During my many enjoyable years teaching vertebrate zoology at ETSU, I would always end my lecture on the evolution of the vertebrates by saying we had now entered a unique stage in the history of life on Earth – The Age of Man.  I would then go on and point out that we have long been used to referring to various Ages of -- (Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, etc.) but there has never before been a time that only ONE species was the dominant biological force on earth. 

 

The May 28th issue of The Economist, the leading international magazine devoted to world economic news, high-lights this same concept with a major article entitled The Anthropocene and extends the concept of one species dominance to discuss the now well-known fact that we are profoundly affecting the geophysical aspects of the Earth’s ecology as well as the biological aspects.  This international perspective contrasts strongly with the denial mindset we find in USA economic publications such as The Wall Street Journal.  

 

Question of the day:  How can we in Green Interfaith Network contribute to the effort to bring the USA into The Anthropocene?

 

http://www.economist.com/node/18741749

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Comment by H.B. Lee on June 2, 2011 at 2:05pm

 

I'm glad that you are showing this side of the issue to those of us who are not very familiar w/ this topic.  Keep up the good work.  HB

Comment by Jerry W Nagel on June 1, 2011 at 11:28am
Here's a relevant post concerning environmental theology that I just got from CASSE on my Facebook.  http://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/stories/2011/3226427.htm   I haven't listened to the whole program yet but it sounds like a good one.  Check some of the comments below the transcript for some reactions from a hard-core atheist.  Australia seems to be a lively place!
Comment by Jerry W Nagel on May 30, 2011 at 5:39pm

Thanks for your comments, Carol.  Jeffrey Sachs is definately an enjoyable read when it comes to international economics and the reduction of poverty.  He does, however, make the steady-state economy folk a bit nervous with his reliance on continued growth dependent on new technologies rather than "de-growth" in the rich nations and redistribution to the developing nations.   Meanwhile, when you get done with Common Wealth have a look at this site and the report they put out (http://steadystate.org/learn/leeds2010/).  We've got this group listed under our Resources - Stewardship category.  It is undeniably Utopian but somewhat uplifting. 

 

You are definately right about being informed and working locally to inform others.  Right now I am working on a review of some of the position papers by my denomination (Presbyterian Church (USA)) in preparation for some in-house evironmental evangelism.  As you know, I tend to favor emphasis on the theological (scriptural) basis  for earth stewardship rather than science or economics. 

 

Hope we can get some more folks in on this.  How about a little input from some of you pastors out there?  (I am using the term "pastors" in the generic sense, please substitute the appropriate title for your faith group)

Comment by Carol Landis on May 30, 2011 at 4:27pm

I've been listening to Common Wealth, a book by Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. He is internationally known as an economic advisor (to many governments and organizations). He does a nice job of outlining the many ways that the human population is pushing the limits of sustainability. He cites several studies and assessments that pose significant threats to our "business as usual" existence. He's certainly not alone in these predictions.

Having tried for years to help people understand the significance of potential climate change, I'm beginning to think that the economic impacts are the most persuasive arguments for most people. But I don't think the public trusts the economists' forecasts any more than they trust the scientists' perspective. It's a real dilemma! Many people have a hard time focusing on "could and should" for the future when they're working really hard to just get by today.

 

I think one way to approach this "double-whammy" (economic and physical impacts of our global presence) is to concentrate on the inequities across our society and around the world, and to describe the generalized risks that we may face if we continue on our current path. Sandy Westin wrote an article for the United Religions Initiative, titled, "We're All In This Boat Together: Preparing Our Communities for Coming Changes".  In it, she wrote: "At some future date, if you knew for a fact that with increasing intensity and diversity, global climate change had the following direct and indirect impacts on your own community, what choices and actions could have been taken beginning in 2011 on an individual and community basis that might have mitigated its impact or at least prepared us to support one another?"

I do not classify myself as an alarmist, some of whom have been "crying wolf" for a long time. But I sense that the public has developed "alert fatigue". We have avoided some of the big catastrophes that were forecast. Some that have been predicted, however, are like the recent tornadoes in that we know about them, and we have a short window of warning once things are undeniably underway. But we really shouldn't wait until it's "undeniably happening".  To quote a former President, "It's just not prudent."

 

We are living in the midst of the 6th great extinction. Scientists are reluctant to say that specific events are directly linked to climate change, but in the whole, those who are aware of the range of predictions across the Earth's complex systems are seeing more and more evidence of abrupt change. As we continue to delay on major decisions about fossil fuels, it's also becoming more and more apparent that water resources will soon become the "gold standard".

 

One of the best ways to mobilize change in this region and the USA more generally is to become knowledgeable about the scientific research, look for common themes and agreements, and then help to inform others (including our Congressional representatives). Let's take it upon ourselves to be proactive and to demonstrate small changes that each of us can make to have an impact, both locally and on a larger scale!

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