There are two ways to think about war in relation to environmental devastation. Envisioning actions against environmental injustice as an anti-war movement The impacts of wars on our environment After the Vietnam War, it seemed the peace movement in this country had died. But I came to understand work for peace now is to work … Continue reading World War Earth
Month: July 2023
Planetsick
As I sometimes say, I'm usually not sure what I'll be writing about when I sit in front of a blank page (i.e. laptop screen). I say this every so often because writing is a spiritual practice for me. I find it difficult to express my spirituality in words. So I hope the stories convey … Continue reading Planetsick
Extreme heat and human adaptability
The relentless extreme air and water temperatures are shocking. People are wondering when, or even if there will be relief. Fear what the future holds. Last summer, searing temperatures across Europe led to more than 60,000 deaths. ‘We need a cultural shift in the way we think about extreme heat. Extreme heat is deadly and rapidly on … Continue reading Extreme heat and human adaptability
What can I do?
Recently, I've been writing about activism (good and bad). It's been difficult for me to express why I believe it is essential that our justice work be centered in the Spirit. There is a graveyard littered with the carcasses of things well-meaning people tried to do but failed. Those failures were because spiritual guidance was … Continue reading What can I do?
What is bad activism?
This is a continuation of my recent post, What is good activism? There were several items on my list in that article that I wanted to discuss more deeply. My Quaker meeting is in the process of deciding what justice work we are led to do in the coming year. How to convince Friends and … Continue reading What is bad activism?
What is good activism?
What is good activism? is the title of an article just published by Eliza Daley. I've been thinking about this question for several reasons. And as good questions often do, this has led to some answers but more questions. This is relevant to me now for several reasons. My Quaker meeting is in the process … Continue reading What is good activism?
Global Shockwave and Fear
The consequences of relentlessly increasing greenhouse gases are suddenly appearing and being felt globally. Across the world, air temperatures are reaching lethal levels. These levels of heat are exacerbating drought, wildfires, storms, flooding, and melting ice. Even environmentalists are shocked by the extent of these sudden changes. And people are beginning to understand these changes … Continue reading Global Shockwave and Fear
Entering A New Phase of Climate Change
Unprecedented changes need a new vocabulary to describe them. New terms I've been learning include wicked problems, civilizational emergency, polycrisis, and nexus. Less than four years ago I first learned about Mutual Aid. Being part of Des Moines Mutual Aid has significantly changed my life for the better. Provides hope that even as we are … Continue reading Entering A New Phase of Climate Change
The Coming Age of Climate Regret
"The Coming Age of Climate Regret. Our Future Selves Will Ask Our Present Selves: Why Didn’t You Do More To Stop This?" is the title of a recent article by umair haque. My subtitle today is "When environmental devastation finally became real for the general public." This is the summer climate change arrived, with a … Continue reading The Coming Age of Climate Regret
Extreme Heat, Polycrisis, and Mutual Aid
Even though I'm a lifelong environmentalist, I'm shocked by the explosion of extreme heat worldwide. I thought we would continue to see the slowly evolving crises as temperatures gradually increased. I thought there would be gradual migrations of people from areas affected by storms, infrastructure destruction, or drought. But now mass migrations look likely to … Continue reading Extreme Heat, Polycrisis, and Mutual Aid
Polycrisis Center 