War, ignorant politicians, Eco-Crisis, famine, and what to do

Various wars around the globe are making the Eco-Crisis worse and placing more people on the path to starvation. One billion people already are on the brink of famine.  

Meanwhile, ignoramuses like Netanyahu, Biden, Putin, a bunch of minor tin-pot generals all over, and others ("The Establishment", including Trump) would rather pursue WAR than global common sense.  After all, war is great for the private war-machine industry, and such is a boon to the almighty secular god - an ever-growing GDP.

C'est la vie in an ecologically ignorant world.  Overall, anyway.  Here and there are some strong pockets of eco-ethics.  People in those areas will have a somewhat easier time of it when the 100mph freight train hits...which will be in large and scattered areas (in the beginning) most likely within ten years (or so).  Many places along latitudes closest to the equator probably will be the first to experience forced, massive migrations away from the heat and failing crops.  [Either from selling their crops or eating them, HALF the world's families get most of their food from subsistence farming on less than one acre per family.  At the same time, only twenty-six Super-Rich individuals have more wealth than that HALF of the world.]  

But, HEY, let's keep pouring $$$ into war machines, and electing politicians who think nuclear war is do-able, and the polluting & killing resulting from conventional war is required, eh?  That will help the Crisis soooo much.     [It's both tragic beyond belief, and hilarious in its total ignorance.]

So, what can we do?

1)  Stop drinking the Propaganda Kool Aid supplied by Oligarchs and their puppets.

2)  Be more tolerant of opposing views.  Stifle hate in yourself.  Hating each other is not helping anything.

3)  Stop electing to office those politicians who are divisive, or warmongering, or hateful, and lack compassion, civility, and statesmanship.  We need people in office who understand how great are the gifts of Mother Earth and humanity.  We don't need those who are bent on pitting one group against another, and who fail to grasp the sacredness of Earth.  Main Street is fed-up to the hilt with Leaders who have no integrity or vision.

4)  If you're short of knowledge in the following areas, educate yourself in the history of nuclear weapons, the principles of ecology, the history and/or the importance of nonviolent dissent, and Edward Bernays style propaganda.  [Yes, I know: that's a lot.  At least pick one topic:]

5)  Live an intentional, purposeful, peaceful life.  Don't be distracted by "bread and circuses", or consumerism and overconsumption.  Such only benefits the ruling Oligarchy.

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Not only my opinion.  Happy Trails

According to you-know-who,

it's all a "Chinese hoax"---

https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/repeat-photo-grinnell-glacier-1910-2007

Never mind the compulsive serial lying, the multiple indictments, the total lack of statesmanship, the whining, the constant divisive rhetoric, the lack of knowledge of almost everything, and more; simply for this item alone he never should be elected again...to any office...anywhere.

p.s.  As you probably know, what you see in the two photos has happened to glaciers all over the world, not just in Montana's Glacier National Park.  Show these photos to anyone you know who is denying that overall the planet Earth is warming.  Then ask them what they believe caused the Grinnell Glacier to lose 213 acres of ice from 1910 to 2007.  [Undoubtedly, it's even more acreage by now.]

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

Planetary Boundaries, Holocene Epoch, 1.5 Degrees Celsius, Carbon Pulse, Ecosphere, and Energy Transition

Johan Rockstrom is a brilliant PhD ecologist who, along with his colleagues, has spent fifteen years developing the concept of  "planetary boundaries".  There are nine of these boundaries, and they delineate the safe space on Earth which enables modern-day humans to live and thrive.  We have overshot six of those nine boundaries.

 https://www.youtube.com/watchv=k0aYeQrLEn0&list=WL&index=67

In the short video at the link above, Dr. Rockstrom shows what has transpired since we left the last Ice Age about 12,000 years ago.  That was the beginning of the current geologic time period, the Holocene Epoch.  All of recorded human history has been in the Holocene.  As a distinct species, we've been on Earth approximately 200,000 years; but until about 10,000 years ago, we were strictly hunter-gatherers.  That all changed with the advent of annual grain agriculture.  With the ability to store surplus grain, we could labor at tasks other than hunting and gathering food.  Eventually, division of labor led to the Industrial Revolution.

The next monumental change was the discovery and development of fossil energy.  The harnessing of the "carbon pulse" has led to great advancement, and great disaster.  Thus we have the predicament of today:  ecological overshoot by humans.

In the clip above, Rockstrom ties all the elements in my title of this post together in a clear and concise manner.  He masterfully explains what's going on re the Crisis, what needs to be done, and why the Powers-That-Be are on the wrong track when it comes to solutions.  This subject is complicated, and you may have to watch the video twice to fully grasp its significance.  Or, maybe only once.

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

The PLANET WRECKERS Report, by Oil Change International

 https://priceofoil.org/content/uploads/2023/09/OCI-Planet-Wreckers-Report.pdf

AT LEAST read the "Executive Summary" on pages 4 & 5, and then have a look at "Figure 1" on the bottom half of page 5.  Those two items give pretty much all you need to know.  It's a short read.

[Suggestion:  increase the print size to 125% or 150%.  For those who may not know:  simply click on the "+" sign at the top of the pdf page.]

The USA is "Planet-Wrecker-in Chief", followed by Canada and Russia.  What we're talking about here are plans for NEW oil and natural gas fields from 2023 to 2050.  They are not yet in production, and represent an expansion of fossil energy production.  In addition to the three countries cited above, seventeen others also will be expanding oil and gas production.

I see no evidence anywhere that most politicians are objecting to these expansion plans.  I suspect they never will unless there's a massive outcry from Main Street.  What would it take?  Ten million emails to political representatives?  Honestly, I don't know.

Some nonprofit organization would have to launch such a campaign, and relatively soon.  I do know what's highly likely (according to thousands of research scientists) if the expansion plans come to fruition:  we'll experience effects of climate chaos orders of magnitude worse than those  of today.

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Not only my opinion.  Take Care

Here's the only reasonable choice at the ballot box

Below is an email I recently sent my son, his family, and a few others.  It's slightly edited---

Sorry to hear you're under a heat dome.  It's a tragedy that as things worsen, most people appear to still continue with the belief that our society can hang onto biz as usual in terms of our way of living.

Within 10 years, 120 degrees will not be uncommon.  It may be worse than that if we don't start treating the situation as a genuine emergency.  The world's best scientists know what needs to be done (a couple hundred of them were cited in the References section of my first book), & close to none of it is being done.

Everything must change...ASAP.  Such is politically unacceptable, so politicians engage in Greenwashing, and tout their actions...

which are almost totally inadequate.

The best thing every voter could do in the political realm would be to vote for the Green Party.  Because of rampant propaganda (and the control the Republicrats/Demopublicans have over ballot-access Laws AND debates), that won't happen.

         In terms of policies & a Party Platform, the Green Party is head & shoulders above both the Repubs AND the Dems.  That's particularly true in the areas of environmental protection, economics, and foreign policy.  Be sure to watch this clip... (it's short) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6pN6x6pGwA

Dr. Cornel West (a brilliant philosopher & class struggle activist) describes the Dem Party to a tee, back then & still true today.  The Dem Party is a corporatist disaster.

[It's looking like West will be the Green Party's nominee to run for Pres. next year.  His political philosophy is equal to, or maybe even better than, that of Bernie Sanders.  Plus, he understands neoliberalism better than most national politicians.] 

Hang in There

......................... 

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

The Good Side of Nixon, the Scourge of Neoliberalism, & Why Climate Change is so Political

 All in less than six minutes---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8MOJAMbzKs&list=WL&index=68

Believe it or not, Richard Nixon was good for our environment.  After him, though, things started going downhill.  That's especially true with Reagan's brand of neoliberalism.  From then up to present-day, eco-regulations have been diluted or scrapped outright, while politicians continue to favor the fossil fuel industry, factory farming, and Big Biz in general.  Once in awhile, they throw a bone to the health of our habitat.

Largely through Edward Bernays style propaganda, environmental issues have become politicized to the Nth degree.  Too many voters have been indoctrinated to believe that environmental laws and regulations are "socialism", rather than protection for our health and the health of our common habitat.  Surely they don't believe various industries would - on their own initiative - never pollute our air, water, and land, eh?  Surely those voters don't believe emitting 36 billion tons of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere per year (worldwide) is good for our habitat, eh?  If they don't believe those things, then why do they keep voting for politicians who apparently do believe such?  Here's a big reason why:  propaganda from Mega Biz and the politicians in their back pockets.

So, step one in shifting to a sustainable existence on Earth:  stop drinking the Propaganda Kool-Aid supplied by The Establishment.  Those who are serving it up are ecologically ignorant beyond the pale.  They are technocrats with little-to-no knowledge of Nature, and apparently zero knowledge of how our existence depends upon the proper functioning of natural ecosystems.

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Not only my opinion.  Take Care

Mother Nature has been sending the world a message re getting back to "normal"

 Unfortunately, it appears too many of us aren't understanding it.

Here's the message---

.................

"Your 'normal' is gone, and it won't be back for decades, or perhaps ever.  Why?  Because too many Powers-That-Be and Main Street people have ignored ecological principles for much too long.  They have failed to understand the importance of natural ecosystems, and the fact that natural Laws apply to humans.  Plus, too many continue to believe the ongoing pursuit of ever-increasing, perpetual economic and population growth will not further damage the biophysical basis of your existence.

"Too many seem to think the current extreme weather events on Earth are merely flukes, and soon will fade back to 'normal'.  Sorry, that's a false belief.  Unless you take significant action immediately, things only will get worse.  Such is not only in regard to weather, but also in regard to disease, soil, fresh water availability, the food supply, and clean air.  Wake up; you're in a crisis of unprecedented proportions.  Support those who are working hard to solve it; shun/boycott those who are not.

To make matters worse, you're still going to war with each other during the Eco-Crisis of the Ages.  I guess you figure:  the air is already so overloaded with greenhouse gases, more of that won't matter much at all.  Plus, apparently you believe that war won't affect the global cooperation necessary to address your ongoing, existential, and ecological threat.  That's the height of ignorance."

..................

As a concerned human, I'll add the following---

For a few decades, I've been amazed at how voters continue to elect to crucial offices mostly those candidates (regardless of political Party) who essentially are illiterate when it comes to ecology and the decades-long Eco-Crisis.  I imagine there are many reasons for such a scenario, but surely the last three years or so have given the vast majority of people pause to reconsider.

Democrats and Republicans have had their shot, and they've failed.  The crisis we're in is, in large part, due to their policies.  Mega Biz also is largely responsible.  So are voters and consumers of junk.  Eco-overshoot reigns supreme.  If my grandkids are to have a decent future, everything must change.

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

An Editorial Review from Online Book Club

 https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?p=2237558#p2237558

If you truly want to be a positive force in the transition to a sustainable Earth, have a look at this Review of my first book.

Thanks, and be well.

Ecologist William E. Rees on: overshoot, carbon dioxide, cities, and human thinking

 In this short clip, Prof. Rees is interviewed by another comprehensive thinker, Prof. Nate Hagens (The Great Simplification, also on YouTube).  This is an excerpt from a longer talk.  If you wish to increase your ecological knowledge, don't miss this---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1vX03h7w9c&list=WL&index=67

It seems to me that too many of our public & private Powers-That-Be are stuck in reductionist (as opposed to holistic) thinking.  As a result, as a species we're not yet approaching the mitigation of the Eco-Crisis in any comprehensive manner.  Here are a few specifics---

1.  Why is there no U.S. Dept. of Sustainability, or same in any other country?

2.  Which of the Powers-That-Be is addressing the soil crisis, or the acidification of the ocean, or the massive pollution of the ecosphere by micro-plastics, or pollution by endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or biodiversity loss (there is a bit of progress with this one), or how all these and more are linked?

3.  Which of the Powers truly understands the need for economic  development which is sustainable, as opposed to mindless economic growth which perpetually produces more mountains of rubbish (thus overwhelming Earth's waste-neutralizing capacity)?

4.  How many of the Powers really grasp this concept:  if we don't address the human overpopulation problem, Nature will - via massive starvation, famine, disease, and untimely death?

5.  How many of the Powers understand that technological advances are one of the main reasons we are now in a socio-eco-econ-ethical Crisis of the Ages?  Why?  Because those Tech advances were almost blindly implemented, with little thought to possible unintended consequences, and even less thought to monitoring & regulating their implementation.  A prime example is the petrochemical industry.  It has brought us great convenience, and monumental damage to health and ecosystems.  It's folly to believe that Technology alone now will save us.

Holism v. Reductionism---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_kbt7h1YRw&list=WL&index=63

..........................

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

HOPE, from one of the greatest...

 conservationists on the planet---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH3VzkG8u2o&list=PLpCH1XIO3lYtRELTupGHOfrbylNlPhPKR&index=3

Here's an important snippet from this less-than-6-minutes talk:

"...the absurd idea that we can have infinite economic growth on a planet with finite resources."  Amen.

Unfortunately, probably 90% of our politicians believe in that "absurd idea".  We can change that, IF we have the desire & will to do so.

A few cardinal rules re our current Eco-Crisis:

1.  Ecological overshoot will not be mitigated enough by advances in Technology if we continue to pursue infinite economic growth.

2.  Earth's waste assimilating/neutralizing capability is being overwhelmed by our pursuit of perpetual growth.

3.  Healthy, natural ecosystems are crucial to our thriving on this planet.

4.  Economic development does NOT require constant economic growth.

5.  Yes, Earth does have a carrying capacity, and that applies regardless of technological advances.  While those advances can somewhat increase said capacity, such is true only up to a point.  Beyond that point, Nature tells us to back off, slow down, and cultivate some ecological sense.

............................

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

An Editorial Review from Online Book Club

 

Review of The Beginning of the Path to Human Extinction, and HOW TO GET OFF IT -

Unread post by Grace Lee Rose » Yesterday, 14:19

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Beginning of the Path to Human Extinction, and HOW TO GET OFF IT -" by Scott C. Haley.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Share This Review

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The Beginning of the Path to Human Extinction and HOW TO GET OFF IT - Notes on a Paradigm Shift is a book that focuses on the breakdown of ecological crises. These elements cause environmental crises, such as neoliberalism, overconsumption, and many more. Many people worldwide are aware of the ecological disaster that the Earth is facing. However, very few people are educated on how they might help the Earth survive and thrive. This book addresses potential remedies to the looming ecological problem with enough references to authoritative sources and research. Read Scott C. Haley's book for more information.

Many people are aware that the planet is in peril. This is not a debate over whether or not Earth will survive; it will. It does not take a genius to recognize and comprehend that the existence of the Earth is dependent on a communal solution. That is the subject of this book. This book investigates solutions to assist in the healing of the earth. The issue of environmental preservation is extensive. When it comes to the numerous ways in which the planet can survive, many aspects have been disregarded over the years. The bulk of us are well aware that human actions are to blame for the planet's deterioration. Some human activities that endanger the ecosystem include deforestation, environmental pollution, monoculture farming, and many others. I feel that many people are still unaware of the impact their actions have on the environment. Not only do people not comprehend, but many others in other parts of the world, particularly developing countries, are not educated on how to save the planet.

I appreciate how Haley took the time to explain the relationship of various life forms to the ecosystem and how these creatures help keep the earth operating. Haley does not only discuss human activities that are causing the extinction of several species. He also addresses concrete ideas that can help prevent human-caused environmental damage. Haley's detailed and elaborate depiction in this book addressed some aspects of environmental sustainability, such as how eco-ethics plays a significant role. I enjoyed all of the references in this book that the author included. For example, on page 49 of 173, after briefly discussing nuclear waste, the author invites readers to YouTube to gain a fuller understanding of the issue he previously mentioned. This makes the information in this book more conventional and intense.

Furthermore, there was nothing in this book that I found objectionable because I found myself agreeing with Haley's analysis. Reading this book taught me how to contribute to the earth's sustainability.

In addition, I found no errors in this book, which shows it was exceptionally edited. Thus, I rate The Beginning of the Path to Human Extinction and HOW TO GET OFF IT - Notes on a Paradigm Shift 5 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this book to individuals of all ages, young and elderly. This is because it includes strategies for every human to help Earth survive by lessening ecological crises through numerous approaches.

*****
The Beginning of the Path to Human Extinction, and HOW TO GET OFF IT -
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Climate Change & other eco-disasters are SYMPTOMS of ""THE meta-problem of humanity - ecological overshoot"

Prof. William E. Rees is one of the best comprehensive thinkers now on our planet.  In the short talk at the link below, he explains why the Establishment generally is on the wrong path regarding solutions to the ongoing Eco-Crisis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3nCFwhV-9E&list=WL&index=91

For the most part, our public and private policy makers are dealing with symptoms of the Crisis, while more or less ignoring the meta-problem of eco-overshoot.  We humans are gobbling up resources faster than Earth can regenerate them.  In addition, we're filling up waste sinks (bodies of water, the atmosphere, etc.) with pollutants faster than Earth can assimilate & neutralize them.  Finally, our "solutions" to the Crisis are almost all in the framework of perpetual growth with more & more consumption.  This won't work; Rees brilliantly explains why not in the concise clip above.  [The first person you see merely is introducing the good Professor.]

If you truly wish to understand the path we need to be on, this video is a must-see.

.........................

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

More on Emergence, Synergy, & Complexity Theory, and Why Study of Them is Necessary to Avoid Total Catastrophe

The relevant video link is at the end of this brief essay.

Complexity theory is a relatively new approach to scientific inquiry, and is characterized by systems thinking, AKA, synthetic holism.  [The adjective here, "synthetic", refers to "synthesis" rather than "artificiality".]  The traditional method of scientific inquiry, analytical reductionism, has served us well (and continues to do so); however, it has severe limitations when it comes to analyzing complex systems, e.g., ecosystems or financial networks.

Any complex system has as a key component the phenomenon known as synergy - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  Thus, synergy produces emergent properties in the system, new properties not detectable by reductionism with its linear mathematical equations.  Emergence is nonlinear.  Emergent properties, the understanding of which is key to solving problems in a complex system, cannot be identified and dealt with by analyzing individual parts or the sum of those parts.

We must use reductionism where appropriate, but then go beyond it with systems thinking.  That's the best hope for avoiding total devastation regarding our ongoing socio-eco-econ-ethical Crisis.  For a brilliant visualization of emergence, synergy, etc., view the short clip at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN6SaRmF_8c&list=WL&index=94&t=440s

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

The canary in the coal mine...

 is silently screeching...just before it's gone---

https://www.democracynow.org/2022/11/8/headlines/report_ice_levels_collapsing_at_levels_unthinkable_just_a_decade_ago 

Please spread the note below far & wide--- 

In about 10 years or so (maybe less, maybe more), none of the current crazy politics will matter.  WHY?  Humans will be spending most of their time trying to survive the multi-faceted Eco-Crisis.  Multiple millions of people will be migrating, trying to find a livable habitat.  Even those not migrating will be suffering as never before.  Because of trophic cascades and feedback loops in the ecosphere (already started), as well as no truly significant mitigating actions by humans at the required scale , it will be an unprecedented catastrophe.  

People finally will pull their heads out of the sand & wake up, but it will be too late.  OR, they won't wake up & instead remain in the dark while blaming the Repubs...or the Dems.  Such is the degree of ecological ignorance in the USA today.  The dark side of tribalism (along with the Plutocracy) wins, & the prize is an unmitigated disaster.

Finally, it isn't only climate that's an existential threat to humanity.  There's the water crisis, the soil crisis, the disease crisis, the food crisis, the ethical crisis, the biodiversity crisis, and several others.  They're all systemic and deeply interconnected.  So, what can be done that isn't being done?

Once again, here's my contribution to solutions---

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-beginning-of-the-path-to-human-extinction-and-how-to-get-off-it-scott-haley/1141364431?ean=2940160947181

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Not only my opinion.  Take Care 

Hypothesis Number Two: It's likely the sincere people who are not concerned about...

our ongoing Eco-Crisis have such a view because they analyze and evaluate concepts by means of reductionism.  In that method of analysis, whatever is being examined is broken down into its constituent parts.  Each part is thoroughly evaluated separate from the others, and then the various parts are added together to determine some sort of conclusion regarding the whole.  Such a method can be extremely misleading when dealing with complex (not just complicated) systems.  Complexity is nonlinear.  [A motor vehicle is a linear system; it's "complicated", but the behavior of the "whole" is predictable by examining the individual parts.  Thus, it's not a complex system.]

Instead, for complex items (such as the Eco-Crisis, or even a single ecosystem, or a single living organism), the method of examination described in General Systems Theory should be utilized.  Why?  The approach used in Systems Theory (the updated version doesn't include the word "General") is holistic, not reductionist.  It uses synthesis rather than only analysis of parts.  It is aware of synergy:  a whole system is greater than the sum of its individual parts, which means the behavior of a whole system is unpredictable from the analysis of only its parts.

The above is true because a whole system produces emergent properties, or emergence.  Such properties are found in complex, self-organizing, dynamic, whole systems rather than in individual parts.  Emergence often is unpredicted, and a big surprise to people who adhere to reductionism.  Briefly, following are a couple of examples of emergent properties.

1.  The human body is a complex, dynamic, synergistic system.  It's made up of innumerable parts, from macroscopic to microscopic.  You may examine bones, or blood cells, or the stomach, or brain cells, or the heart, or the adrenal glands...but you will never find the emergent properties of anxiety, fear, anger, or love in those parts.  Only the whole "system" is capable of such.  [The human body produces many other forms of emergence.]

2.  A forest of hundreds of acres also is a complex, dynamic, synergistic system.  Examine a leaf, a strip of tree bark, a beetle, a squirrel, a clod of soil, or even a single tree...and you still won't find the emergent property of rainfall over a large area.  That rainfall often is the result of the process of green plant transpiration in all the trees combined.  Water is taken in by the roots, distributed throughout the plant, and a small portion of it is used to support individual cells of the organism.  The vast majority of it, however, is moved from the leaves to the atmosphere.  Depending upon various factors, it then can result in rainfall.  [Forests also produce many other forms of emergence.]

All ecosystems and all living organisms (even a bacterium) are complex systems.  Synergy applies, nonlinearity applies, and emergence applies.

The point being:  our Eco-Crisis involves complex, dynamic, nonlinear, living systems which only can be properly understood by taking a "systems theory" approach.  It's no wonder to me why people (of all kinds) using a reductionist, linear approach are perplexed, puzzled, and confused over the urgency of the Crisis.  They simply can't see it.  [I'm not talking about folks who see it full well, but are concerned only with promoting corporatism's greed.]

This little essay did not explain how to apply Systems Theory toward understanding and solving the socio-eco-econ-ethical crisis because such an explanation would take multiple, multiple pages.  Books have been written on the subject.  Google it.  Awhile back, I listed several of them on this venue when I shared the bibliography for my first book.  

In two parts:

   http://individualsovereignty.blogspot.com/search/label/Bibliography    In particular, especially see:  Lent, Jeremy 2021; and Ratcliffe, Jennie M. 2021.

With the holistic approach of Systems Theory, we can effectively deal with the present Crisis.  But, to be effective, we must ignore the propaganda coming from corporatists and their political puppets, and we must sway the sincere nonbelievers.

...............

Not only my opinion.  Take Care

KUDOS to the Hot Shot Wildfire Fighters

 I'm recently back from a 2nd wildfire evacuation which lasted well over two weeks.  The first one lasted only a tad over four days.  We had three days at home until the second evac.  What a nightmare, especially for people my age.  This post will be shorter than most because I'm pretty well exhausted.

The Hermit Peak fire merged with the Calf Canyon fire to become the largest fire in New Mexico's history.  It ravaged (among other places) the little valley where I live.  A tiny town a few miles down the road from me (Mora, population about 1,000 or so) is now housing approximately 900 Hot Shot firefighters.  Even though the fire is now past our valley, they expect to keep Mora as their base until the end of July.  Their herculean efforts here saved most of our homes, including mine and all my neighbors.

In my opinion, these firefighters (as well as all urban firefighters) have jobs as tough as any combat soldier does.  They deserve every bit as much respect and thanks.  KUDOS to all of them.

All the extreme, over-the-top wildfires have various causes, and at the top of that list is anthropogenic Climate Disruption.  Until we seriously and significantly address that issue, look for more beyond-the-pale fires.  At least, such is my opinion...and that of all other ecologists I've read or heard in the last twenty years.

................

Be Well

The Beginning of the Path...

 https://twitter.com/ScottHa85992272/status/1517008688757805057?s=20&t=g-cyDZeraww1yNhJ6JaPwQ

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-beginning-of-the-path-to-human-extinction-and-how-to-get-off-it-scott-haley/1141364431?ean=2940160947181

The eBook version is now available. The paperback version will be shortly. If you scroll down at the Barnes & Noble page (above) to "About the author", you'll get a better idea of my qualifications for writing the book.

................................

Be Well

"The End of Politics"

 https://mahb.stanford.edu/blog/the-end-of-politics/

The short essay at the link above contains the most important concept you'll ever read relative to the socio-eco-econ-ethical Crisis upon us.  Understanding that concept is critical to preserving organized human existence on Earth.

Politics will not save us.  In fact, it is doing the exact opposite.  It (along with corporatism) has put us on the beginning of the path to human extinction... and that's not hyperbole.

.................

Not only my opinion.

p.s.  Thanks to all who have boarded the Sustainability Train.  To everyone else:  please open your mind.

NY Times: "40 Million People Rely on the Colorado River. It’s Drying Up Fast."

 The article was well done.  The water crisis is here and now, and it's much worse than only water above ground. 

It isn't only surface water that's concerning; it's groundwater, as well.  Most H2O used by humans comes from aquifers below the surface, not from surface bodies of water; and they're being depleted fairly rapidly.  Even with the mega drought in most of the West, I fear too many people in the USA do not grasp the seriousness of our ongoing water crisis.  They see lots of water in various places, but may not understand that most of it is unavailable to humans.  

Of all the H2O on Earth, only 1% of it is available for drinking, bathing, cooking, etc.  The rest is either salt water or glacial ice or fresh water in remote places, or places where it relatively quickly runs to the ocean.  By 2040, most human habitats in the world won't have enough water to meet year-round demand, & that includes most of the USA...unless we drastically alter our water use.  

Step one: no lawn or golf course or sports field (& the like) anywhere should ever be watered...unless we figure out a really low-energy, cheap way to desalinate sea water.  Presently, that's not in the cards.  It's time to end the Great American Lawn Fetish.  It wastes water, and artificial fertilizers & herbicides used on lawns run off, polluting streams & lakes.  Lawn runoff contributes to eutrophication of bodies of water.  Have you ever seen or smelled a eutrophic lake?  There are plenty of alternatives to grass lawns.

Here's a vid that every person on Earth should watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C65iqOSCZOY&list=WL&index=57&t=7s

It was on Netflix at one time.  Perhaps you've seen it.  This would wake up people.  Potable water will be the next gold...relatively scarce, and a high value asset.

.............

Not only my opinion.  Be Well