We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Potential Anthropogenic Tipping Elements in the Earth System

from Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. This post provides an excellent graphic and explanatory outline of the areas of our planet that are experiencing severe damage and will contribute to climate change if they are not restored to health. 

Also from the same source: Copenhagen emissions targets so weak that the world is ‘in peril’
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