Dreamers, Holding Onto Hope, Paving the Path

So, after my last post, “Let’s Get Bohemian,” I was challenged by a fellow blogger to write a post relating the song “Dreamer,” by Ozzy Osbourne to the Anthropocene. While yes, one reason for this post is that I have a hard time turning down challenges, there is also another reason.

You see, it has been said that “music is the language of the world” or that “music is the language the whole world speaks.” It also has been said that “music is the language of the soul.” So what does this have to do with the Anthropocene?

Well, the way I see it, the Anthropocene is a massive, multi-faceted, and many-faced phenomenon that we are coming to terms with, which means that it has many different ways in which it can relate to us and our lives. We all can relate to music in one way or another, and I believe we can all relate to the Anthropocene in one way or another as well. Bits and pieces of the Anthropocene can be found in many, many different songs, and to me this just further illustrates just how large and well-versed (lol pun) the issue truly is. The oncoming challenge of the Anthropocene and its numerous effects encases infinite aspects of all of our lives. It truly is an issue that, like music, can speak to the world. However, more importantly, the Anthropocene can speak to the soul, as we see that it encompasses many different emotions–both positive and negative; dreadful and hopeful; freedom and enslavement.

I find the Anthropocene in my life daily, and music is no exception. When we expand our minds to embrace different metaphors and to find meaning in different things, I believe we truly grow our understanding of that entity. With the Anthropocene and its many effects, I have found it both daunting and inspiring to attempt to grasp its many meanings. However, one thing has become clear: the Anthropocene has roots that run deeper into each of our lives than we could ever have thought, and this is what makes it something that can relate or appeal to all of us. The broad scope of life, society, and humanity that falls within the breadth of the Anthropocene is what makes it so easily relatable to something as far away from the actual issue as an Ozzy song. So here is my analysis of “Dreamer,” by Ozzy Osbourne, as to how it correlates and corresponds with and ties to our current and future geologic epoch.

Dreamer

By Ozzy Osbourne

Gazing through the window at the world outside.
Wondering will Mother Earth survive.
Hoping that mankind will stop abusing her, sometime.

After all there’s only just the two of us.
And here we are still fighting for our lives.
Watching all of history repeat itself, time after time.

I’m just a dreamer, I dream my life away.
I’m just a dreamer, who dreams of better days.

I watch the sun go down like everyone of us.
I’m hoping that the dawn will bring a sign.
A better place for those who will come after us, this time.

I’m just a dreamer, I dream my life away. (oh yeah)
I’m just a dreamer, who dreams of better days.

Your higher power maybe God or Jesus Christ.
It doesn’t really matter much to me.
Without each others help there ain’t no hope for us.
I’m living in a dream of fantasy, oh yeah yeah yeah!

If only we could all just find serenity.
It would be nice if we could live as one.
When will all this anger, hate and bigotry be gone?

I’m just a dreamer, I dream my life away. (today)
I’m just a dreamer, who dreams of better days. (ok)
I’m just a dreamer, who’s searching for the way. (today)
I’m just a dreamer, dreaming my life away. (oh yeah yeah yeah)

Obviously this song is about a dreamer (hence the title) who, as he sees the world around him, realizes the darkness that is cast over it and its future. Upon seeing this negativity, he dreams. He dreams for a better future, for a better Earth, better lives for all of humanity.

The song starts out setting the scene, our scene. As we look around us, taking in all the damage done, one truly must wonder, “Will Mother Earth survive?” We look outside the busy window of day-to-day grind and gain, and we begin to see it all. We see the polluted rivers, the diminishing ice caps, the coral bleached white as snow, and we realize, in that moment, that we have hurt her, that we have severely injured Mother Earth. In this moment, when we see her pain and struggle, and all the abuse that we have cast upon our planet, we truly hope for better. We hope that mankind would “fix” the planet that we have been so badly abusing for so long; make things right again. This is our hope: that others would realize the hurt that is taking place, as we have, and put an end to it, just as we wish.

There’s two of us. There’s us and the planet. Well, actually, there 7.2 billion of us and then there’s the Earth. Two forces, constantly intermingled, competing, fighting, living–side by side, within and around. There’s Earth and humanity, the two most dominant figures, but right now both are at a constant struggle with each other. It’s as if we see ourselves so distanced from the Earth, that we are no longer a part of it, but while this makes the basis as to why both we and the planet are “fighting for our lives” against each other, this is not truly the case. We must realize that we and the planet are parts of each other, intertwined intimately and eternally. While we are separate entities, we are not separate, and should not believe that we are. It is this mindset that has caused our history of environmental and planetary degradation and disrespect, again and again, over and over. When we learn that we are not just neighbors, but siblings, or even mates, there will be no “fight” to be had.

Those who are informed and who care about the issues of the oncoming Anthropocene, hoping for a better future, hoping that we take notice and make the needed changes in order to sustainably, and happily, live in the Anthropocene, are the dreamers. Those who truly see the dire situation of detriment that we have cast ourselves into, yet also see the light of a futre with a real opportunity for meaningful change and true progress–they are the dreamers. The dreamers realize that the current situation is definitely not a good one, but they look ahead, grasping the freedom of wayfaring that will come as we venture into the uncharted future; seeing that we are at an impasse, but one that is passable in many ways that we have yet to discover; and dreaming of those better days, when we have made it, not only as individuals, but as a wholesome nation of all humanity and inhabitants of Earth.

The dreamers live life with a constant hope of better days to come. While they watch the future unravel and time go by, they know that time for a change in our lifeways draws ever nearer, and that the clock for every single one of us, for civilization and societies ticks on and on, but that as the effects of the Anthropocene continue to surface, the certainty of those ticks shrinks ever smaller. They hope that dawn of humanity shines glorious, that they would glimpse a sign of change towards a better future. They know that what is to come in the Anthropocene is unknown, and while this does not shake their hope, they still long for that change, for deep societal changes that would ensure a brighter future of intimate existence of humanity and the planet–change in the right direction, that in the dawn of the future they would see a sign that there truly is a better Earth in store for those of the future, that we now must work to get there.

It doesn’t matter who you are, the Anthropocene affects us all. It’s time we put our differences and disagreements aside in order to transition effectively into this new era. We, humans, messed up. It is time we realized this and got started on fixing what needs to be fixed, so that we may ensure for ourselves a future without catastrophe. If we don’t come together as a collective, then no voices will be heard, nothing will be advocated for, and no change will be made. Our only hope is as one people, with one goal, focused and driven to do what’s necessary to sustain our hope for the future. However, in a world so distant, so sanctioned and divided, is this possible or just a fantasy? It’s hard to imagine mankind choosing something other than momentary and present satisfaction, which is sad. So, hoping for this collective action is almost as if you’re caught in a fantasy, wishing for things that aren’t even there or probable.

What if rather than simply looking out the window, we got up and went outside into the sunshine? When we can see the hope, when we can all become like the dreamers, only then will we be able to move forward, only then will we be able to begin paving our way in the Anthropocene. When we realize that yes, our situation is dire, but that it also brings freedom and opportunity and unlimited potential for meaningful change on many levels, then we find that serenity in the future. Then we see turn the negativity and uncertainty into an optimistic adventure. How nice it will be, when man and Earth finally live as one, when we realize that we are not so distant from the planet we inhabit and that we are much more connected than we previously thought. When we embrace the intimacy of our relationship with Mother Earth, and take on ourselves as part of her nature, then a feeling of wholeness and bliss will sweep over us. It will be a feeling of sweet serenity, because we know we have made our own future in a likeness we saw fit. The bad things and the problems of the Anthropocene and of the past will be resolved, we will have adjusted ourselves and our ways, aligning them with the future the dreamers had been hoping for.

 I pray that these dreamers are not simply dreaming their lives away, but that they are simply seeing the future as it will one day be. I give us, humans, the mission to make it so; to make our own future; to make our own future one of caring, sustainability, serenity, and goodness for all the Earth and for the Earth. Holding onto our hope provides us with the only sure light as we navigate the unknown. As the dreamers dream, that hope is cultivated, defined and redefined. As we continue to search for that better Earth and our better lives and the better future, let us not just dream, but do. We are at a point where at more than any time in recent history, we, as a holistic body of humanity, has a freedom. We have the freedom of choice–to go forward, paving our path, creating our future. The blacktop has ended, so now let us be led by our dreams, by our hope, and by our selves. We are off track, and the future is ultimately uncertain, but not impossible. We dream of better days, but let’s be more than dreamers.

References:

• “Love Your Monsters,” Bruno Latour
• “The Trouble with Wilderness,” Cronan

Social v. Technology…Which do we NEED?

We have been discussing in class the things that are needed to change in order to reduce the impact of climate change and the Anthropocene.  Some, such as Steve Rayner, believe that it a technological change that will be easily adapted by the most people with the least amount of loss or changes by the individual would be beneficial.  The After Oil (people) would disagree with this and that it is a social change and a different way of thinking and values to get us through the Anthropocene away from our fossil fuel dependency and beliefs.  My opinion would be…both?

What I mean by this is that we do need a change in the social beliefs and the way people think, especially those in the Global North, but we can also use technology that will help us make the necessary changes without actually needing to change.  I see this as a near future-far future scenario where both options will be needed.  To me the problem with just the changing of our values or beliefs, as After Oil and many others call it, is that this process will take too long. This can be a change that will help in the far-future or long term.  But, I think with things like long range electric cars, like I explained in my last blog, is something that can help change the impact of the Anthropocene in the near-future.

After Oil people would, instead of electric cars, have electric trains or other forms of public transportation that is operated with renewable green energy.  I totally agree with this idea and would like for this to happen too.  But, how long would this take to be in operation on a large enough scale to make an impact?  There are many regions, like Europe, that already have this in place and could expand it, but the U.S. is far behind in this area.  The massive amounts of infrastructure needed to complete this huge project would take years, if not decades, to complete.

What can we do in the meantime?  With years or decades in waiting on this infrastructure should we continue to operate as Business As Usual?  No, we should not and that is where Tesla’s and long range electric vehicles come in.  They could be used on a massive scale to be a transition period between the near and far future.  We can use and develop both aspects of technology and social change at the same time…simultaneously.

Plus, even with renewable green transportation, will it reach everyone in the U.S.?  Will all the small towns in Kansas, for example, have a train station or public transportation hub in it?  Most likely this will not be the case.  So there “may” always be a need for privately owned vehicles in the U.S. and around the globe.

We definitely need to change our ways and get away from our fossil fuel culture, but this cannot happen overnight.  It will take time and the necessary pieces in place for it to work on a scale large enough to make an impact on the Anthropocene.  This will take a change in social behavior, but it will…or can, also involve the technology that we have to not have to change everything all at once.

Should we sit around and think of a perfect plan for technology to help us?  Should we change the way people think and their values to move toward a solution to this issue?  Or, should we “wayfare” and do both at the same time?  Seems to me, and what we talked about in class, is that we always seem to do both at the same time anyways.  Changing the minds of 7.2 Billion people to think alike and move forward is a great idea, but that will take a long time.  And, time is not on our side in this fight that mankind is in right now against climate change and the Anthropocene.

Let’s Get Bohemian

“Bohemian Rhapsody” — Queen

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see

Is this the real life? How can it be that we, the mightiest species to walk the earth, are now caught in a situation of mere desperation? For many, the concepts of climate change, global warming, and the Anthropocene seem like far-off phenomena that will take place somewhere in the future–not our responsibility. This is not the case. All of these events are taking place in the now: The Anthropocene is here, global warming and climate shift are well underway. It is real life; It is not a fantasy.

Because of the unfamiliarity of our situation, and the uncertainty of our future, it may seem as if we are caught in a landslide, that we are going to be overrun with the mess we have created. Our reality is that we must confront climate change and global warming in order to go about living in the reality. There is no escape from that fact. The landslide of everything up to this point in man’s history has led us to where we now stand, and there is no changing the past; no excuses; no running; no plausible escape from reality; either we fold or go forth.

Our reality is not that civilization will unravel and mankind surely perish, but that we are at a moment of epic freedom–where we can choose and then create the path upon which we wish to embark. This is what we must open our eyes to see; that change is inevitable, but that it is a change that we have the freedom to control. We are at the wheel, we steer our present into our future. We must open our eyes and see this.

When we do, we will also see that things are not all doom and gloom. You see, we are faced with a reality unlike any faced by our ancestors, this is real life, our fairytale-fantasy of fossil fuels and planetary degradation has come to an end; our landslide has finally caught up to us. The stark reality is that there is no escaping this; that we are here, at this critical point, and that it is impossible to revert back to prior times. We need to wake up, open our eyes and realize the direness of our situation, but also its opportunity. This how we can force the doom and gloom to subside. The skies seem dark, but at this moment, we, and we alone, possess the ability to create our own light, in whatever way we seem fit, that it may best serve us, not and into the coming generations. Our future is an impasse, not because it is impassable, but because is passable in an infinite number of ways. Let us look to the sky and see the freedom of our circumstances utilize that freedom to create our course in the best way possible as we meander into the Anthropocene.

In front of us lies the blank canvas of the times to come, the illustration to be born will ultimately be determined by how we go about applying the paint. Our strokes will lead to our future, and likewise, our wayfaring through the Anthropocene will determine where we eventually arrive as a species, planet, world.

It is the real life;
It’s not just fantasy.
We’re created our landslide,
Now must face our reality.
Open our eyes
See the opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

Where the Blacktop Ends

We are there. We have reached the point where the blacktop ends. However, instead of there being several “gravel” roads to choose from, we are confronted with the equivalent of a parcel of completely undeveloped, unknown land. The blacktop of knowingness and certainty has run out; the pavement has simply ended into the nothingness of “what shall be.” This land is the metaphorical ‘Field of Wayfaring,’ and through it, we will pave our way through the Anthropocene, little by little.

As we blindly set forth into the uncharted Field of Wayfaring, we concieve our new path. With each step, we mark new territory, we expand our horizons, we bring about new possibilities of direction and aptitude, and we continue to pave with each and every move we make. Before now, we had our destination in sight, and were able to plan multiple different routes by which to arrive there. Our blacktops that have now run out. But now, we do not know our destination–we have no idea where we will arrive–so there is no way to plan a path to get there. There is no longer a blacktop to smoothly carry us to our destination, because there is no destination in sight; there is no foreseen or foretold future to which we will eventually arrive. There is only our current position; our starting point, if you will. We can no longer build our future according to what we have known.

This is why we must begin paving our way. The known stopped at the edge of the blacktop, we are now on virgin soil, inventing our path, weaving our way, and paving our future in the Anthropocene. As we venture, we adjust. Then we wander some more, readjust, and just keep moving along in our own way, and as we do these things, we create our path. This is our wayfaring: thinking and acting, rethinking and reacting, and doing these things collectively, cyclically, and continuously, creating our path and our destination simultaneously as we go about in this way. There is no telling where we are going or how we will get there, only that we are ‘going’ and that we are going to get ‘there.’ We go blindly into the field, there are no former roads to follow; we are on our own, reliant upon our current senses of direction and pace of movement through motivation. The result of our wayfaring will be determined by our thoughts, emotions, actions, judgements, and choices we apply along the way.

Key elements of this picture to take note of: 1) the road ending, just as our known paths have come to an end and that we are at a new beginning; 2) the gate is open, representing that we are not stuck, but that we can continue on; 3) the shadowy trees and buildings beyond the gate that lack detail, indicating that our future and our destination is uncertain, but that it is there nonetheless; 4) the rays of sun shining down on the field, illustrating that although the field is unknown, there is hope because we are given the freedom to pave our path

 

Mankind has reached a crucial point in its history, not because we are faced with an impassable ‘field,’ but because with the end of our blacktop, we are faced with the ultimate freedom–choice. The routes of old are all irrelevant; the cracked pavement of the past is behind us. Wayfaring is freedom, and this is our current situation: not impassable, but passable in an infinite number of ways, from which we have the complete freedom to choose our course.

Our blacktop has ended, will we end with it? As time ticks on, we decide. Through the freedom of choice that we have been given with the end of our blacktop, we now control the future and our destiny of the human race; we alone will be responsible for paving our way in the Anthropocene; the freedom is ours.

Reference: “After Oil“

The End of Pessimism…

After reading the article After Oil and our discussions in class I realized it may be of great benefit to go from a pessimist to an optimist about climate change and the Anthropocene.   It may be my lack of faith in people is getting the best of me and the opportunity I have to make a difference in this fight.  I need to move away from the “Transition through Catastrophe” idea into something more positive.

There will always be those people that will not change until they are forced to.  And, there will be those people that will fight against those who want to change because they may lose political power or mostly likely money.  I think because a lot of people are ignoring or denying that climate change is real is one reason that I have the lack in faith in humanity to solve this issue before it is too late.  Also, political leaders who have their own agenda and it is not in the best interest of the public is another reason for it.

But, today I am challenging myself to get rid of the pessimism and look at the things that need changing and how people are working towards that goal.  The “transition from below” is where the majority of the “average” person will fit in.  It is society working towards a change in our future.  From the individual to the community people are making changes that have positive outcomes.

Next is “transition without loss” and deals with a smooth transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.  The impasse says that we do not have the right technologies in place yet.  But, the good thing is that we have the right technologies available, and that they are starting to be implemented in large scale in some areas.  Other areas, such as lesser developed countries or regions, still need to see this implemented.  But, it is very hard for them to do with the money they have available.

Transition through localization is just what it sounds like.  Issues are becoming more regulated and dealt with at the local level and people in communities having a say in what goes on in their back yard.  They are not just letting someone in the government making the decision for them.

Transition after capitalism is the hardest one in this list in my book.  What can we have besides Capitalism?  Is the answer Marxist Communism?  Marxism has nothing to do with the Communism in China, N. Korea, Cuba, or Russia…this is totally different.  But, as some point out, how do factor in the market system (i.e. goods) in this type of system.   Equality is a definite need for our future, not just in the US, but globally.

Transition through state reform is one of the greatest needs on this list for me.  We may or may not get it with the next presidential election.  Feeling the Bern may provide a leader who is the side of the environment, but can he work with both parties to get the necessary bills into law and the funding needed to combat against climate change.  Only time will tell.

Transition through catastrophe is the worst option and I am being hopeful and optimistic that the human race will work to avoid this one all together!  Time to think happy thoughts about our future…

More Clarification

I should clarify more about my last post on the “Game Changer”.   After thinking more about the post on the Tesla Model 3 and the Harley Davidson Livewire I realized that I did not explain as clearly and deeply as I should about how this is a game changer.

Electric vehicles (EV) have been around for a long time.  The first electric motorcycle was created 1867 for the World Exposition in Paris by the Austrian inventor Franz Kravogl and the first electric car/buggy was invented by Thomas Parker in 1884 in London, England.

There are other EV’s out there such as the Ford Focus and the Nissan Leaf, but what separates them from the Tesla models (and the new Chevrolet Bolt) is range.  The Tesla’s and the Bolt are the only ones that have a 200+ mile range.  Almost all the others in production have less than 100 mile ranges.  What is so big about the range you say?

If you have an EV that has a 75 mile range, such as the Ford Focus, you will most likely use that for around town or to and from work.  But, if you like to travel then this vehicle will not work for that or you will have to stop at every charging station you can find.  So, most likely you will have a second vehicle for traveling.  If you have a family this may be no big deal.  But, if you don’t then you will have multiple vehicles.  With the extended range of the Tesla’s and the Bolt you can have the option of having only one vehicle instead of two.

While this has been mostly an economic benefit it also has an impact on climate change and the Anthropocene also.   These vehicles with the longer ranges allow free movement of people without the hindrance of range per charge.  If the Harley Davidson Livewire goes into production and becomes an option to buy, and has a long range, it will also provide the same benefit for motorcycle riders.

The benefits are a vehicle that has a long range, can replace a standard fuel vehicle, and can create a huge impact on the environment.  They can do all of these things without people having to actually change!  They can create change without changing and that is the reason why this is a game changer.

A Web of Heirarchies

Society is a hierarchy. Like it or not, that is the truth. Whether you believe this is a thing of the past, or something that never was, society today continues to be a complex web of intermingled hierarchies.

Equality? Please.

Yes, we may all have certain unalienable rights, but we all are not equal. We all possess varying amounts of control and influence over different people at different times and in different situations, and similar powers are exercised over each of us even as we exercise our own. In this way, society is not a hierarchy in terms of a pyramidal type structure with levels upon levels, but more of an ever-changing web of pyramids based upon different relationships, situations, and time frames–some are indefinitely more powerful than others, yes, but not infinitely so. This then can lead to the question of our freedom. In a society of hierarchies, such as I have suggested, are we really ever free?

Furthermore, this hierarchy is what puts limits on change, because so many of the powers within the hierarchical web are unwilling to give up their rule and influence over others. Fossil fuels have reinforced and further separated the bodies within this hierarchy, because they heighten and extend the placement of those already powerful figures and corporations in the web. In a way, this web of hierarchies is the exact same concept that Timothy Mitchell talks about in “Carbon Democracy.” Overthrowing the system, of tipping the scales within the web is a massive feat, but to make sustainable steps, it must be accomplished.

Geoengineering VS Sociocultural Reengineering

Earth has reached a critical point. Due to increased releases of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities, the planet’s temperatures are rising rapidly. This phenomena of global warming has already shown many different effects, and more are sure to follow. Continued release of fossil fuels and the resulting continued warming of the planet are approaching dangerous levels, that if reached could be catastrophic to not just the environment, but all of humanity across the globe.

Currently, society is failing to act upon this issue; we continue with our “business-as-usual” methods. We are continuing to burn more and more fossil fuels and engage in other harmful activities, putting higher and higher amounts of greenhouse gases into the air—warming our planet, despite our knowledge of the dangers of doing so. Mankind cannot agree on cutting emissions or changing lifestyles, due to political, economic, social, and other various reasons, stalling action against global warming while its harmful effects continue. Because of this failure to take action, scientists are considering geoengineering as a way to slow, reduce, or even halt the warming of our planet. The fact that the effects of current greenhouse gas emissions will continue to be felt for year later also creates an incentive. Geoengineering is essentially human intervention into the natural processes of the earth. So, in the specific case of global warming, geoengineering would include intervening into the Earth’s climate and climate processes to induce cooling, or at least stabilization of temperatures.

There are many different geoengineering ideas that could be used to combat the planet’s warming, all of which target a certain aspect of the climate system involved in warming, or look to target similar aspects in a different ways, but the two main strategies indlude changing Earths albedo and removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. One of the proposed geoengineering tactics involving solar radiation included the release of sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere. These particles would block sunlight through their reflectivity and lead to a cooling of the Earth, similar to the effect of a large volcanic eruption—the thought of trying to initiate an eruption has also surfaced. Also in relation to the concept of decreasing the amount of solar radiation to reach the earth, the idea of placing large mirrors or shades in orbit between the sun and earth has also been put forth. The “sun shields” would essentially block or reflect incoming solar radiation before it reaches the planet or atmosphere.

The other largely discussed area of geoengineering includes attempting to remove carbon dioxide from the Earth’s atmosphere. There are many ways to accomplish this CO₂ reduction. One way includes the injection of iron dust into the ocean, which will trigger algal blooms. Another tactic includes modifying crops to make them “suck” more carbon from the atmosphere. A third way is to find ways to contain and store carbon, and the fourth way would be to plant more forests to create a larger natural carbon sink.

While the above strategies for dealing with climate change and global warming may seem to be seem to be the “solutions we have been looking for,” this is not necessarily the case.  Each of the listed geoengineering techniques (along with the many other that I did not necessarily list) have pros, but also cons. For example, blocking sunlight would mean less generation of power through solar power, meaning that additional means of energy creation would have to be used. Additionally, geoengineering processes are often expensive and also bring to question environmental ethics, because of their unknown and variable negative effects.

Furthermore, while geoengineering may be able to slow or halt the problem of global warming, this does not solve the problem at hand. In a way, geoengineering is humanity’s scapegoat: it will allow them to continue their harmful practices without adjustment or change to more sustainable lifeways. If we simply rely on geoengineering to solve our problem, we are deceived. The fact that we have reached the stage where we are considering geoengineering should be a blaring wake-up call for the populations of Earth. Geoengineering should only be seen as a temporary solution, used to slow the effects of the planet’s warming, while we, the people of Earth, change our lifeways towards sustainability–undergo sociocultural reengineering. Sociocultural reengineering is the modification of humanity and its social, as well as individual structures through both action and active reassessment of every aspect of who we are and what we do as humans and societies while we go about our wayfaring lives. It is essential that we, as a whole of humanity, quickly realize the level of necessity of making these changes before it is too late. The sooner we react, the more lessened will be the eventual consequences of climate change.

Human intervention into nature is what caused the problem of global warming, so I don’t think that further intervention is likely to solve it. Rather, I think that human intervention into human activity is the best solution to our predicament. If we are to sustain our planet and ourselves into the future, we must look into our cultures, societies, and lives, and make the needed changes in those areas—that is the only way we can provide salvation for Earth and Man.

 

Constituting Change in the Anthropocene

We the People of the Planet Earth, in order to form a more sustainable future, establish humanity’s stability, insure societal tranquility, promote environmental welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty and serenity to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this document, constituting change for all the World.

When in the course of human events, there comes a time that the people must redirect their current trajectory, reevaluating and redefining their meaning of progress and their ways of life, it is up to them to do so, or otherwise seek their demise. It is lamentable to think that we have sat docile for so long, yet, pondering this, there comes forth no such rational reason for our belligerent inaction.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that our current situation as inhabitants of this planet is detrimental, and that whenever any set of lifeways become destructive, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish and replace these ways, and to institute new societal ways of life, laying their foundations on such principles and organizing their powers in such forms, as to them shall seem most likely to supply sustainable, unhindered, flourishing of all facets of humanity now and in the generations to come.

Prudence, indeed, shall dictate that ways that have long been established should not be changed for light or transient causes, especially when the ill-defined  façade of progress that is observed has created a society that seems revolutionary compared to those that are preceding. Accordingly, as experience hath shewn, mankind is more disposed to suffer, while the evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the ways of life to which they are accustomed. But, when a long train of implications and devastations has been the continued and foreseen effect of retaining such harmful ways of life, it is in the right and full obligation of the people to throw off such ways, that they may provide new ways for their future security and well-being, both as individuals and as a whole body of humanity.  We deem that the implications that have beset us in the Anthropocene are not of light or transient being, and that though proceeding forth with our unchanged lifeways may be sufferable, it no longer should be, nor can be acceptable. For too long we have been in patient sufferance; and such is now the necessity which constrains us to alter our former ways of life, for ourselves and for the Earth.

~Sounding Sons

(Based off the preamble to the Constitution of the United States and excerpts from the Declaration of Independence; thank you Founding Fathers)

Game Changer

Last night at 8:30 PM a game changer was revealed to the world.  One that could make a major impact in the world and help those of us that are trying to find our way to impact the Anthropocene.  It can help reduce your carbon footprint toward the goal of 1 earth…or maybe even lower depending on your lifestyle.

It was designed by a man who “is the founder, CEO and CTO of Space X; co-founder, CEO and product architect of Tesla Motors; chairman of SolarCity, co-chairman of OpenAl; co-founder of Zip2; and co-founder of PayPal …as of March 2016, he has an estimated net worth of US$13.5 billion, making him the 75th wealthiest person in the US.”

If you haven’t figured who and what it is yet…the answer is in the previous paragraph.  Who is it? Elon Musk.  What is it? The Tesla Model 3.  He took a gamble with the Tesla Motors company and I think it is paying off, not just financially, but for the sake of our planet and its finite resources.  It will be a “high volume, affordable price” vehicle.

The all new Tesla Model 3 was unveiled last night.  But, how is this car a game changer? Because it will costs around $35,000, BEFORE incentives.  People in California could get this for around $25,000 dollars after state and federal incentives.   While there are other fully electric vehicles in this price range none of them have the range that this one has, at least a 215 mile range. It has a 5 star crash rating, autopilot safety features, seating for 5, and for those that care 0-6 in under 6 seconds.  Unfortunately not as fast as the all wheel drive Model S.

The delivery of this vehicle starts in late 2017 and Tesla hopes to build 500 thousand models before 2020.  It is their way of mass producing, but still having a quality product, that will help sustain our world…or Accelerating Sustainable Transport as Tesla puts it.  You can reserve your own for a down payment of $1000.  Looks like this is one of my first $1000 spent after graduation!

One of the reasons Tesla is so successful is because of the range that their vehicles have.  The Model 3 has a range of 215 miles, the least of their line, the Model S has a range of 240-270 miles depending on what option you buy, and the Model X SUV has a range of 220-257 miles.  I would love the Model S P90D because it has a Ludicrous (yes Ludicrous) Speed setting.  It can go 0-60 in 2.8 seconds! That is faster than most supercars!  But the price is well out of my range so I will settle (sarcasm) for the Model 3.

With the range that they have you can leave the excuse of traveling to those other electric vehicles with less than 100 miles.   There are supercharger stations all over the U.S. so you can travel across the country and only add hours to your trip. They are already programmed in to the cars GPS for your convenience.

While I sit saving and waiting for this car to come out, I will also sit and wait for the next motorcycle I want to come out, that is if Harley-Davidson is actually going to add it to its production line.  It is the motorcycle called Livewire and came out as a concept a few years back to see how people reacted.  If you have seen the movie Avengers, Black Widow rode one.  The current issue they have is that the range is lower than what they want and what the customer wants.  It is only 50 miles, but Harley Davidson is new to the EV (electric vehicle) technology.  Hopefully they sort out this issue and this bike makes it into production.

These are examples of where our future may be headed.  It will take ideas and products like these to end our dependence on fossil fuels and go toward a future of renewable energy.  So far one is a reality and the other I’m hoping will become one too.  People are taking things that everyone uses on a daily basis and changing them to suit our future…and doing this without inconvenience!

If you want to know more about Elon Musk and Tesla,

https://www.teslamotors.com/

Harley-Davidson Livewire,

http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/motorcycles/project-livewire.html