After an interesting evening listening to Bill McKibben and the 350.org group speak in NYC, there are several reflections that I have. McKibben wrote an article for Rolling Stone Magazine and it summarizes the issues and plans for action.
350.org is an organization that is addressing the numbers, the “math” around global warming. The storm that hit the East Coast recently, Sandy, is sadly a demonstration of exactly what the experts predict to be an outcome of global warming. McKibben is telling us that we are to target the oil companies that are making lots of money, and creating environmental degradation for which they do have to pay. They are recommending divestment and rallies. Read the article for a further understanding of their position.
We all have an opportunity, many times each day, to look at our own contribution to the global situation. We all have contributed to greenhouse gases through our activities and our purchases. At mothering Mother we are focused around what you and I can do today to help reduce our carbon footprint. Our actions, our purchases, our eating, are all political decisions that we engage in everyday. Choosing to walk or take public transit rather than drive, choosing to have less “stuff” or to buy something used, choosing to eat lower on the food chain, all are choices that we make each day.
We are all part of the problem, and we can all be part of the solution. While the work of 350.org bubbles and moves along, embrace little steps of simplicity in your own life. We are all going to need to learn to live with a little less. There can be so much joy and satisfaction within us when we engage our own “Pioneer Spirit”.
Shanthi
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| With my good friend and fellow yoga teacher Melissa. |