Surviving Capitalism (Not) : James Hansen: 'I Thought There Would Be a Rational Response'

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

Friday, October 10, 2014

James Hansen: 'I Thought There Would Be a Rational Response'

Click here to access article by Brendan Montague from Desmog UK.

Montague uses extensive quotes from Hansen to explain why he was surprised by the lack of a rational response to the evidence forecasting global warming and associated disasters. This distinguished climatologist apparently didn't understand that evidence and reason have little effect on those who are addicted; in this case, addicted to the "highs" of power and wealth produced for them by a capitalist economy that is dependent on cheap forms of fossil fuels. Unfortunately these addicts are our very own ruling class, however we have done little to put a stop to their habits. I guess that makes us "co-dependents".