THE COSMIC CHRIST & CLIMATE CHANGE (for doubting Thomas’s)
“We are the ones we have been waiting for”
~ Hopi Saying ~
“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all… living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.”
Thomas Merton (from his final address)
Source; Vostok ice core data/J.R. Petit et al.; NOAA Mauna Loa CO2 record.
These days we do not have a very good relationship with creation, do we?
~ Pope Francis ~
The Cosmic Christ
~ Painting by Sr. Nancy Earl, Center for Action and Contemplation ~
~ Peace ~
through the luminary lens 
You know, Bruce, even with our four-year drought here in California and tons of evidence that changes in global weather patterns have so dramatically altered air currents that the rain isn’t coming far enough south to do us any good, arguments go back and forth about so many related topics, but there is no majority voice addressing overall climate change. At least the topics don’t include making any substantial changes that would require even small sacrifices to benefit the health of the planet. It’s simply impossible for me to understand how we can just continue as though resources are infinite or TIME is infinite. It gets very burdensome to listen to what I have just decided is nonsense. But we do what we can and I know I try to learn more all the time so that I can continue to make better choices. I enjoy it when you tie-in Merton. This post disturbs and encourages me both…hope that makes sense!
I hear ya Debra…you do make sense. Merton was ahead of his time, wasn’t he?
In Canada I just heard on the news that Ontario and Quebec’s premiers signed a Cap and Trade deal. That’s 60% of Canada’s population. B.C. already has a carbon fee and dividend system, which James Hanson prefers. China and US signed some sort of climate deal fairly recently too.
I go back and forth, like you – some days I feel encouraged about things, but to be honest, I mostly feel discouraged that we are not doing enough collectively. As you say – we do what we can do as individuals. The Dalai Lama once said “If you think that small things don’t make a difference, think of a mosquito.” That can put a smile on our faces 🙂
How many people are aware that their house (our planet) is on fire but pretend there’s plenty of time, deny there is a fire, or think that someone (else) will put the fire out? What percentage of the population does it take to effect systemic change? There’s only so much we can do as individuals, but once we reach a critical mass, things can really take of. Today, I read an article on the drought that Brazil is experiencing and that it may last for decades (!) to come. A drought due to massive deforestation (after all, the rainforest was so big and money needed to be made growing soybeans and raising cattle) and climate change….The beautiful mighty rainforest, the lungs of our planet, has been decimated on an unimaginable scale. What else are we going to tolerate before we simply refuse business as usual?
Yes Annette – and we in the wealthy world do so love our sirloin steaks and hamburgers cooked on gas barbecues!
What you speak of about critical mass reminds me of the 100th monkey story. It is sad to think of the possibility that only when so many of us, and the planet itself, is suffering terribly that only then we would wake up… too late.
Our societies should have got serious about the limitations and dangers of fossil fuels during the first energy shortages of the 70’s. Instead during the 80’s our big business shifted manufacturing to poorer countries like Brazil and China, and then so many people became smug as these countries raze their forests or spew out greenhouses gases, like we in Europe, U.S., Canada etc. had done for tens of decades previously.
As I said to other bloggers, it’s time for divestment from the oil and gas industry. Our local Credit Union manager looked at me blankly when I said I’d rather buy more solar electric panels and build a solar greenhouse than invest in mutual funds. Sorry to rant a bit Annettte. That doesn’t really help, does it? But I know that you as a retired therapist can handle it 🙂
Let’s continue to help people realize how practical, sustainable and rewarding it is to live in a solar home and grow fresh vegetables. Although it is not possible for everyone, most people can practice other positive actions to walk more gently and lessen the global footprint.
I could join right in with you, Bruce, but it only becomes more depressing. I know we can only do what we can do in our own lives – but sometimes it feels that this very stance is being in denial. Because what we really need is BIG change and we need it now. No one really knows how much time we’ve got left to change course…if it is even still possible.
And then there are those who manipulate even the weather for profit and control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPsjDjsgqRs
Bruce, this is a good analogy. The sad part is most people even they are believers, it’s the price we pay as progress. Recently we have an oil spill in Vancouver. All I can think of are the marine animals especially the whales that are returning recently. Blessings. Perpetua.
Divestment from big oil is the way forward. Unfortunately in this world, money talks. Lets challenge the powers that be and boycott any further investments in oil development. Increasing development in Tar Sands and gas pipelines only delays the sane investment in renewables. They have less impact on the planet and will help in our healing. Thanks for your concern Perpetua.
Thank you Bruce. I do boycott them ever since I gave the car for 15 years now and joined David Suzuki. I know Alberta is suffering due to less work in the oil industry but for the God’s sake, it has to stop. Perpetua.
“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all… living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.”
Thomas Merton (from his final address)
~ Humankind has yet to grasp the significance of our interdependence. Like the human body, Earth is a living organism of interconnected organs and parts. In the grand scheme of the vast Universe, humans are like ants on an anthill.
Yes. Us humans tend to even to forget the importance of ants. Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki once explained that if the lowly ant was to disappear from the earth all our ecosystems would collapse. Not so with us prideful humans. The way it is going, we’re sure making a mess of things compared to the ants. I love your anology of the earth to the human body Rosaliene. And like ants, we are so small within the universe. Maybe, just maybe, we can begin to take responsibility and begin to act as a member of the team. Thanks for inspiring me to post about climate change by your own posts. It probably isn’t most peoples favorite thing to be aware of.
Thanks for joining me in spreading awareness about climate change. The graph says it all.
“It probably isn’t most peoples favorite thing to be aware of.”
~ To our own detriment. I blame America’s national media – supporting the fossil fuel industries – for not covering civilization’s greatest threat. The UK Guardian Media Group has now joined the fight against climate change and is divesting from fossil fuels.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/01/guardian-media-group-to-divest-its-800m-fund-from-fossil-fuels
I’ll check that link about divestment of fossil fuels. I’ve been thinking about challenging my local Credit Union to divest, and I need to get more serious about this and talk to other members. The divestment movement worked with ending apartheid and it can work to end the earth’s domination by big oil. Thanks your good work Rosaliene.
Thoughtful connection, Thomas and the ‘hoaxers’. I don’t suppose you have a photo of an ostrich with its head in the sand? (Of course, they don’t really do that; they simply lay their heads on the ground.)
Especially appropriate today, with Thomas meeting the Christ on the road as the gospel reading after Easter Sunday. Although I haven’t been to a Catholic mass in years, It was still in the back of my mind – I checked about it to be sure. 🙂
All I can say to the hoaxers, is see… look at the scientific evidence… and look at the wounded earth around you. Doubt no more!
Put your hands into the wounds of the earth….touch the earth’s wounds….very appropriate! And it’s not Thomas that meets Jesus on the road to Emmaus. That’s two others. Thomas meets up with Jesus in the upper room of the house where Jesus showed on Easter, only 8 days later. (I used to be quizzed by my father after dinner on my Bible knowledge. If I got an answer right, he’d give me a piece of the cheese he often enjoyed while finishing the rest of the wine. That, being a Sunday school teacher and being in college campus ministry has cemented these stories in my memory….permanently, I think.)
Guess I skimmed the gospel when i reread it the other day 🙂