http://blog.algore.com/2010/08/the_movement_we_need.html In a post on his blog yesterday, Al Gore called for climate protests in America in response to the betrayal by our Congress in doing its moral duty to address the climate crisis. This is no small news, (though it will be treated as such in our media) this is a clarion call to begin a social movement to reclaim our soul as a nation and our moral conscience as a species make no mistake about that. Yet already the naysayers are attacking his words saying it is impossible, insane, and won't happen, especially in a bad recession. Funny how these same people don't seem to be complaining about unnecessary wars on two fronts causing trillions in deficits during a bad recession. But I digress. But allow me to answer their claims. Firstly, this will be an arduous task. That is a given especially here in America where on the whole people do not yet equate climate justice with jobs. We need to change that. People in America on the whole also do not yet equate something happening across the world with the potential to affect their lives. We need to explain that it indeed does and show them how it is affecting them now. People due to the already overabundance of partisan political spin also think this is solely a political issue. We definitely need to debunk that. In other words, this movement must not only be about protest, but accountability, education, enlightenment, moral conscience and solutions. Though as arduous a task as that may be it is definitely not impossible. It is no more impossible than the Civil Rights Movement or the Women's Suffrage Movement which dealt with many more obstacles regarding apparatus and getting the word out. In this technological age there should be little problem in organizing such a sustained movement. All we need is the will to do it, and we must. Secondly, I truly do question those who would call standing up for our only home insane. I personally believe it is insanity to continue to plunder and destroy the biodiversity of this planet. And that is exactly what we are doing. Our species, our oceans, plantlife, crops, all suffering from the overabundance of pollutants and toxins in our water and atmosphere and the effects of a warming world. Crops worldwide ruined by floods, droughts, and wildlfires which bring soil degradation, erosion to beaches causing sea level rise, and hunger from lack of food as well as a decline in potable water sources. Glaciers worldwide melting at a rapacious pace due to warming temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, burning of carbon sinks, wasteful land management practices, black carbon(soot)and political impasse. The cost of such catastrophes if we remain on the road we are on will far exceed any such accountability placed on those causing this devastation. And the cost will not only be monetary, but it has been and will be in lives and in the quality of life. Therefore, standing up for our planet to reverse these destructive behaviors is the least insane thing we could do now as a species as we see our world hurtling towards the abyss. And lastly, it won't happen. This sounds more like wishful thinking for some than an actual fact to me, because even though there are many who fall in the above categories there are also millions in this country who do see the threat this crisis places on our ability to sustain our species in years to come. Only, they have been silent, or silenced. Silenced by big oil and coal lobbies. Silenced by a complicit media pumping out talking points and misinformation 24/7 in a desperate attempt to stay awash in profits. Silenced by a political system stained by oil and fear of change. And that is exactly why a nationwide climate justice movement is so desperately needed now. Strength in numbers, in purpose, in focus. I have lived my life from the time I was a very young girl of 12 always cognizant of my actions and how they would affect the present and the future. Always cognizant of the world I wanted my child to live in. A world of peace, prosperity, equality, and with an environment that reflected the true beauty and balance of humans. I'm not about to give up on that now. So I applaud Mr. Gore's throwing down the gauntlet and hope to see it and will participate in it. Because as arduous a task as it may be fraught with intimidation and even fears, there are some things more important than fear and this is one of them. Looking into the future taking into account the present world we live in and the world we will make if we do this as opposed to not doing it, there is no choice. And contrary to what some are saying, it wouldn't be a movement to call just for a carbon tax. This is about having a social movement that defines what we are as a species. This is about working to preserve this planet for future generations because as it stands now we are failing miserably on that score. This is about calling on politicians of all parties to do what is morally right. This is about us standing up with our collective conscience to a threat to our survival. This is about seeing the big picture. I have no illusions regarding the road ahead. However, it is a moment in history that will be shaped by what we choose to do and the future will judge us on it. I choose to stand on the side of truth and on the side of moral conscience. We cannot desert our Earth now for to do so would be a grave offense as well to those we love. This isn't just about carbon taxes or dividends; or solar panels; or green jobs; this is about who you see when you look in the mirror, and who looks up to you. Thank you Mr. Gore. I surely hope we are up to this generational challenge. added by: JanforGore
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