Seeds for Thought: an Ecopsychology Blog

Oscars

Sunday was an important day for us Americans, and this year the Oscars seemed better than ever at reflecting the international nature of the film industry and honoring the contributions made by artists all over the world. But of particular interest and excitement to us all as environmentalists were the awards given to Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth, and to Melissa Etheridge for its theme song.

I was encouraged by Gore's acceptance speech, which was brief and cautiously optimistic. He reinforced an earlier statement he'd made that "climate change is not a political issue, it's a moral issue" and went on to say that we have everything we need to change this situation except maybe the will, and ended with “the will to act is a renewable resource!”

I did feel that this year's Oscars seemed to herald a new day, in a number of ways. A friend watching the ceremonies with us said she thought things had begun to shift in America with the premier of this film. At this we all stopped a moment to think back, in amazement realizing it has only been out for 8 months and things have indeed changed. Public reaction to this film has effectively challenged Bush's ignorance and denial of global warming and started a popular groundswell of opinion in favor of making a widespread change in our policies and lifestyles.

Here's a cheer for the power of art & a prayer for the restoration of our collective will & commitment for the common good!

arms trading

Tony Blair wants to know how to get guns off the street.

So how did they get there? I don't think these boys are making them in their metalwork classes.

I have visions of exhausted cleaners picking them slowly one by one out of the gutters, while they continue to pour off the production lines by the thousand, Where does he think they go?

Perhaps giving Britain's largest arms manufacturer BAE immunity from investigation on corruption charges on the grounds that it would be bad for national security was not setting a terribly good example.

A Ribbon of Hope

Here's another very cool internet phenomenon I just heard about - the Planetfesto Ribbon. This is a global appeal for people to go to this site and build a ribbon that can go all the way around the world with our love for the earth and promises to protect her. It's easy to do... you go online and either post a photograph of your own, or choose from some wonderful ones there to make up your six inches of the ribbon the founders hope will reach round the world before too long. Everyone writes something on their piece of the whole - about what you love about the planet and what you're willing to do to protect her.

It's wonderful fun to look at what other people have written and the images they've posted, and it just feels good. Go on, try it!

web spiralling

A few recent sites I have found/joined/been told about:

Chris Johnstone's Great Turning Times Lots of news and events and info particularly for the UK, you can check the site or subscribe to the E newsletter

My.EcoEarth.Info - Grassroots Global Earth Activism A new site from Glen Barry, subscribe and you can set up petitions and generally collaborate with other environmental activists. Also a selection of the days relevant environmental news articles.

Greeningspirit.ca

We have started a new web page at: www.greeningspirit.ca to provide wisdom and resources to the Anglican initiative on Earth stewardship. It will become the public "face" of a network of 50+ "stewards" assigned to bring environmental issues from the margins to the mainstream of church life. One "motto" suggested for the site is "personal, political and prayerful"
- meaning that issues such reducing carbon emissions are something that must be approached from the personal level such as making a pledge to reduce CO2 emission in a household by a set amount, "political" with a committment to work with others in organized ways and "prayerful" in reflecting on WHY we care for the beauty and bounty of creation.