I just read an article entitled Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math. Mr. McKibben’s article discusses some aspects of global warming that are important to discuss. It goes into detail about how that amount of remaining fossil fuel reserves in the Earth are already reasonably well known, who controls them, and what the grave consequences are of their being burned.
The bottom line is that humans need to change their habits. They need to start burning less fossil fuels and relying much more on renewable resources. Even these steps are not going to be cure-alls at this point as fossil fuel usage is so tightly integrated into the infrastructure of everything.
But there are steps that can be taken. If the USA could emulate a country like Germany the implications would be profound. President Obama spoke about altering the course of the ship of state – which he said is more like an oceanliner than a yacht – by just a few degrees and how that could have vast consequences down the road.
But even if the US could get to the level of Germany it would be much more than a few degrees. It would be monumental.
But the problem comes back to the same problems America has been having for a long time. It is a political problem. Yes, one can discuss the dynamics and economics of fossil fuel companies, etc., but until the political problems are solved, it will not be of much use. If the political problems are solved, it will be of major significance and provide paths to resolving many issues related to the global warming crisis.
Think about it simply: if fossil fuel consumption is to be decreased, the prices need to be increased. But the consequences of that are not what any elected officials want to stomach. Our electoral system is a broken mess and enables there to be vast manipulation and control by special interests. Until the political problems are solved the situation is bleak.
But if the political problems can be solved – something that at this point seems like a monumental task given the way things are – things could change dramatically. If the corruption, unfairness, and manipulation of the government and the electoral process can be dealt with, then it will be possible for there to be more wise policies and true governance which can lead the US into a healing direction.
Its sad, but all the problems facing the world come from problems with the mind. I had a discussion with someone about the meaning of environmentalism and started talking about mindfulness as taught by Buddha in many of his sermons. Mindfulness is doing things with awareness. Being aware of every way we move, everything we touch, all that we do. Being in touch with the effect we have on what is is around us.
If everyone could cultivate mindfulness then, automatically, all the problems of the world would be solved. All environmental issues would simply go away.
The most significant thing every person can do to help the environment is to cultivate mindfulness. By maintaining a healthy and whole body, and being in touch with one’s body and practicing healthy things like yoga, one is saving the world.
One can see the implications of these even in less-subtle ways. For example, if a person smokes, they will be less healthy and less inclined to use a bicycle or to walk for personal transportation. They will tend to rely on fossil-fuel powered devices. By maintaining a healthy body, it enables one to practice a way of living that benefits the world. When everyone starts becoming healthy together, things can radically improve in the world.
We have to consider who is really qualified to lead in these times. What is the meaning of responsibility? What is the highest responsibility, and how can it be recognized? Its a shame, because on the one hand there is all this wisdom out there about cultivating the self and the wisdom of mindfulness, yet there’s a disconnect with the actual system which is running things.
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