The life and work of Marija Gimbutus, the archeologist who certified that cultures of many centuries before the Biblical era, had been matrilineal and peaceful.
Inanna from pre-Biblical times
The donut theory of economic growth (below)
Got it yet?
For the rest of my life I want to share information about our climate crisis, to hopefully change the roller coaster ride we're on.
And politically I'm not interested in a GOP autocracy.
"Authoritarian figures expect loyalty to themselves alone, rather than to a nonpartisan government. To get that loyalty, they turn to staffers who are loyal because they are not qualified or talented enough to rise to power in a nonpartisan system. They are loyal to their boss because they could not make it in a true meritocracy, and at some level they know that (even if they insist they are disliked for their politics). "
by Heather Cox Richardson
This is why so many people profess loyalty to tRump...he's convinced them his way is the only way they'll have meaning, safety, jobs and a society in their lives.
I only mention this because I believe that all the issues of justice and our future democracy are linked to the issues of a climate crisis. Everything is connected.
If you're living in the UK, you may well have heard of this. The first 5 prizes were awarded in 2021. Entries will soon be arriving, and prizes awarded for this year. I'm so glad another (British) blogger told me about this. Thanks Jenny! So I've copied the basic information here...but there's lots more, like what the prize winners did, and what the runners up did...lots of good environmental energy! (The following is clipped from their web-site.)
The Earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet, or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve. People can achieve great things. The next ten years present us with one of our greatest tests – a decade of action to repair the Earth.” Prince William
Video of Sir David Attenborough and HRH Prince William
I'd recommend watching the video, it's not too long.
The Earthshot Prize is centred around five ‘Earthshots’ – simple but ambitious goals for our planet which if achieved by 2030 will improve life for us all, for generations to come. Each Earthshot is underpinned by scientifically agreed targets including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other internationally recognised measures to help repair our planet.
Together, they form a unique set of challenges rooted in science, which aim to generate new ways of thinking, as well as new technologies, systems, policies and solutions. By bringing these five critical issues together, The Earthshot Prize recognises [it's British spelling] the interconnectivity between environmental challenges and the urgent need to tackle them together.
The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge unites people to tackle some of today’s biggest challenges, delivering impact on a range of issues that matter to Their Royal Highnesses and to society.
Launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in October 2020, The Earthshot Prize is the most prestigious global environment prize in history.
[Each category is defined thus:]
1, Protect and Restore Nature -
BY 2030, WE CHOOSE TO ENSURE THAT, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY, THE NATURAL WORLD IS GROWING – NOT SHRINKING – ON OUR PLANET
Species all over the world face extinction as their homes are destroyed, but destroying nature threatens our lives too.
Forests and natural land are vital to human health and happiness, helping to prevent global warming and producing oxygen that we breathe. We must act now to protect our future.
We choose to repair and preserve the habitats that our animals need to live, from rainforests and grasslands, to wetlands, lakes and rivers.
We will award The Earthshot Prize to the most outstanding efforts to meet this challenge. To the conservationists who put a stop to poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking; to the landowners who create job opportunities for people who look after natural land; and to the entrepreneurs who help scale solutions for planting billions more trees that will secure the health and safety of generations to come.
2. Clean our air
BY 2030 WE CHOOSE TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD BREATHES CLEAN, HEALTHY AIR – AT WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION STANDARD OR BETTER
Millions of children all over the world breathe toxic air every day, causing countless deaths that could be prevented.
We refuse to accept this – clean air and healthy lives are within our reach.
We choose to end outdated transport that emits toxic fumes, remove pollution from the air using both technology and nature, and eliminate the burning of fossil fuels, choosing 100% renewable energy for everyone – from big cities to rural villages.
We will award The Earthshot Prize to the most outstanding efforts to meet this challenge. To the innovators who create job opportunities in green transport and clean energy; to the businesses who remove more pollution from the air than they put into it; and to the communities who let us heat our homes, travel to work and feed our families without polluting the air that we breathe.
3. revive our Oceans
BY 2030, WE CHOOSE TO REPAIR AND PRESERVE OUR OCEANS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Warmer temperatures, pollution and harmful fishing practices are having devastating impacts on the ocean, putting life underwater in jeopardy.
But this decade we can choose to make our ocean healthy.
We refuse to accept a world where turtles, dolphins and coral reefs vanish from our seas.
We choose to bring forward a new era where everyone uses the ocean sustainably.
We will award The Earthshot Prize to the most outstanding efforts to meet this challenge. To the innovators who revolutionise our understanding of life underwater; to the leaders who end criminal and unsustainable fishing practices; and to the technologists who repair coral reefs and show us how to remove pollution from the ocean on a global scale.
We choose a future where our children can enjoy the ocean for years to come, and where the ocean can continue to sustain and enrich all life on Earth.
4. build a Waste free world
BY 2030, WE CHOOSE TO BUILD A WORLD WHERE NOTHING GOES TO WASTE, WHERE THE LEFTOVERS OF ONE PROCESS BECOME THE RAW MATERIALS OF THE NEXT – JUST LIKE THEY DO IN NATURE
The world we have built is not like this; we throw everything away, and this is harming our planet.
But we have the power to build something better.
We choose to eliminate food waste, single-use packaging, and inspire a new generation of people, companies, and industries to reuse, repurpose, and recycle.
We will award The Earthshot Prize to the most outstanding efforts to meet this challenge. To the organisations that are eliminating single-use products and packaging; to the cities that revolutionise their waste management systems; and to the innovators who give new life to things destined for landfill.
We choose to build a system that can work forever, where people everywhere can live safe, healthy and happy lives, without waste.
5. Fix our climate
BY 2030, WE CHOOSE TO FIX THE WORLD’S CLIMATE BY CUTTING OUT CARBON: BUILDING A CARBON-NEUTRAL ECONOMY THAT LETS EVERY CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY THRIVE
Carbon in the atmosphere is making our planet warmer, to levels which threaten all life on Earth.
But it is not too late; if we act now, we can make the world a better, more sustainable home for everyone.
We will combat climate change by removing more carbon from the atmosphere than we put into it and ensuring all countries reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. We will build defences to protect innocent people from climate driven disasters and crises.
We will award The Earthshot Prize to the most outstanding efforts to meet this challenge. To the cities or countries who reach net-zero emissions; to the leaders who create millions of new jobs in a carbon neutral economy; to the technologists who remove carbon from the atmosphere on a global scale, whilst protecting human life and nature.
We choose to fix our climate so that life everywhere can thrive for generations to come.
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My reaction to these very interesting projects is that they are well above the understanding of our common person who goes to a job every day and comes home to some family or pets. Just the language is well above my understanding, and I've several college degrees. Maybe scientists will see this as just on the point.
I continue in pursuit of answers to the climate crisis. Today I ran across a 76 page White Paper (whatever that may be) by Creative Denmark "Designing the Irresistible Circular Society".
If it has anything interesting I'll share it on a blog in the future. I also watched a very interesting TED talk about a new economic model called a donut, which posits that economies should thrive and not grow. I think it made a lot of sense.
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