Somehow we have got to do many things differently, do them much more ably,
and do all of them simultaneously, collaboratively and fast. Ready or not,
like it or not, we are presented with a planetary emergency.This is the time
for making necessary behavioral changes by thinking globally and acting
locally. Science and common sense will give us direction. What we cannot do
is sit on the sidelines. No, we cannot afford to sit this one out. All hand
are needed on the deck at this critical moment in the history of our
planetary home. Our generation is simply not stepping up to the challenges
before us. The consequences of our failures appear colossal and profound
with regard to the prospects for future human well being and environmental
health. The very last thing a responsible person is to do in such
circumstances is consciously and deliberately choose to remain silent, I
believe. Are we not participants in and witnesses to yet another
preposterous failure of nerve? When are the leaders going to speak out in an
intellectually honest way and act with a sense of moral courage? How
terrible are things going to have to become on Earth before
the-powers-that-be begin to talk about and do the right things, according to
the lights and best available knowledge they possess? Whatsoever is real and
true must be acknowledged if we are to respond ably to climate
destabilization, pollution, biodiversity loss, resource dissipation,
environmental degradation and overpopulation,but the manufactured ‘nothing
is wrong’ reality is well-established and those who speak truth to power
are consistently marginalized and ignored. It is difficult even to imagine
how much can be done in such unfavorable circumstances. Still our efforts
are vital because the-powers-that-be are living in a fool’s paradise, and
the stakes are such that the things that are not being acknowledged will
likely destroy life as we know it on Earth. We know how to stop
overpopulation humanely.The gravity of this and other looming human-driven
global threats are understood and could be confronted with a long overdue
determination to do what is necessary. All of the world’s human resources,
including overrated intelligence and technology, need to be deployed in
order to overcome the emerging and converging wicked problems looming
ominously on the horizon.The-powers-that-be could save the world if they
acted with the intellectual honesty, moral courage and power they possess to
sound alarm bells, forcefully warn the world, and call out loudly and
clearly for changes toward sustainable lifestyles and right-sized corporate
enterprises. But most of the necessary changes are unlikely to happen,
The-powers-that-be want to maintain the status quo, come what may. They lack
the moral courage and the imagination to save the world we are blessed to
inhabit as a fit place for habitation by children everywhere and coming
generations.