1. We need to regard the biosphere (including us) as an organism. Anything
hurting one part hurts all of it. Humanity is the most potent part
of the biosphere, we have the power to wreck it or to manage and nurture
it but not to isolate ourselves from it as we are part of it.
2. We need to transform our social, ethical, economic structure gradually,
in a practical way, so we don't break it as we change it. A major
collapse of our economic structure might be the greatest ecological
disaster we can imagine short of full scale nuclear war as hundred
of millions or billions of people struggled to scratch survival from
the remains of the biosphere. But we also need to get moving so it
doesn't break while we discuss.
3. The Baha'i Faith makes an interesting point: that many of the problems/
crises afflicting humanity cannot be addressed without acknowledging
the essential unity of all humans and perhaps of all life.
4. May I suggest that detailed discussion of this monumental subject
would be most appropriate on sustag-l (Principles of Sustainable
Agriculture) which was created for just this sort of mix of scientific,
technical, economic, metaphysical considerations. I will be posting
this and the original note on that list.
To join sustag-l either:
a) send a message to listserv@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu saying:
"subscribe sustag-l your real name"
from the address you want subscribed or
b) send a message to sustag@beta.tricity.wsu.edu giving your name and
the email address you want subscribed.
Tom Hodges
Tom Hodges Cropping Systems Modeler ___ ___
USDA-ARS / \_/ \
Rt. 2, Box 2953-A Telephone: 509-786-2226 | |
Prosser, WA 99350 Fax: 509-786-4635 \______/^\/
USA potato tuber
============= thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu ========================
...photosynthesis makes the world go around... Mr. Potato Head