eCo Times In Effect
By Jenn Breckenridge
Filed Under Green Living, The Big Picture |
We are living in a unique time. In the US, little seems more important than the survival of the global ecosystem. Regardless of religious, scientific or philosophical notion, it is hard to deny that everything is united by the endless chain actions and reactions in this web of life. We are now aware that the ripple effect created collectively by humankind can easily span continents, and even hemispheres. The sixth mass extinction, the melting of the ice caps, the very weather of the earth itself-humans have effected. Little us. Our species’ pursuits have brought many parts of the world to near extinction-which is great. It’s spectacular actually. Our massive scope of destruction and terror is absolutely thrilling! I’m excited, truly excited, that our impact is awe-inspiring, and we weren’t even trying to destroy the planet’s wild places with our needs-which means we’ve got a chance. If that’s what humans can accomplish collectively without even meaning to, without focus, without a grand sense of inspiration, than just imagine how much we can do to turn it around when we are really going for it? We have the power to revive, reinvigorate, and restore ecosystems…and the sanctity of humanity’s relationship with them. We can heal this wound, between humans and the earth.
The Industrial Age blindly abused and battered the natural world, then literally buried it in concrete. With the invention of mass production techniques and the development of modern chemistry, the earth underwent a series of harsh alterations. Like Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, humans coveted the power of nature and hence resolved to take a crack at creation. Inventing machines of gargantuan proportions and initiating systems for humans to act like machines, our species was able to perform macrocosmic acts. Empires were amassed, while rainforests, watersheds, and communities of living things suffered inconceivable losses.
The Information Age has now brought us up to speed on the extent of the damage. No matter where you turn, there’s Oprah, MySpace, Treehugger, Mother Jones, Van Jones, National Geographic, BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, Larry David, Leonardo, Robert Redford, Cameron Diaz, Wangari Maathai, and Al Gore all there telling us what’s going on and what we can do about it. Corporations are stepping up. Walmart, the largest private employer in the US (who makes 30% of all foreign purchases in China), has become a corporate leader of the Green Movement. British Petroleum is the largest purchaser of wind turbines on the planet…Even Barney’s and the Indianapolis 500 have gone green.
It is now the Environmental Age…a time to heal. A time to reintegrate humanity with all the other living things. A teeter of revitalization for the totter of industrialization. Now we begin conservation, reforestation, and innovation. Depending on what region of the country you’re in, you can look around and see it happening already. The Priuses, solar panels, reusable water bottles, LEED-certified buildings, recycled paper, the emergence of biodiesel, and the resurgence of farmer’s markets. Whether you volunteer with an organization, participate in local politics, spearhead the greening of your workplace, or drastically reduce the ecological footprint of your own life, you are creating that collective ripple effect which can span continents and even hemispheres. So let’s each choose our missions, get focused, and get moving. This may very well be the most thrilling adventure of our generation. We’re putting the logic back into ecological. Welcome to eCo Times. 
Posted on April 22, 2008 |
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Thank you so much for all the great info!
This is a great Earth Day !
Wonderful article framing our contemporary existence. The consciousness is growing, thank you for the information!