Taking Action on Tar Sands, Keystone Pipeline, Climate Change

Bill McKibben is an environmental writer of considerable scientific base, eloquence and recognition.  I first became aware of him when I read The End of Nature (1989).  In this book, which is viewed by some as the first on climate change, he talks about how Nature had operated independent of the Human since the beginning of time.  However, we were entering an age when Nature would be increasingly effected by the Human.

The End of Nature was published 22 years ago and he was right.  Bill McKibben has continued to write prolifically ever since.  Most recently, he with countless others have been turning up the heat on their own actions toward raising awareness and seeking change on climate change. 

In the coming days, you may be noting events in Washington, DC, which are called a "watershed moment for Obama". The focus is on the Keystone Pipeline and the Tar Sands in Canada.  The Tar Sands will extract Oil from deposits of sand and the Keystone Pipeline will bring the dirty Oil through Canada, Midwest and to Texas.  The Keystone Pipeline needs Obama's signature. 

These projects represent a trail of devastation which is almost beyond comprehension.  Not only does it impact and change forever Indigenous Lands, but the massive scale of this initiative and its inefficiency will raise the temperature of the Planet 2 degrees when complete.  Such madness bent on destruction must stop.

I have to say that I am no stranger to taking a stand on issues that matter to me after my thoughtful review.  But I have been reluctant on some matters.  That time has passed.  We are running out of time on these issues.  In fact, we may be out of time on these issues. It is time for a redirection and it needs to happen now.  Corporate voices with vested interests on these issues have controlled our information, thinking and our actions for too long.  This needs to change.  Let it be our time to stand up on these issues.  The little Ones who are not born yet will be glad that we did.

It is indeed an exciting time to be alive. We are taking back and cherishing the gifts of Life and the Precious Planet upon which Life as we know it depends.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-watershed-moment-for-obama-on-climate-change/2011/08/16/gIQAGX3zJJ_story.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews&fb_source=profile_oneline

http://act.350.org/sign/tar-sands/