Favorite Articles To Inspire Change
The Economy Needs to Grow UP
June 2016 Dave Korten uses this expressive photograph to illustrate his most recent article in the "Living Earth Economy" series entitled "Why the Economy Should Stop Growing And Just Grow Up." Since we consume 1.6 times what the Earth can provide, we must see and practice our economic system in new ways.
Climate Change or System Change
June 2016 Visionary activist and founder of Local Futures argues that the deregulation of trade and finance through an ongoing series of “free trade” treaties – is the driving force behind climate change. As a result, the climate problem can only be tackled effectively if governments stop subsidizing globalization, and begin pursuing a localization agenda instead.More and more people are waking up to the fact that our current corporate-driven economic model is responsible for much of the destruction being inflicted on both people and the planet. It is up to civil society to lead the debate and keep the pressure on governments to change the system behind not only climate change, but the many other crises we face. Read this excellent analysis about how we need to change our system to create sustainable futures by creating more local economies.
What's Our Beef?
January 2020What we eat is a really big deal for the planet.
All of us are concerned about, aware of, or affected by extreme weather, fire, drought, heat waves, floods and hurricanes all over the world, but most of us don’t realize how much our diet affects the planetary crises we’re facing.
For example, did you know that raising animals for food produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all the cars, planes and other forms of transportation combined?
Action is needed to reverse global warming and effectively address climate change. I’ve compiled a short list of resources and facts that highlight how our diet impacts Earth’s health and ability to sustain us. They are sobering and important. You care about Earth otherwise you wouldn't be reading this, so I strongly encourage you to take a look and learn more about what a planet-friendly diet looks like.
Read "Talking Turkey, What's Our Beef?" and "At the Table of Change" in my June and July, 2018, Monthly Columns.
Standing Rock Awakens the World
May 2017It's about so much more than a pipeline.
"Standing Rock is just the tip of the spear," says a leader of the Standing Rock movement. Standing Rock continues to be a vital story even though the Dakota Access Pipeline is being constructed. The Standing Rock protectors showed us the nonviolent, prayerful civil disobedience movement that hearkens back to Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., movements that freed India and produced the Civil Rights Act. The thousands of protectors at Standing Rock inspire and encourage and empower us to do what it takes to build a sustainable and just future for all life.
Even though Mr. Trump has granted the permit for this pipeline and the Keystone XL pipeline there is an ongoing movement to turn to clean, safe energy alternatives, and stop other such pipelines that are in the works This is a "Modern-day Indian War." This is the new Selma. Stand with our Native American friends and thousands of protectors of water and sacred land. This is an urgent situation for many reasons. This is a point where environmental, economic and social justice come together. Why Standing Rock is Important for All Humanity. The Sprit of Standing Rock on the Move.
MOST RECENT UPDATES AND ARTICLES TO INFORM AND GUIDE ACTION
Water is Life and The Story of Standing Rock Won't Go Away
"This isn't the end by any means"
For news and information and how you can help at Honor the Earth.org
Highlights from Two Great Interviews About Change
January 2017 These two women—both authors, activists and teachers from the Buddhist tradition—bring wholistic and comprehensive views of our present time in American history as we begin the new administration. I've created the pdf of highlights from these interviews and the full interviews are linked as well. All are worth your reading as they bring us a hard look AND hope for change.Interview with Sharon Salzberg and Rev. angel Kuodo williams; A Guide for Spiritual Activists
Interview with Rev. angel Kuodo williams; An Unprecedented Opportunity
A Real Democracy Movement
April 2016 Early in April there was a march from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. planned by the Democracy Spring campaign, and a convergence of other rallies and demonstrations, April 2-16. Over 700 people were arrested for sitting-in and demanding that our government be for the people and not big money. Frances Moore Lappé, best known for her life-changing book, Diet for a Small Planet, is at the forefront of the movement for creating a true, living democracy. Her main message? "DON'T DESPAIR! DARE!" Check out her website, The Small Planet Institute. And read this article in YES! magazine for a great interview with Lappé. For more reasons for further optimism about taking back our democracy, read her article, "Six Pieces of a Real Democracy Movement We've Never Had Before." Progress is happening all the time to reclaim our democracy. We can all join in.
The Heart of Activism
October 2015 Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thich Nhat Hanh are models for peaceful, compassionate, and effective activism. Here are thoughts from two contemporary activists and spiritual leaders.“Marching without heart is just motion. Speeches without love are just words.”
“[For those wishing to create a better world] there is a dual purpose in our activism: to transform ourselves and to transform the world. The principal tool to produce that change is compassion. Many of us are motivated more by anger at what is wrong than expectant joy at what could be right. We need to try not to act from anger or fear.”
Sharif Abdullah, Creating A World That Works For All:
“One of the reasons I founded the Center for Action and Contemplation twenty-eight years ago was to give activists some grounding in spirituality so they could continue working for social change, but from a stance much different than anger, ideology, or willpower pressing against opposing willpower. . . . Don't operate out of the unconscious, don't begin with a "no," which is the constricted and self-promoting you. When you begin by connecting with your inner experience of communion, your actions can be pure, clear, and firm. This kind of action, rooted in one's True Self, comes from a deeper knowing of what is real, good, true, and beautiful, beyond labels and dualistic judgments of right or wrong. From this place, your energy is positive and has the most potential to create change for the good.”
Fr. Richard Rohr: