We’ve made it past the Mayan Apocalypse and are poised enter 2013, a brand spankin’ new year. ‘Tis the season for reviewing 2012. Here’s my personal, and entirely random, “best of 2012” list:
Best NonFiction:
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Goodness knows we need inspiration and encouragement in these times, and Andrew Harvey gives the reader just that. Thanks to my good friend and sister on the journey, Donna C, for giving me a copy.
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Best Fiction:
I think I was supposed to read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck in my high school English class, but I don’t remember actually doing so. It was finally time to make up for my the sins of my youth, and read this classic. Of course, Steinbeck’s writing is superb, but what surprised me was how relevant the book’s critique of both our economic and agricultural systems still is in 2012. Although Steinbeck doesn’t use the terms “1%”, “99%”, or “occupy”, if he was around today he would understand them.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYFJmm0aK-8]
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Best Hike-Or-Die Experience:
September, 2012 on the Long Range Traverse, Gros Morne Park, Newfoundland, two days after Hurricane Leslie blew threw:
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Best Canoe Trip:
Woodland Caribou Park, Northwestern Ontario:
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Best Climate Change Event Attended:
The Seattle launch of Bill McKibbon & 350.org’s Do The Math tour:
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Best GOP Moment of 2012 U.S. Election:
Karl Rove’s Meltdown on Fox News on Election Night.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2HC1W2BR-Q]
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Best U.S. Election 2012 Moment:
Barack Obama winning.
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Most fun at a writing festival:
Turtle Island Writing Festival, September 2012
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Most hopeful movement of 2012, which could bring about the Great Shift from disconnection to connection:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AZROlN5WlY]
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See you in 2013!
EVERYTHING NOW IS A MATTER OF SURVIVAL
We have the technologies, we have the resources and we have the brains and hands to create a sustainable future – let the New Year resolution be to do it !
The end of life on earth, as we know it, has been signaled by the rise in Global Warming Gases GWG in the upper atmosphere to 400ppm in parts of the Northern hemisphere, when the safe limit is 350ppm.Every gramme of fossil fuel burnt is a nail in the coffin of life on Earth.
No political rhetoric, economic stimulus, gamble on the markets, investment, mile travelled on land sea and air, degree of comfort in homes or office, pleasure or entertainment – none will mitigate against fatal global warming unless it achieves freedom from dependence on fossil fuels.
No amount of wealth, power or influence not dedicated to stemming the tide of increasingly destructive storms, floods, droughts and rising water levels will save planet earth for future generations to live on in peace and comfort.
We have the technologies to fly into space, set foot on the moon and even live in space, but we are making the planet uninhabitable for future generations. Now is the time to use those technologies to make planet earth permanently inhabitable – to build space ships on earth – to harness the free gift of ambient energy from sun, water, air and ground – to demolish the tombstones of the Fossil Fuel Age.
The wealth of the future is that of the circular economy – where conspicuous consumption does not destroy us, but where all valuable resources are recycled and no toxic by-products are generated. Where waste is eliminated. Where wealth creation from destruction of the environment and depletion of non-renewable resources ce
It’s time those of us fighting for a sustainable future need to stop saying “no” to things and start staying “yes”, and presenting a vision for the future that is better for everyone. Thank you for doing that here, Keith.
A little jealous of your writing festival. It looks like great fun. So enjoy your blog and your passion for doing what is right for our children’s children.