Surviving Capitalism (Not) : How Quiet Environmental Uprisings are Spreading Across the Country

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

Saturday, July 28, 2012

How Quiet Environmental Uprisings are Spreading Across the Country

Click here to access article by Scott Parkin from CounterPunch.

There is not much data here to support this activist's view, but he senses a significant increase in opposition to continued attacks on the ecosystem by ordinary people.

I'm seeing some local opposition to a proposed huge coal terminal here in northwest Washington state in the form of protests, a ballot initiative banning transport of coal trains through the city of Bellingham, and a city council effort, over the mayor's objection, to place a non-binding vote regarding the terminal on the ballot. As usual, I see the issue being played out with one side touting jobs and the other side promoting environmental values.