make your presentation with Jonathan! Because it brings climate change home to place, to our story, and at the very end, weaves in a bit of Yin. For the very reasons you explain, I had decided not to attend the upcoming seminar with Jonathan. Because I do not like the approach being taken towards climate change. But when I listened to what Colette had to say, I softened and I opened. I listened. I needed to hear her story. Story of place.
When it comes to what I need to gather up my attention for climate change however, it is different again. Noise. And the silencing we all experienced when we entered into the Great Pause, 2 years ago yesterday. That was a bandaid for climate. We saw all kinds of proof of the miracle of life when we stopped. I am born up north with the Inuit so I have a lot of respect for their perspective ... the below, which I attach, may seem out of context, because I have extracted it from a paper, but there are some key words there. I don't know if you have time for what I contribute, but I make an attempt to be heard regardless!
Thanks for all the speaking up you do. I have a close friend who attended one of your last programs just before everything closed down, and I heard you speak at a biodynamic farming convention 10 years ago. Your work is important.
- - -
Life in Canada’s North is one that is close to death. Food resources have always been scarce, and scarcer now that the ice is melting; and therefore, they had a serious responsibility to keeping their population numbers low and raising the best hunters. In her article, Catherine Madsen describes a “binding” moral literacy that is the result of the “physical needs of a subsistence community” (Madsen, 121) ruled by the harshness of Nature.
The Inuit moral principle is that of kinship - shared obligations and sharing the catch (118). Diverging for a moment ... if we drift onto the path of uncovering the meaning of life, one discovers that between stories of the Holocaust and stories of the survival of the Inuit, suffering and poverty are the “only things that can open up the [human] mind,” says Igjugarjuk (as quoted, Madsen 124). He says that if there is a link between physical distress and moral nobility, then in modern times there is a link between physical security and moral impotence.
The Inuit called the colonizers and missionaries “sons of thunder,” because everything that white people do and “everything they have makes noise” (quoting Fienup-Riordan in Madsen 123). And it might be ever more true today with climate change, that “the weather is hunting those who don’t listen, but amid the noise of machinery we cannot hear” (125).
Perhaps without enough suffering, or being overprotected by such doctrines as the UDHR, one is less able to appreciate what it means to be a human being.
This was extracted from a discussion of Indigenous peoples right to self-determination based on very different living conditions. (Anthropocentric arguments do not work in extreme climates and geographies, especially where some Indigenous populations live, so the UDHR can be deemed not entirely relevant to some Indigenous cultures, when it is written more so for a goal of a “political order conducive to the accumulation of wealth” (Bell, 657). This is not applicable to those who live close to the land.)
Kaytlyn "The world desperately needs powerful storytellers to help us make sense of the unfathomable events taking place." ~Alexis Wright
Thank goodness for your strong gut, Charles!
And thank you for your generosity and love you show us through your open and overflowing offerings.
Yes, it comes down to love. And I think we also must fall in love with our fellow people as strongly as we do the earth, so that we can build and hold onto hope that with our collective capabilities, we can actually get beyond all the silly, self-gratifying goals and bucket lists we are led to believe hold such weight towards our existence and identity.
When we can make living together and loving one another about loving the earth together, i think that is where we start to sow the seeds of change.
Always appreciate your insights, Charles, because they are grounded in truth and reality, while at the same time being life-affirming and inspiring. And yet, it's becoming increasingly imposssible to see any kind of livable future for humanity or the rest of our living biome if we continue on this trajectory. I say that as somewhat who is feverishly working on projects that push back against the narrative but I don't see nearly enough people who have the courage and fortitude to maintain what could be the longest and most dire war we've ever faced. Given that the oligarchs are holding all the cards - including the ability to release bio-weapons, launch nuclear war, alter the climate, harness the behaviour of the population to sociopathic ends - I see humanity as deeply flawed and incapable of commanding sufficient resources to effectively resist the onslaught of psycho-sociopathic projects like transhumanism and artificial intelligence. It really feels like we're headed for a Matrix-like future.
What keeps me going - other than your essays and others like it - is a saying from Chris Hedges: " “I do not fight fascists because I will win. I fight fascists because they are fascists.”
― Chris Hedges, Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7172542-i-do-not-fight-fascists-because-i-will-win-i
PS Charles, the environmental changes started to be noticed by those of us who are still close to Nature in 1970. Birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, all disappearing. Mammals not seen in parts of UAS and Canada now appearing. Trees, plants, infected with new fungi, migrating insects, new out-of-season droughts, weather anomalies, inhibiting crop growing.....Started 1968, more noticeable 1970. Remember "silent Spring' Rachel Carson? First 'popular' book of facts and warnings. All these disappearances increasing throughout the 70s,80s, 90s, 2000s. Human lack of contact, curiosity, Conscious dependence, relationships with Nature, the skies, even themselves, and dependence on manmade artificial environments and ways of living allow populations to disbelieve, doubt, create political and corporate (those who decide how we are to live...or not) denial of what is happening. There is no way to 'convince' these people, and yes, we are in danger. Grave danger. We were warned. There is no way, within the current paradigm demands of artificial ways of human feeling, thinking, awareness/consciousness, led by spoon fed 'beliefs', to change these ways. We who see, feel, experience, thus believe vs. being "taught" what to believe, tried creating ways of interacting with, and learning from Nature, and people's own Nature. We tried informing, providing different experiences, offering the opportunities to learn and love. It didn't work. Humankind is now dependent on artificial living. Like a drug, hooked on the manmade ways of living. Artificial ways of living that apparently has snuffed out human nature and replaced with with "goods and services". Humans have lost their instincts or would know, as other mammals, birds, fish, trees, flowers, food plants, know what is happening and will happen. All we who still see, feel, know, Nature and her messages can do, is continue our own paths and let thos who cannot experience or learn, continue theirs. And pray.
An important Man said something that describes our time and future is, "They know not what they do".
Thank you, Charles, for illuminating that which I've felt instinctively for the past few decades but hadn't recognized as a main factor in stepping away from the climate change discussion. It is so much more resonant for me to focus on "the Earth is our Mother" and "we are all connected/we are not separate" than "we're going to die." We heal, care, and give reverance to Her because She is not separate from us. Caring for this land, water, air, etc. is paramount to true self- (and Self-) love.
Just yesterday I was reading an article lamenting the tyrannical methods being implemented up in Canada to deal with their garbage. The people of Canada must sort their garbage into five different containers and pay for this privilege. I could empathize with the author's sentiments, but I could also see that by eliminating garbage from my life, I was immune from these onerous consequences. I know longer identify as a "consumer" anymore. I've bought about all I can ever have or want, and have moved on to other pursuits. I don't see a whole lot of spirituality in consumerism, and though it may feel like some sort of spiritual awakening to walk away from it, it's certainly a much more enjoyable life.
Hello Charles, Thank you so much for sharing your vigorous thinking. I find it refreshing to read your perspective. ..and it has awakened a desire to share where my view diverges.
I think climate change is a specious way to avoid dealing with human difficulties with other humans. There is an argument that growing populations are having an impact but that isn’t actually what is driving the burning of rainforests or the amount of plastic in the oceans and landfills and possibly why this covid virus is such a widespread disease. The root cause seems to be greed at the expense of everything else. Presently most humans are engaged in this pursuit mainly because of servicing the cost of land and buildings but for some its simply a drive to control. This is what human beings need to confront, then the other issues of the natural world will resolve themselves. And lets not forget the infinite creativity of the Divine that responds to even human degradation and destruction with spontaneity and innovation... such a force has no need to be saved. It will survive or transform or whatever ...in fact although we impact the natural world, it is arrogant of human beings to even consider that we can or need to fix her. No we need to turn our attention to ourselves.
I believe it will take a radical view of the resources freely given... the earth, water, air to breathe, plants and animals and minerals that sustain life. We as humans have invested collectively in an ownership culture, the possession and then the profiting from what was provided for everyone. There are more than sufficient resources on this planet for every living being to have a fullsome existence without fear. Human beings with their amazing brain capacity have developed technologies to share resources when there is a natural disaster on the other side of the globe. And to provide a variety of foodstuffs and goods.
Why shouldn’t land, water, air in particular be held as tenants in common by all human beings of a nation ? In Maori the term is Kaitiaki which means stewardship or caretaker of those resources. No one should own them but there could be systems that allow for people to have the use of a piece of land for their home without an exhorbitant cost which requires a couple to work 2 or more jobs just to survive. Waterways need to be accessible for everyone and businesses that damage the air that we breathe need to stop or change their practices.
However here’s the reason why this would not be seen as workable. Because our local communities have become progressively decimated as services have become systematically centralised in a huge bureaucratic ediface and this would be dismissed as unworkable on a larger scale and perhaps this is true. But I believe the main reason it would be difficult to implement, is that we have lost the skills of collectively working together in small communities, of resolving conflicts or misdemeanours, of caring for the vulnerable, the elderly and we have been trained in individualism in order to boost productivity but at the expense of inclusion and belonging and purposefulness. The results of this are before us : widespread depression and anxiety, a huge gap between the small band of the rich and the ever increasing poor, increased violence, homelessness, substance abuse, an increased culture of dependency due to Governments that are increasingly acting as parental figures.
But I am sure it could be workable on a regional level and perhaps a pilot project could demonstrate this. But I suppose the question is, are enough people desperate enough for another paradigm where status is not the paramount value.
Namaste from an increasingly concerned New Zealander
you’re so funny - the college joke really tickled me - but more importantly I’m super excited to join the zoom event bc this has been my core purpose and passion for a long time, and I’ve been working on some pieces all winter to publish/promo soon regarding this exactly… and my new offering to help: EarthCare Coaching!! Excited to be aligned as always 🌲🖤🦋 and thank you so much for continuing to share ideas beyond the binaries :)
If everything is a mirror then perhaps global warming is indicative of humanity’s chronic inflammation. One can correct this by slowing down and reconnecting with the Earth beneath our feet. Do this and we might become more conscious custodians of our beautiful home.
Hi Charles, I am very much looking forward to this event. Your book Climate - a New Story really resonated with me. You might be interested to know that when I initially saw your fb post about this event, it was around March 1st or 2nd, and I saw a brand new flag show up, that I had never seen before. Suddenly, as we have somewhat discontinued obsessing over metrics that have been flagged in the same way over the last 2 years, a new 'climate flag' showed up... so I can now view the temperatures in my own area. It has such a "I measure therefore I am" ring to it, that I was more than deeply unsettled by it.
Something has been really moving me and prompting me in the last while, to explore what slow, curious, movement looks like. To move in such a way that whispers to the future... that pilgrimage will be part of the new story, even as we localize. Anyway, there was something that really unsettled me about this new flagging, and this new set of metrics we're being herded toward narrowly staring at... as all manner of other injustices keep freely passing us by.
You're right when you say the environmentalists made a mistake when they shifted their message to "we're, all going to die". That message makes the movement seem fundamentalist and extreme when everyone can get behind the "protect the nature we all love" movement.
https://nakedemperor.substack.com/
The story under the climate change story is population; there are too many people for a finite planet to support. So, who dies? Who chooses which ones die? This is the 800 lb gorilla in the climate change room because we all know there is going to be a die-off and maybe not accidental. Those rich guys don't party at Davos for our health.
Dearest Charles! Well, I can take liberties as I will be 74 in April, a mother and a grandmother of four - for one thing age is good! I am only writing to say that I consider myself a truly, deeply, profoundly spiritual person... However, it has always been hard for me to understand/feel why Love is courage, and lack of Love is fear! Well, I got the answer and it is in this, very strong in its simplicity, example of yours about the Mother’s love for her child! Love is Courage! My eyes are brimming with tears! Be blessed and continue your service to humanity!
Uh oh. Newly "politically ambitious" Charles E. has a narrative for the world?
Klaus! Young World Leaders! Take heed! Succeed with religion (oops, sorry, my bad)... succeed with the carrot "Beauty and Sacredness" where the stick "Fear of Death" has failed!
(and now, my narrative):
"And so, ladies & gentlemen (& all variations thereof), "spirituality" lumbers on grotesquely as a tool of persuasion, long past its' "sell by date" smelling of yesterdays' rotting, wilted buffet yet comically presenting itself as crisp, healthy sustenance."
Alright. Put on some music. Let's do "The Charles". One step forward, two steps back....spirituality is what we lack...