Surviving Capitalism (Not) : Giant ice block baffles scientists [1:44m video & other links]

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

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Giant ice block baffles scientists [1:44m video & other links]

from Al Jazeera.

I am absolutely amazed at the slight media coverage that this event is receiving in the US. The best I've come across so far is from Bloomberg News which provides this interesting title--"Iceberg Four Times Size of Manhattan May Hamper Atlantic Ships". Apparently they are more worried about the effects on commerce more than anything else.

The NY Times coverage on Monday seemed to emphasize the usual anti-climate change themes of "undecided scientists", "more research needed", "natural variations", etc.

The best report of all comes from UK's Guardian.

Then this piece entitled, Russia's Fires Cause "Brown Cloud," May Hit Arctic, suggests that things can get even worse.