How to "Unf*ck the Earth" -- Hope in a Changing Climate

[KurtNYC]

Last edited Fri May 24, 2013, 12:39 PM - Edit history (1)

Participating in the 'climate change debate' in the USA is like standing on the deck of the Titanic arguing with other passengers about whether the ship is actually sinking.

The debate is a major waste of time, especially for those who believe that we are sinking. This documentary shows a path to the lifeboats. It destroys many myths about what it takes to feed massive populations. And it contains one of my favorite quotes about what money really is.

ETA: The money quote:

There is the current paradigm that has been described as the “Business as Usual” scenario. This is not workable. In this model you have the “cost – benefit ratio” and it can seem that restoration is expensive.

But in reality what is the value of Air, or Water, or Soil Fertility, or Climate Regulation? You can’t live without air, water, food and energy and these all come from functional ecosystems, so really what you are asking is determined by the assumption that money comes from the production and consumption of goods and services.

What if money were seen to come from functional ecosystems? What would happen then? Then no one could damage an ecosystem because they would pay an immediate financial penalty.

In a post paradigm economic thinking it is only expensive not to restore ecosystem function. On this pathway all forests, rivers, wetlands, oceans and atmosphere will be restored in 200 years.

http://www.global1.youth-leader.org/2011/06/john-liu-large-scale-ecosystem-restoration-for-climate-stability-and-abundance/

[snappyturtle]

1. Wow what transformations! Maybe we should all go out a plant this weekend.

Thanks so much for posting this hopeful message.

[KurtNYC]

4. A great set of before and afters around the 9 minute mark.

Glad you liked it.

[Control-Z]

2. K&R&Bookmarked! (nt)

[Berlum]

3. Excllent

K and r

[felix_numinous]

5. K&R--Loved this video!!!

Restoration is possible. If everyone planted just one tree to start with, and encouraged kids to plant trees. Restoring the health of the planet is the SURE way toward restoring a sense of health and well being to ourselves.

Fantastic before and after effects of restoration--imagine doing this in the mid West where we could trap more water!! Maybe if there were more forests in the mid West the storms would not be as lethal?

[BrotherIvan]

6. Thanks for sharing this amazing video!

I learned so much and I'm only halfway through. I also like how the emphasis was also on trees and groundcover, not just crops which can tax soils and need a full, healthy ecosystem to support growth.

I WISH we could see the value in this country of putting a public works system together that could rehabilitate our ecosystems. Imagine the benefits and the jobs that so many people would love to participate in! Why can't we put our money toward our communities instead of paying for bankers and war? WHY????

[KurtNYC]

7. I stumbled onto this in the right hand column of YouTube

about 2 months ago and it has haunted me ever since. Re-watched part of it yesterday and found it every bit as good as I remembered.

I am new to farming this year (growing organic potatoes, soybeans, onions and tomatoes) and have been doing all the research I have time for. I also came across the video below which is on how no-till farming is going main stream and how "conventional" old-school farmers are planting multispecies cover crops and green manures. This one is really good at showing how sharp and on top of their game farmers are (and HAVE to be). And then these show-me kind of guys get won over by the lower cost and labor savings. And a really good discussion about the life of soil.

[BrotherIvan]

8. Another one to watch, thanks

First of all, I'm very jealous you have the land to grow your own vegetables. I would so love to do that. I've done intensive barrel and bed growing, but there's no room where I live now.

In the time I spent up in Santa Cruz, CA, I met so many smart and interesting college grads going into farming and cooking as a complete chain of farm to table. They were implementing so many great ideas and had so much enthusiasm. It seemed like a great way to pursue an interesting and fulfilling life that wasn't about the pursuit of riches. It felt real and whole and so creative. I really support small farmers and wish our government was unleashing their creativity and energy instead of paying huge subsidies to giant businesses that are poisoning our planet and our food supply. I did learn that we as consumers must DEMAND a change and all the while, these passionate men and women are working on the answers.

Thanks again!