I discovered something interesting the other day by following a link to my website. Apparently, I'm an ecoweenie. And so is Barack Obama. Now, until he says a big, fat no to coal, I don't like that I'm being lumped in with the US president, but I had to laugh that someone would call me an ecoweenie when I'm the one who cares about the future. (Believe me, if I could not care, I wouldn't. Ignorance is bliss, and I'm guessing that denial is, too. But once you understand what we're doing to the future of life on Earth — and feel it deeply, viscerally — you can't go back without denying your own humanity.)I've decided to turn the tables, and have started using the term "ecoweenie" to describe people who would rather make fun of those who care than care themselves. This particular ecoweenie (or maybe he's just a giant weenie), after cherry picking through this blog, provided his analysis of my "problem":
"My professional diagnosis and prescription: Irony deficient Julie needs either a drink or a smack upside the head."Isn't that sweet? Someone who gives a flying leap about the children needs a smack upside the head? Why do people waste their time writing this stuff, making the world a worse place, when they could be watching more sports on TV and staying out of our way?
Well, since this is a blog about climate compassion, I would like to send out compassion for this person's children (if he has any), and for all the ecoweenies in the world who don't realize what a difference they could make if they were on the right team, fighting for the right of future generations to have a habitable and hospitable planet.
I agree with what you've put forward. Knowledge is key. Education is primary. BUT by the time our children have are teenagers the die will have been cast. Their future will have already been decided. I don't believe we'll change soon enough. Too many people who just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteWe must, I believe, prepare for our future, the heat and fires, rain and wind, people migrating to safe havens. Our world will change. And for those who survive it will be an amazing reality.
We must move forward. We can't beat climate change but we can learn to live with it.
Rick Habgood
Hi Rick,
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, I agree that our educational efforts right now should probably be aimed at global decision makers. Climate change education one protest placard or banner at a time.
I envy your optimism about the future. It looks to me like, without rapid and radical change, the future will quickly become a thing of the past.
— Julie
My optimism comes from the fact that we humans will finally be forced to stop our plunder and pay the price.
ReplyDeleteWe cannot stop climate change. If the USA can't come to an agreement on healthcare for the uninsured, then climate change legislation won't even make it out of the starting gate.
We must think rationally. We must prepare for the future and secure responses to climate change. That was one of the main issues when we started researching the earth blocks. They are a response to cc.
I think that you're on the right path. We must educate our kids to the reality of global warming and how to deal with it. Out of all the action plans, even Copenhaven, your's make the most sense. Climate Change education is crucial to our survival as a species. Period>>>
Rick
I have to clarify one of my statements. When I wrote that climate change legislation won't make it out of the starting gate, I meant ' meaningful legislation ' which from all accounts I've read the one just passed isn't.
ReplyDelete