What a wonderful opportunity it was connecting with Janet Larsen, the director of research for the Earth Policy Institute. Janet is the co-author of the, “Earth Policy Reader“, and has written on topics ranging from natural resources availability to population growth and climate change.
In our interview together we discuss the all important topics of our current environmental focus ranging from how to reduce our carbon foot print, to the Arctic ice melt. More importantly we not only focus what is currently happening, but what we can do to help save our planet.
In Lester Brown’s book, “Plan B 3.0″, the focus is not just on the pessimistic viewpoint of how we are self destructing, but on how we can mobilize ourselves to save our civilization.
Janet points out that there are four (4) areas of focus for mobilizing our society to save our civilization.
1. Stabilize our population growth
2. Eradicate poverty worldwide
3. Restore the earth’s damaged eco-systems.
4. Stabilize our climate and reduce our C02 emissions by 80% by 2020.
In, “Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, Third Edition”, Lester Brown recommends that if you want to know what happened to earlier civilizations that also found themselves in environment trouble read, “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed“, by Jared Diamond or, “A Short History of Progress”, by Ronald Wright.
The scale of urgency of the challenge we face has no precedent, but what we need to do can be done. It is doable. Sit down to map out your own personal plan and time table for what you want to do to move the world off a path headed toward economic decline and onto one of sustainable economic progress. Set your own goals. Identity the people in your community you can work with to achieve these goals. Pick an issue that is meaningful to you, such as restructuring the tax system, banning inefficient light bulbs, phasing out coal-fired power plants, or working for “complete streets” that are pedestrian-and bicycle-friendly in your community. What could be more exciting and rewarding?
The choice is ours–yours and mine. We can stay with business as usual or preside over an economy that continues to destroy its natural support system until it destroys itself or we can learn from the Earth Policy Institute’s suggestions and help to save our civilization. My interview with Janet Larsen is revealing and will open your eyes to the challenges we face, as well as the actions we can take to make our world a better place to live.
I highly recommend, “Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, Third Edition“. You can learn more about the book and all of the activities that the Earth Policy Institute are involved in by visiting their website by clicking here.
I urge you to become active in your personal efforts to conserve resources as well as politically. Let your voice be heard … you and I can make a difference.
