WHALE: Blog

Superman, who has long stood for “truth, justice, and the American way” has decided that in order to be better able to respond to global issues, that he needed to renounce his U.S. citizenship.

After participating in a peaceful non-violent demonstration in Tehran, Iran, one of the President’s national security advisors was angered at the diplomatic problems that Superman had caused.  From the Iranian perspective Superman was viewed as an agent of the U.S. government and thus his appearance in Iran was viewed as an act of war.

Superman acknowledges that it was foolish on his part to think that his actions would not reflect politically on the American government. He decided to respond to this problem by renouncing his U.S. citizenship at the United Nations for all the world to know.

Superman commented that “Truth, Justice, and the American Way, is not enough anymore” to be able to deal with global justice issues.

Rumors began to circulate that Superman was concerned that Donald Trump might soon be asking to see his birth certificate, or that he might be charged as an illegal alien.   Others speculated that his viewing Sam Keen’s Global Justice presentation coupled with the experience in Iran led him to the conclusion that his U.S. identity was getting in the way of solving global problems.

Comics Alliance reports, “It doesn't seem that he's abandoning those values, however, only trying to implement them on a larger scale and divorce himself from the political complexities of nationalism. Superman also says that he believes he has been thinking "too small," that the world is "too connected" for him to limit himself with a purely national identity. As an alien born on another planet, after all, he "can't help but see the bigger picture."”  

Issues such as nuclear disarmament, peace, human rights, international justice, and protection of the environment, are issues that need global cooperation. Global issues require all citizens of the world. like Superman, to evolve their thinking.   Like Superman, we might all benefit if we stop thinking so small, by seeing the global connections, and the bigger picture that we are one planet, one people.   As one human family we might all do better focusing on our oneness more than our differences.

Former U.N. Under-Secretary General Anwurl Chowdhury echoed a similar theme in his recent visit to Tampa Bay, Florida, where he commented on the need for Global Oneness to solve Global problems.  Ambassador Chowdhury's comment

U.S. citizens need not renounce their citizenship to take a more global world view or to see the big picture.   They can in fact encourage their government to do the same through stronger support of the United Nations and/or joining groups such as the United Nations Association USA, Friends of the U.N., or supporting the Global Healing Initiative.

Together we can make a super effort for a more just and sustainable planet.

In 1970 Dave was a student at California Lutheran University and held the position of Religious Activities Commissioner in the Student Government.

With the support of Rev. Gerry Swanson, the College Chaplain, and the assistance of two other students, Will Hall and Susie Struck, Dave reallocated his budget to celebrate the first Earth Day.

So many good ideas soon surfaced that the event quickly became a week-long celebration and included, not only the college community, but the entire city of Thousand Oaks, California.

The week long program included:

• Clifford Humphrey, founder of Ecology Action and dubbed "Grandfather of the Recycling Movement". His photo pushing a globe in a baby buggy made the cover of New York Times magazine that first Earth Day 1970.

• Beach clean-up and party

• Tree planting at the campus chapel and service for the Earth

• Free community movie, featuring the story of John Wesley Powell's exploration of the Grand Canyon in the Walt Disney movie. "The Ten Who Dared", along with a Donald Duck cartoon about littering.

• Lecture on air pollution from professor from Oxnard

• Lecture on population, pollution, and survival from Dr. Wayne Davis.

• Danny Cox, who provided an outdoor concert and picnic preceded by a litter clean-up day.
Some of the key issues of the day, were how to stop pollution (especially litter), recycling, air pollution, and toxic chemicals being used in fertilizers.

The first Earth Day attracted an estimated 20 million participants in programs across the nation. The event was so politically popular that that Congresspersons and Senators scrambled to find a place to give a speech to their constituents as Congress was closed for the day.

Soon after, strongly bipartisan efforts worked to establish the U.S. EPA, and pass environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Act.

The Earth Day efforts were supported by business and labor, Republicans and Democrats, farmers and city dwellers; and the rich and the poor of our nation.

In fact, being for a more clean and healthy environment was so politically popular that Sen. Jacob Javitz from New York expressed concern that people were working so hard for the environment that they might forget other issues like poverty, hunger, and the war.

Reese remembers his first Earth Day planting lemon and orange trees in Marin County. I remember thinking that someday these bee-pollinated fruit trees would give us such a wonderful bounty of citrus; and today those trees yield such a plentiful crop that we give more than three quarters of them away as gifts from the Earth.

Fast forward 20 years from the first Earth Day, and the issues were beginning to become more complex, though a spirit of optimism and plans for large-scale international cooperation for solutions still prevailed.

In 1987 the Bruntland Report, Our Common Future, had been published outlining a global agenda and potential solutions through international cooperative efforts.

That same year, the Montreal Protocol, provided the world with a great example of how international cooperation could solve serious environmental problems and addressed the pressing issue of the depletion of the ozone layer and put the planet on track to recover by the year 2050.

In 1989, our colleague, Dr. Noel Brown, former Director of UNEP for the North American Region and U.N. Headquarters in NY, was instrumental in achieving the success of the Montreal Protocol. He spoke of the upcoming challenges of climate change and the hopeful possibility that the U.N. would give the Earth actual rights and empower a new group to enforce those rights of the Earth.

This new spirit of international cooperation set the tone for the 20th Earth Day anniversary in 1990, where people were preparing for the upcoming Earth Summit in 1992. In the short 20 years, Earth Day had gone from a largely U.S. event with 20 million people to an international event with 200 million participants from 145 countries.

The issues now included climate change, deforestation, population, conserving biodiversity, a possible new Earth Charter, and a program for sustainable development.

In 1992, the optimism and previous foundation of international cooperation was weakened considerably at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While the Earth Summit did move forward with a Climate Convention and Biological Diversity Convention, there was opposition to both. The Forest Convention was watered down to a statement on Forest Principals, the Earth Charter was reduced to a short Rio Declaration, and population was removed from the agenda altogether. Despite these setbacks, Agenda 21 was put in place as a global blueprint to move the world to sustainable practices and governance.

Fast forward to 20 years later to 2010, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Scientists have now identified limits to the Earth's systems. In an article in Nature, Johan Rocstrom and his co-authors argue that to avoid catastrophic environmental change, humanity must stay within defined planetary boundaries. If one boundary is transgressed, then safe levels for other processes could also be under serious risk. The planetary boundaries include: climate change, ocean acidification, atmospheric aerosol loading, chemical pollution, land system changes, ozone depletion, overload of phosphorus and nitrates, and decreasing fresh water resources.

While the problems are more serious, needing more urgent attention, with more serious consequences, we no longer have the global community acting together to work toward solutions. Republicans have chosen to discard science in favor of corporate economic interests and protecting the wealthy. Further attempts are being made to divide business and labor, and wealth is increasingly being transferred to the wealthy at the expense of the poor, elderly, disabled, and the environment.

That was then. Now is Earth Day 2011

In a strange metaphor, Earth Day this year falls on Good Friday as if we are being reminded that the Earth is being crucified by the collective actions of humanity.

We are reminded, though, Good Friday is followed by Easter, a day set in the Christian Calendar by the cycles of nature, the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox.

There are many signs of hope that it is not too late to change direction to one of greater international cooperation and sustainability.

Some positive Earth Day signs of hope include:

• The Earth Day Network, now has 22,000 partners in 192 countries promoting green education, a green economy, and this year has adopted as its theme, "A Billion Acts of Green".

• The United Nations has now declared April 22nd as International Mother Earth Day and the issues of Rights of the Earth are once again being discussed.

• Tourism, the largest industry in the world, now has a Global Sustainable Tourism Council with a criteria for the tourist industry from around the world to operate more sustainably. This initiative came from a coalition of the United Nations Environment Programme, The U.N. Foundation, the U.N. World Tourism Council, and the Rainforest Alliance.

• Large corporations are working to become more "Green" and providing the public with more "Green Messaging". As an example, the Walt Disney Company deliberately opened the Animal Kingdom in 1998 on Earth Day. From the beginning they brought conservation messages and environmental education to its attractions at the theme park. Each year The Animal Kingdom celebrates Earth Day with many activities for both the young and old at heart. The underlying theme of the park is conservation and preservation, and is based on a quote by Walt Disney, "I have learned from the animal world, and what everyone will learn who studies it is, a renewed sense of kinship with the earth and all its inhabitants." More recently, the Walt Disney Company launched the DisneyNature program, releasing a new film each Earth Day. To date the Earth Day releases have included the films, "Earth" in 2009, "Oceans" in 2010, and "African Big Cats" in 2011. "Penguins" is scheduled for Earth Day 2012 and "Hidden Beauty: A Love Story that Feeds the Earth" is scheduled for release in 2013.

• California Lutheran University, where Dave led the first Earth Day Celebration in 1970 and where Reese currently lectures, will have a week-long celebration of Earth Day. Activities will include: a new online pledge that all faculty, staff, and students are being encouraged to complete, a promotion for using local and organic food, a water conservation display, an acoustic music concert (no electricity), giving reusable water bottles to students, installation of new sustainable water fountains where water bottles can be filled up and the fountains will count and display the number of refills, disposable bottles saved from landfills, and a blessing of bikes, skateboards, and feet for alternative transportation by campus pastors.


While Cal Lutheran continues the Earth Day tradition now beginning this 5th decade of Earth Days since its 1970 program, it is working year round for a sustainable campus. Its current plan calls for a path forward to become climate neutral, improve on its energy, transportation, waste, water systems, implement sustainable procurement plans, improve buildings and landscaping, and enhance the environmental curriculum of the college.

Cal Lutheran seems to be on a path where Earth Day is every day, a path we encourage the global community to join.

It was the collaboration of Republicans and Democrats, business and labor, farmers, and city dwellers, and education from colleges and universities that helped translate the first Earth Day into meaningful public policy.

This cooperative problem solving approach is needed again to face the challenges of the planetary boundaries so all humanity can live more sustainably and respect nature.


Dr. David Randle is President & CEO of the WHALE Center. Dr. Reese Halter is an Earth Doctor; Science Communicator: Voice for Ecology, conservation biologist at Cal Lu University and public speaker. Contact through www.DrReese.com

Dave's 88-year-old father has been involved in the space program most of his career. We have always been interested and supportive of the space program and the benefits that it has brought to all humankind. When Dave served as John Denver's environmental and political advisor, support for the space program was one of his top six priorities.

Recently, at the Kennedy Space Center, Dave picked up an Apollo 13 hat for his dad. It had the wording, "Failure is not an Option". The hat seemed fitting as his dad had been told a couple years ago that he had only three days to live. He didn't accept the prognosis and sought other treatment. For him failure was not an option so the hat seemed quite fitting for him to wear in the event he has to go to the hospital again.

Recently we heard a podcast where the NASA Space program was used as a metaphor for how we might better respond to critical environmental issues of our time.

This naturally caught our attention.

The story begins with the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. This was the mission where Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon. The landing for this mission was tense and uncertain but they made it. The famous words were spoken by Neil Armstrong: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

The Apollo 12 mission then followed with a second successful mission to the moon.

The astronauts were able to land much easier this time, spend more time on the moon, and gained more knowledge, skills, and furthered the NASA Apollo project.

Apollo 13 began its journey to the moon with the goal of further gains. Once again the launch was successful. Before the crew could land on the moon an explosion crippled the service module. The famous words were then relayed, "Houston, we have a problem".

At first there was disbelief in Houston; the thinking was that some technical glitch was probably just giving false information. 15 full minutes past before Mission Control in Houston realized this was now a critical life and death crisis.

At that point the Apollo 13 mission was abandoned and the new mission was survival. The astronauts had to shift their priorities to the all out task of making the space craft life sustaining until they could return to Earth. This meant they needed to conserve water, get the carbon dioxide out of the air they were breathing, conserve the energy from the batteries, conserve the air needed for the last hours of the journey, learn how to adapt to uncomfortable temperature changes, conserve the limited potable water, and find ways to use the resources of the lunar module not for exploration but as a lifeboat for their survival.

Despite the great challenge and uncertainty of the return voyage, failure to both Mission Control and the astronauts was not an option.

With Mission Control putting all their focus on a new mission, and the courage and support for each other among the astronauts, all were brought home safely to what NASA called a "successful failure".

Our state of planet Earth continues to become more perilous as we are fast approaching and in some cases have already surpassed the planetary boundaries for sustainability.

Today, we are threatened with many challenges that science has labeled our planetary boundaries. In an article in Nature, Johan Rocstrom and his co-authors argue that to avoid catastrophic environmental change, humanity must stay within defined planetary boundaries. If one boundary is transgressed, then safe levels for other processes could also be under serious risk. The planetary boundaries include: climate change, ocean acidification, atmospheric aerosol loading, chemical pollution, land system changes, ozone depletion, overload of phosphorus and nitrates, and decreasing fresh water resources.

Just as the Apollo 13 mission aborted its original goals and its passengers focused on their own survival boundaries, crew aboard Spaceship Earth are being called to change their mission in order to live within our planetary boundaries. There is a need to abort the mission of business as usual to a new mission of creating a sustainable planet that functions within the limits of the planetary boundaries.

Like the astronauts aboard Apollo 13 this will mean using our resources more creatively, making sure our air is clean without to much ozone or carbon emissions, that there is potable drinking water for all, that chemicals don't contaminate the space ships water and food supply, and all passengers are able to be able to have the basic survival needs to complete the journey.

Like the 15 minute pause in Houston where there was disbelief that the Apollo space craft was in trouble despite the warning signs, there has been the same kind of disbelief among many that Spaceship Earth is in trouble.

The question now is: Will enough people on Spaceship Earth realize that we have already exceeded some of the planetary boundaries and are dangerously close to exceeding others? Like the Apollo astronauts we need to change our mission.

There are some important lessons that we can learn from the Apollo 13 experience including:

The importance of creating a shared vision among the crew members of Spaceship Earth. In the Apollo 13 story, Mission Control set a new mission that failure was not an option and Apollo Commander James Lovell let the other crew members know "I intend to go home". This new shared vision created a context for better solving the problems. Creating a shared vision for a sustainable planet where people live within the planetary boundaries may be half the battle.

Creating a sense of community around the vision is also important for success. We learn from the Apollo 13 story that conflict over the best approaches to take was greatly reduced once everyone agreed to work toward the same vision. The team focused on innovation and creativity to jointly solve the problems as opposed to focusing on different approaches. Commander Lovell observed that: "Thousands of people worked to bring us back home." The more individuals and groups we can get to work on a shared vision the stronger sense of a global community will form to achieve the goals.

Developing a positive culture for change helps achieve success. Gene Kranz, Flight Director of Apollo 13, said to his co-workers: "work the problem", meaning do the research to find the solutions. In solving the Apollo 13 challenges, the team put priority on the need for technical proficiency and getting the facts. When the explosion happened, one of the first questions was, "what do we have on the space craft that is good?" The team also made sure that everyone was getting the information they needed. Kranz created a positive culture for solving the problems.

Scientists from around the world have sounded the alarm. Many in government, higher education, NGO's, and business sectors have started to respond. Some encouraging examples include:

In government, the United Nations Environment Programme is in the process of completing it's 5th Global Outlook Report (GEO-5), a process that engages scientists from around the world to detail the needs of the planet and set an agenda for what needs to be done. The warnings of the last report, GEO-4, have been largely ignored.

The U.N. Academic Impact, a global initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in support of sustainability, human rights, literacy, and conflict resolution now has over 500 participating institutions. Each of the participating institutions makes a commitment to at least one project each year based on the program's principles.

NGO's such as the International Union of Conservation and Nature, have brought together over 1000 NGO's and 11,000 scientists to work on issues such as biodiversity, climate change, sustainable energy, human well-being, and a green economy.

Corporations are becoming more sustainable in their practices. In the recent Newsweek Green Rankings of the 500 Largest U.S. Corporations, 51 had environmental performance rankings above 90 on a scale of 0 to 100. Of the Global 100 Corporations, ten percent also scored 90 or higher as well. One of the companies that was both a national and global leader in the rankings is the Walt Disney Co. The Walt Disney Co. was ranked #11 in environmental performance, #2 nationally in environmental performance in its category of Media, Travel, and Leisure, and #1 in this category globally. One of the unique things about the Walt Disney Co. is that it has proactively set ambitious goals related to each of the 9 planetary boundaries. It is fast becoming model for others to follow. For example it has set goals of reducing its carbon emissions by 50% by 2012 from 2006 levels and then becoming a net-zero carbon company thereafter. It has also set a goal to reduce its solid waste 50% by 2013 and becoming a net zero waste company thereafter.


To bring back the Apollo 13 crew safely, it took the cooperation of mission control, the astronauts, and many supporting scientists and other experts to use the ship's resources wisely.

Imagine if there was a coordinated effort of uncompromising integrity between governments, institutions of higher education, NGO's, and corporations. Imagine if they all worked together with a shared vision to have Spaceship Earth return to operation within safe planetary boundaries.

The simple truth is that like the Apollo 13 team, it will take bold leadership willing to acknowledge that we have serious problems on planet Earth, are willing to work to create a shared vision, sense of community, a positive culture that is committed to success, and that they really get it, that failure is not an option.

Dr. David Randle is President & CEO of the Whale Center. Dr. Reese Halter is an Earth Doctor; Science Communicator: Voice for Ecology, conservation biologist at Cal Lu University and public speaker.

Related Links:

WHALE Center

Waves of Change

Global Healing

Blue Community

Dr. Reese Halter

Carl Jung said:  “The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results”  

Jung noted the change in the themes of dreams and protests leading up to the World Wars with Germany in his book Civilization in transition.  He theorized that global conflicts are often based on psychological crisis originating in the collective consciousness of individuals

As the video below shows, the first month of 2011 has begun with many conflicts around the globe.  All of these protests seem to share common themes.  They are all voices against corruption, a cries for economic justice, and a calls for stronger human rights.

The examples include:

Albania - protests over government corruption
Algeria - protests by massive unemployed teenagers
Argentina - protests against low wages and job layoffs
Australia - protests for stronger human rights
Bangladesh - protests against unsafe working conditions and poor wages
Belgium - protests against government failures
Canada - protests against human rights abuses in Pakistan
Chile - protests against rising gas prices and deteriorating economic conditions
Cuba - protests against terrorism and human rights abuses.
Cyprus - protests against wage cuts and economic policies.
Egypt - protests against government corruption, and economic policies
Greece - protests against economic policies
Honduras - protests against government corruption and human rights
India - protests demanding jobs promised for land but not delivered
Ireland - protests against economic policies
Israel - protests in over government policy
Italy - protests on economic policies by workers
Jordan - protests on economic policy
Tunisia - protests against unemployment and government corruption
Turkey - protests against conservative Islamic Government, and human rights
United Kingdom - protest against education cuts and economic policy
United States - protests on human rights re: Tibet & Koch Brothers corrupting democracy
Venezuela - protests re: economic policy
Yemen - protests against government corruption

At the core of these protests seems to be a battle of two different world views that parallel Albert Schweitzer's two religious world views.

Albert Schweitzer, the great humanitarian, and nobel peace prize winner,  observed that religion is no longer a force for spiritual life in our age.  He explained that while religion can still point to good works, it gave up its spiritual force once it sanctioned wars.  Schweitzer said religion “lifts up its voice in protest but it can not command.  The spirit of the age does not listen.”

Schweitzer though observed that in his time civilization had begun to change.  He described two different currents in religion, one that is dogmatic the other free from dogma.

Dogmatic religion is based on creeds, true beliefs, and controlling behavior.  It has no relationship to thinking.  Religion free of dogma is rationalistic, ethical and seeks to remain on good terms with thinking.   The dogmatic free religion for Schweitzer was one that he said shared the vision of Jesus. The non-dogmatic religion shared something universal of the heart which can be adopted for any age, that worked for the bringing of the kingdom of peace and justice to all.

Perhaps our world today like in Jung's tme, is a civilization in transition attempting to shed the outdated dogmatic religions, political systems, and oppressive economic systems.  A civilizaton where people's inner psyches are being transformed to collective birth a new civilization described in the vision of Global Healing.  

Global Healing understands that there can be no peace without justice no matter how strong a military and economic system is in place.  Global Healing understands that there can be no justice without sustainability no matter how well intentioned a government or people might be in their collecive thoughts.   Finally, Global Healing understands that basic human rights must take precendence over all all creeds or relgious belief systems if we are to be a true global community.

Schweitzer was adamant that a dogma free religion not be tied to any creed or tradition.  For Schweitzer his ethic of reverence for life was enough.   In the same way Global Healing is a movement that is dogma free with an ethic of "one planet, one people" that might unite a global community in transition.

So as we watch the global protests around the world, lets reflect on the words of Carl Jung: “our vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”

Look inside and perhaps what is going on with global protests will give you a clearer vision for a civilizaton in transition to Global Healing.

For more info on Global Healing

 

Today it was the shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

A few days ago it was the new death panels that resulted in death of patients need transplants.

Then before that there was the draconian immigration laws that were ruled unconstitutional.

Of course we have all heard of the Arizona Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, known for his cruel and unusual punishment of prisoners.  This Sheriff is under Grand Jury and FBI investigation for abuse of power.

I guess knowing what we all know now about Arizona we should not be that surprised that it was Senator from Arizona who picked someone like Sara Palin to be his running mate. 

Sara Palin some of you may remember put a target on a map over Gabby Giffords District in this last election.

The Sheriff in Pima County, where the shooting took place, describes AZ as a right wing state "the tombstone of the United States"  with almost no control on guns and in fact he said the State Legislature now wants students and teachers to be allowed to take guns to school.  He added that AZ won't even ban texting while driving.

As strange as it is that all these weird things are happening in Airzona, the truth is that any of these kind of things can and will happen anywhere in our nation where good people stop caring and sharing their concerns for a better world. 

Arizona may be the worst example but lets make sure other states don't go in that direction.

Lets let Arizona be our wake up call and stop this sort of political madness.

Lets also direct our thoughts and/or prayers to be with Congressperson Giffords and the others who were killed or wounded and the families of all who were impacted.

Our nation can and must do better.
 
 ---------------------------------
 
 
Statement of Common Cause President Bob Edgar on Arizona shooting
 
Like most Americans, I am shocked and horrified at the mass shooting that occurred today in Arizona at a constituent meeting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
 
The prayers of the entire Common Cause family are with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her family, her staff and their families, and all the victims and families affected by this deranged shooting.
 
It is a sad day for America, and for our democracy that shines bright as a beacon of hope for so many other countries. While we do not yet know the motive of the shooter, this is a time for all our elected officials, political leaders and others in public life to vigorously denounce what has become a more common practice of using language laced with violent innuendos and metaphor when discussing opposition in politics. Today is clear and unequivocal evidence that this practice must cease immediately.
 
Peace,

 
Bob  Edgar
President of Common Cause
www.CommonCause.org


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A reporter called me a little while ago, and told me that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been shot at a public event. She is in critical condition.

I'm going to let others comment on what this means for America. I just want to say what it means to me.

Gabrielle Giffords and I served together on the House Committee on Science and Technology. She was the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and I was a member of that subcommittee. Her D.C. office was one floor above mine.

I saw Gabby dozens, if not hundreds of times, during our two years together. And nearly every time that I can remember, she was smiling.

Gabby is one of the most cheerful, charming and engaging people I have ever known. She's always looking on the bright side. She has something good to say about pretty much everyone. Bad news never lays a glove on her. She loves life, and all the people in it.

No matter what is going on in your life, after fifteen minutes with Gabby, you'll feel that you can touch the stars.

Everyone knew that Gabby would have a tough race in 2010. (She actually won with 49% of the vote.) But I always thought that if each of her constituents could spend that fifteen minutes with her, and see what she is really like, then she would win with 99.9% of the vote. (Same thing about Harry Teague of New Mexico, who lost, and a few others that I could name.) You would want her as your Congressman, because you would want her as your friend.

I know nothing about the man who shot Gabby, and what was going through his mind when he did this. But I will tell you this - if he shot Gabby out of hatred, then it wasn't Gabby he was shooting, but rather some cartoon version of her, drawn by her political opposition. Because there is no way - NO WAY - that anyone who really knows Gabby could hate her or hurt her. She is a kind, gentle soul.

My heart goes out to Mark Kelly, Gabby's husband, and the many, many people who love her. Gabby, we don't want to lose you. Please stay here with us.

Alan Grayson

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WHALE Center

The tragic Gulf of Mexico oil spill reminds us once again of the hazards of a fossil fuel based economy and the need to build more sustainable communities.

The current oil spill has brought on environmental, economic, and health challenges that could have been prevented if the U.S. had been willing to make the shift to sustainability years ago.

What we are faced with now includes:

• degradation of large amounts of wetlands, mutation, deformity, death of fish and wildlife, and destruction of many fragile ecosystems.
• potential catastrophic economic losses to the fishing and tourism industry.  The damages to the fishing industry alone could amount to tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.  Tourism on the Gulf Coast is a multi-billion dollar industry with hundreds of thousands of employees whose jobs may be at stake.
• potential economic damages to Gulf Coast ports that transfer over a million tons of trade cargo per year.
• health risks to humans from the toxic effects of oil that according to Physicians for Social Responsibility include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irritation of the eyes, and difficulty breathing. (see http://www.psr.org/environment-and-health/confronting-toxics/blog/a-toxic-brew-in-the-gulf-of-mexico.html)
• potential long term effects to the food supply where the contaminates from the oil can cause elevated cancer risks for decades.  Louisiana says that there are over 400 species of oysters, shrimp, and fish that depend on the area the oil spill is impacting.
• risks from chemical dispersants that are poisons used from the belief that they can’t be worse than the oil itself.  The ingredients of these dispersants are claimed as “proprietary information” by Nalco the Company that makes Corexit the main dispersant being used in the Gulf of Mexico.  The impact of these dispersants on fish and shellfish and the ocean ecosystems are largely unknown.

As catastrophic as the Gulf oil spill is, it may be in a larger perspective just a small glimpse into the future of what may be coming if the U.S. does not address its oil addiction and the pressing issues of climate change and ocean acidification.

The U.S. has wasted the past decade when its international leadership was needed to address the global challenge of moving the world toward sustainability.

Senate Bill  1733, the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act proposed by Sen. John Kerry and Sen. Joe Liberman is at best is a small and weak start.  While the bill has many good features it is not near enough to get the U.S. economy off its dependence on foreign oil and reduce carbon emissions to meaningful levels to address climate change and ocean acidification threats.

A few years ago the World Business Academy publication “Freedom From Mid-East Oil”  outlined a blue print for a more sustainable energy policy to (see: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/energy-and-environment) 

In the plan the World Business Academy noted what needs to be done including: 

• increase the CAFE Standards to a minimum of 40 MPG
• accelerate the use of plug in electric and plug in hybrid vehicles to a million per year along with 100,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
• increasing our electricity production from renewables to at least 20%  of total.
• improve energy efficiency as the cheapest source of energy.
• raise the price of carbon so there are meaningful incentives to make the transition off oil to renewable technologies more quickly.

These simple strategies would eliminate the need for new nuclear power plants and off shore drilling for oil while creating thousands of new jobs, reduce the balance of trade deficit, and reduce the national debt.  

It has been argued that while the World Business Academy makes both economic and environmental sense, that our U.S. Senate has to follow a mediocre plan due to their ties to big oil.

Leadership on behalf of humanity and other living creatures is needed now.   Planet Earth can not wait for the U.S. Senate to be ready to respond to a crisis. 

The Obama administration along with leadership in State and Local governments is going to have to take initiatives with or without the U.S. Senate support.

Fortunately there are many excellent blue prints for how State and Local governments can act independent of the U.S. Government.  Both Green and Blue Community initiatives provide an abundance of strategies that state and local governments can act upon. (see two examples at: http://greencities.com and http://www.wavesofchange.org/topics/view/17903)

At the same time, the Obama administration can use the regulatory power of the EPA to address climate change and can push for regulatory reform to hold both oil and chemical companies more accountable for incidents like the Gulf oil spill.

It is time for real political leadership to take a stand on behalf of both present and future generations.  It is time that political leadership be willing to take stands such as Senator Bill Nelson has done against off shore drilling.  It is time that political leadership put first the health safety and environment over that of short term corporate profits especially with the consequences of climate change, ocean acidification, and other challenges before us.  We can not waste another decade.  There really is no other choice.  The time to create more sustainable communities is now.