Weasels are in the news these days, especially the metaphorical ones who create chaos everywhere. Maybe it's time to look to gophers for inspiration on how to regenerate a future that works for all.
Thank you Karen, these gopher reflections remind me of the US moral philosopher and nature author Prof Emerita Kathleen Dean Moore who was with a scientist at what appeared to be a dead volcanic-ash affected site. He said to her, look closely- these small patches, perhaps lichens or moss? I can’t quite remember , are ‘refugia’ - in time they as small colonies will transform the area to support more life. I see Ecoversities, many eco creatives I work with, mindful sanghas, regenerative restorers and economists, and people promoting the ethical ecoliteracy/systems literacy twice-UNESCO endorsed framework of the Earth Charter- that combines all the principles of the UN Declaration of Human Rights with the knowledge and Indigenous science, as refugia. It’s tragic to learn how western education has failed in integrated comprehensive values education.
I often think of US Prof Emeritus of Ethics Ron Engels reflections too, who shared how values education drastically declined after WWII - perhaps other meta narratives - such as growth-at-all -costs economics took over and remains so dominant. The Earth Charter is a peace charter and promotes a ecological worldview in its vision and I’m thankful to hear at times IPCC Prof Brendan Mackey refer to it. So much more emphasis that intersecting environmental and social challenges are a moral problem are needed.
Thanks again for articulating these times as an holistic ethical challenge and I’m glad gopher science is offering a means to describe collective agency as a transformative power for a better world.
Hi Cathy, Thanks for sharing your thoughts, including about refugia. It's good to remember how powerful small colonies can be. And thanks for reminding me about the Earth Charter! I just reread it -- it's so visionary and inspiring. I love that it emphasizes "Recognize that peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part." And it also includes "Ensure that the use of orbital and outer space supports environmental protection and peace." We have the principles and just need to put them into practice, now more than ever!
Thank you Karen, these gopher reflections remind me of the US moral philosopher and nature author Prof Emerita Kathleen Dean Moore who was with a scientist at what appeared to be a dead volcanic-ash affected site. He said to her, look closely- these small patches, perhaps lichens or moss? I can’t quite remember , are ‘refugia’ - in time they as small colonies will transform the area to support more life. I see Ecoversities, many eco creatives I work with, mindful sanghas, regenerative restorers and economists, and people promoting the ethical ecoliteracy/systems literacy twice-UNESCO endorsed framework of the Earth Charter- that combines all the principles of the UN Declaration of Human Rights with the knowledge and Indigenous science, as refugia. It’s tragic to learn how western education has failed in integrated comprehensive values education.
I often think of US Prof Emeritus of Ethics Ron Engels reflections too, who shared how values education drastically declined after WWII - perhaps other meta narratives - such as growth-at-all -costs economics took over and remains so dominant. The Earth Charter is a peace charter and promotes a ecological worldview in its vision and I’m thankful to hear at times IPCC Prof Brendan Mackey refer to it. So much more emphasis that intersecting environmental and social challenges are a moral problem are needed.
Thanks again for articulating these times as an holistic ethical challenge and I’m glad gopher science is offering a means to describe collective agency as a transformative power for a better world.
Hi Cathy, Thanks for sharing your thoughts, including about refugia. It's good to remember how powerful small colonies can be. And thanks for reminding me about the Earth Charter! I just reread it -- it's so visionary and inspiring. I love that it emphasizes "Recognize that peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part." And it also includes "Ensure that the use of orbital and outer space supports environmental protection and peace." We have the principles and just need to put them into practice, now more than ever!