"The good news is that we have the technologies needed to build the new economy. The beginnings of change can be seen in the wind farms of western Europe, the solar rooftops of Japan, the growing fleet of gas-electric hybrid cars in the United States, the reforested mountains of South Korea, and the bicycle friendly streets of Amsterdam."

-Lester Brown, founder of the "Earth Policy Institute"

Our social movement will be supported, and driven, not merely by our words, but mostly by our actions.

Collective, pro-active, solution-focused projects in our communities, are our best demonstration of reclaiming our democracy.

Breaking free of the economic strangleholds of consumerist capitalism, and replacing it with creative, collaborative activities to improve our world, is the best medicine for our pain. The old slogan of think globally, act locally is more practical now than ever!

We reside in a society oriented around the system that author Harvey Wasserman identified as King C.O.N.G. (Coal, Oil, Nukes and Gas). And there are plenty of ways to start breaking our oil addiction, including investing significant resources in solar and wind power, promoting fuel efficient vehicles, and focusing on conservation and efficiency. A "low-carbon diet" is now being prescribed!

As Gandhi stated, “We must be the change which we wish to see”. When we open to our own conscious awareness with an open mind and heart, personal values emerge. And these values may project a vision of a wonderfully transformed world, including a cooperative society and authentically democratic government.

But if our own lives are not a living example of what we wish to manifest outside of ourselves, how righteous can our ideological ambitions be?

For example, many of us have an easy time criticizing the recent foreign policy of the U.S. government, especially when so much attention and dollars are directed to other nations, while we suffer domestic economic hardships. This is a great example of how we need to get our own house in order first.

We have the blessing and the curse to be living in a time in which scientists have repeatedly reported on the imminent destruction--and in many cases, collapse--of major parts of virtually all of the earth's principal ecosystems. The rate of destruction, overall, is accelerating rapidly. In spite of this abundant and verifiable evidence, political leaders continue to be elected, both in this country and abroad, who clearly do not place a high priority on protection of the environment. While it is politically correct to mention the importance of environmental conservation, the voting records of politicians make their priorities clear to see. And so we drift rapidly toward further impending disasters of catastrophic dimensions.

There are many excellent resources on the nature of the problems and what needs to be done about them. These informative resources include Web sites, books, documentary videos, educational events, and visits to areas where you can directly experience environmental degradation (although it may indeed already be evident in your neighborhood) and witness those who live without even the basics for a decent, healthy life. The good news is that there is a lot of agreement on viable solutions and the means to actualize them, though we still clearly lack the collective political will to implement these solutions.

It is also crucial to become aware of the many proposed alternative models to existing conditions. A better world is indeed possible, and an increasing number of organizations are coming up with workable designs and blueprints for a sustainable future.

RELEVANT ESSAYS

Go Green at Home and Work

What you eat ~ What you Drive

Nonviolence Revolution

Shop our Values

Ecological Avoidance Syndrome

There is Enough!

Beyond Greed and Scarcity

New Industries, New Jobs

Beyond the Oil Peak

Community Survival

Good Jobs and Energy Independence

The Long Emergency

ELAN Community

Hunger is not a Place

Organizing toward an economy of cooperation and solidarity

After Capitalism

by Dada Maheshvarananda

The World Peace Diet

by Will Tuttle