Had a wonderful talk last night with like-minded and like-hearted friends who do a lot of thinking about the climate change emergency. Well, wonderful, hmmm. Talking about the end of the world is not wonderful. But these guys are smart and thoughtful and thought-provoking.One of our friends, Brian, has set up a petition urging the people and president of the Maldives and other climate-change-vulnerable nations to charge fossil fuel corporation CEOs such as Rex Tillerson (ExxonMobil) with crimes against humanity. These people and their corporations have been knowingly funding a denial campaign that has wasted the last 15 or 20 years — time that we could have spent solving the issue rather than debating it. Tragic and disgusting.
You can read about the petition here: http://www.briangordon.ca/stand-with-the-maldives/
and sign it here:
One of the things we discussed last night was the fact that the "other side" is winning because winning is everything to them and they don't care what tactics they use in order to win — or what gets crushed or killed along the way to winning. The side that cares about life just can't ever become like that, so we can't beat the "predators" and hence life stands a good chance of ending on this planet. It's a giant irony, isn't it?
For Brian's essay, The Predator Morality: Might Makes Right, visit http://www.briangordon.ca/2009/12/the-predator-morality-might-makes-right/.
Prepare to have your thoughts provoked!
Afterthought: This blog has been all about compassion and compassionate climate action. For the last six months, I have tried very hard to include everyone and everything on this precious Earth in my circle of compassion. This post, I realize in rereading it, breaks with that tradition. I no longer invite the deniers and their funders into this circle of compassion, though I do hold it wide open for their children and grandchildren. Indeed, it's probably not going to be compassion that saves us, but these young people who will soon rise up and become extremely — and righteously — angry with their future-destroying parents and grandparents. (I am reminded of the story of Jesus and his lack of compassion for the money changers at the temple. He is even said to have used a whip!)
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Tears for FearsEverybody Wants to Rule the World
Welcome to your life
There's no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you
Acting on your best behaviour
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world
It's my own design
It's my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the most
Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
There's a room where the light won't find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
When they do I'll be right behind you
So glad we've almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world
I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you'll never never never never need it
One headline why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
I have long thought that corporations, and policticans that knowingly slowed action on climate change to further their own goals should be charged. It has already started with many states suing utilities. I am sure Exon has been sued over its actions. But don't worry, these companies and individuals will survive. One of the newest types of insurance for executives is exactly for this purpose (Officer and Executive Liability Insurance). So, even though they might believe in climate change, they can obstruct the science and buy insurance in the event they get sued... If it was a criminal offense, now that would be something. I could see Bush, et al., in prison.
ReplyDeleteHi Remi,
ReplyDeleteIt's true, we've been letting these bullies decide the rules to the game, and for some odd reason, their rules rule out equity and fairness for the other players.
I sometimes try to picture the parents of these people — the climate change deniers and corporate monsters. What kind of upbringing did they provide to turn out (now grown) children who think it's perfectly within their rights to foreclose on the future as long as they win the game?
Well, let's keep planting the seed that killing off life on Earth ought to be treated like the crime it is.
Thanks for writing,
Julie