Urgent and Exciting: Global Change, Climate Action & The Power of Collective Voice

       The post could also be called Connecting the Dots, or What Can We Do?  In it I want to share my enthusiasm, concern, excitement, for what’s happening, as well as some awesome and inspiring links relating to these pressing issues. I also urge you to engage with these movements in any ways you see fit.

       In case you choose not to read further, I offer this incredible musical, flash-fire graphical collage of Billy Joel’s song, We Didn’t Dtart the Fire, an homage to the 40 years of history since Joel’s birth.  It’s a masterpiece, and provides a bit of context for what follows.

       Here, then, as I see it, are some of the major events and issues building around us:

     •  the global Occupy Revolution

     •  the increasing urgency of addressing climate change now

     •  the pending decision by Obama regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline

     •  the Canadian government’s backing of the Tar Sands, the Enbridge Pipeline and oil tankers down the pristine BC north coast

     •  the devastating implications of wealthy individual’s and corporations’ control of our economies, lives, governments. elected officials…

     •  the expanding gap between the wealthiest and the poorest, especially in the US but also in Canada and elsewhere

     •  the imminent financial crisis in the US, Europe and beyond

       I was going to present just a couple, try to ‘keep it simple,’ but they are so clearly all linked and interconnected, we must address the whole complex.   It seems undeniable that civilization, as we have known it, is changing, and has to change, for better or for worse.  We cannot go on with ‘business as usual.  We are part of making the choice about what the future will look like and hold.   Maybe this is all related to the approach of 2012, with its possibility of radical (meaning fundamental) transformation. Who knows!  But things are really popping!

       Here are some quotes, links, and images.  Take your pick.  But do pick and do act.

       Warm regards, blessings, love, hope, joy, gratitude, courage, wisdom, and be sure to read through to the end for a big smile,

Here are some selected thoughts and links related to what’s popping (order not

significant ).  Most links have suggestions for actions you can take.

1. The Occupy Movement is Too Big to Fail  Here’s hoping!  Have a look.
2. Momentum is building to convince Obama to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline that would take the dirty, tar sands oil across the middle of the US. Check this link and pass it on.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently wrote a letter to Secretary of State Clinton, expressing deep concerns over Keystone XL. He said that it would be “wiser to invest instead in job-creating clean energy projects.”   Could be good news, eh?
3. Michael Moore (he’s radical, for sure, but one of my heros), speaks of how the Occupy movement is spreading.  “… 59% of the U.S. (according to the latest poll) is already in support of the Occupy movement… I know of no other cause in my lifetime that has exploded this fast and achieved majority support this quickly. There is much more to be done, and I invite and encourage every single one of you to do what you can to “Occupy” your towns so that the message is heard loud and clear by the banks and corporations: “This is OUR country, WE are the people — and a corporation is not a person.” The richest 400 Americans having more than 150 million Americans combined is not only immoral and undemocratic, it is an act of violence. It kills people, here and abroad. Whether it’s the $2 billion a week we throw away on the U.S. war in Afghanistan, or the 45,000 Americans who die every year because they lack adequate health insurance, the days of Greed are going to come to an end because The People have had it. “
4. In the past 30 years, 96% of the growth of average incomes in the US have gone to the richest 10% of the country. Here’s a picture of the past and present inequities.
5. Adbusters is really on the ground in the Occupy movement.  It’s inspiring.
6. As protests against financial power sweep the world, science may have confirmed the protesters’ worst fears.An analysis of the relationships between 43,000 transnational corporations has identified a relatively small group of companies, mainly banks, with disproportionate power over the global economy… Here’s the detail.  Not pretty.
7. Check out Lead Now, an exciting new Canadian, Avaaz-like group.  They are on to the big movements, and let you join in, from your seat at home, or in real time.  They’re working hard on the Tar Sands, the Pipe Line and the Occupy movement.
8. Warren Buffet has some suggestions to ‘fix’ congress and the economy.  Bet they would work!  I checked in out on Snopes, and it’s true that these are from him.

What Can We Do? Practical Actions for Change

• Finally, consider these actions as well, for all sentient beings and the planet:
• – Pray or meditate
• – Vision: what would we like to see?
• – Use our social capital, especially those of us who are middle class and up
• – Mobilize our friends, church, associations, etc. for statements of solidarity, prayers, letters to politicians
• – Attend the Occupy events near you, especially in nice clothes.
• – Offer facilitation services

Hope, Humor, and Human Resilience