Jun
05
2008
Why does caring for the environment have to be so painful?
My last post talked about filthy, disease-spreading rats.
But I know another filthy, disease-spreading species.
A species far more dangerous than the humble rat because it knows it’s doing wrong, but just doesn’t care.
Last Saturday, Ania and I took a train to the historic city of York. Under a glorious blue sky, we ambled through Museum Gardens where squirrels scampered amongst picnickers, then by the gothic, 800-year-old Minster. Sipping freshly-made lemonade, we meandered around The Shambles, awed by the 16th century buildings nestling in the maze of narrow, cobbled streets.
Later, we strolled along the city’s fortified wall. Its lush green ramparts were speckled white and gold with daisies and buttercups. We took a break halfway around to admire the view. Dangling our legs over the side of the wall, we tucked into a picnic while basking in the serenity of a sleepy suburb shaded by towering oaks and vibrant with birdsong…
Ahhhh, heaven!
Or was it? What’s wrong with this picture?
Continue Reading »
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May
29
2008
There are pros and cons with everything so surely extinction has an upside!
Most of us hope for happiness, success, companionship, health… We welcome improvement to our lot and avoid anything that threatens our dreams. Of course, it’s great to get what we want when we want it, but shouldn’t we question the cost more often than we do?
Whether it’s made from precious metals, has designer labels, or is as mundane as the gossip-filled magazine, most of what we ‘can’t live without’ is just utter crap without which our lives would be equally fulfilled.
And to make all this crap we destroy the world.
Whether it’s deforesting the Amazon in Brazil to graze cows for burgers or flooding ancient valleys in China for hydroelectric power, we don’t just exploit the world but beat the living crap out of it till it gives us what we want. (Note, that’s what we ‘want’, not what we ‘need’!)
Let’s face it, if the earth was a child it would’ve been taken into care decades ago.
Continue Reading »
May
01
2008
Christmas? Everyday!
[Costingtons department store boardroom; execs sitting around a table.]
CEO: Okay, people, we need to cook up a new holiday for the summer. Something with gifts, cards, assorted gougeables.
Exec #1: How about something religious? We had great penetration last spring with Christmas Two.
Exec #2: Oh, I know. Spendover, like Passover - less talk, more presents.
[Everyone starts talking at once]
CEO: No, no, no! No, it’s gotta be warm and fuzzy. Something like, um, “Love Day”, but not so lame.
[Days later. The Simpsons’ living-room. Marge enters.]
Marge: Happy Love Day, everyone!
Lisa: Come on, Mom, the stores just invented this holiday to make money.
Homer: Lisa, don’t you ruin another Love Day!
Earth Day - just another Love Day? Continue Reading »
Apr
17
2008
London, Paris, San Francisco… Last week saw demonstrations around the globe against China. Why?
In Tibet, Chinese police might have killed as many as 80 people in clashes with protestors. But then, China isn’t hot on human rights.
Whether it’s children slaving in sweatshops or free-thinkers being imprisoned, China rarely shows leniency or charity towards its people.
Travelling to Dengfeng to visit China’s famous Shaolin Monastery, I chatted with a Chinese guy on a train. He whispered that he dared listen to BBC radio’s World Service to learn of world events beyond the Chinese government’s censorship, however, he refused to comment further for fear someone might report him.
But it isn’t only the Chinese who fear China.
China has been a nuclear power since 1964. And, post-Cold War, everyone acknowledges China is the biggest rival to America’s supremacy.
But what can be done about this threat, about these human rights abuses?
Isn’t it obvious? Continue Reading »
