I was born in 1955, my parents were eclectic, and into keeping up on current events and taking their kids to interesting places and helping us develop individual talents. That’s important because since a child I was aware of what a pivotal moment humanity had reached.
By the time I started high school in 1969, society had become well aware of the situation, our emissions were a big problem, as was over fishing, and deforestation, and the military industrial complex. By then we, as a people, had also learned that air pollution went well beyond smog, it went high up into the very atmospheric insulation that made life on Earth possible in the first place.
Long story short, our knowledge and our numbers were increasing exponentially, yet we lived on this isolated finite island of life and wonder, spinning way in a cold lifeless universe. The balance sheet of natural systems was disregarded, heck it was treated with contempt.
We had a fantastical planet with natural resources beyond the counting, and a climate system that was moderate and predictable.
On a down to Earth physical reality factual basis, it was finally dawning on scientists that Earth was finite and it could only support X amount of people, extracting Y amount of resources.
Were that balance and the tipping points that came with it where, was a point of much debate, but the fundamental reality of the problem and the inexorably dangerous trend was plain as simple math.
The scientists did their best to convey their findings and tell the story of Earth and her history. As a proactive spectator I can tell you it’s been an amazing ride of discovery and enlightenment this past half century. Most importantly, all of this incoming information was reaffirming the tenuous nature of humanity’s reign over Earth and the admonition to go forward deliberately, with much forethought and an obligation to future generations in our hearts.
A cold sober look at the global situation and it’s obvious that we needed to slow down.
Yes. Slow down.
Rather than racing to consume ever more and more, faster and faster, we needed to learn to moderate our consumption. Even more importantly, we needed to change our attitude towards Earth and to invest in protecting and nurturing the natural world and oceans. Finding a healthy balance between all our material desires and maintaining a healthy planet and leaving our descendants a health future.
Here we are 2023 and the collapse is happening, small, here a little, there a little, but every season a few more hits. Too little water, too much water, too much heat followed by outrageous storms, from here on out, it’s a crap shoot. As will be, the grocery shelves, that we’ve taken so for granted, for oh so long.
Metalhead, I can’t feel your pain, there’s no depth to it, you’re just flailing, wish you’d up your game.
I do feel my own pain and buddy it’s deep, mingled with memories of learning to dash under my desk with butt towards windows at the the sounding of a horn. I heard the lessons politicians and business leaders professed to have learned. I learned to listen to the talk and watch the walk and have been sorely disappointed too often. Nothing changed. Even though we had, arguably, the most educated, democratic global society ever.
Turned out human avarice saturates the human race, the haves, up-and-comers, chasers, even our poor, when given half a chance.
Worse, the masses have had to double down with astounding disconnect and commitment to out’n out delusional thinking, unable to muster the imagination, nor courage, to consider the consequences of their hateful double dealings with others, and stupid decision towards this planet we depend on.
Here at home, USA was supposed to be a pluralistic society, where we worked together and learned from each other. Where we honestly faced our mistakes and consequences, thereby learning some lessons to help guide the rest of our days.
So here we are, you don’t like MSM, but are fine with Twitter, and it seems you don’t appreciate the irony.
okay, touche’