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  • From: "D.A. Riley" <permascape@yahoo.com>
  • To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Near the Breaking point
  • Date: Tue, 23 May 2006 10:58:18 -0700 (PDT)

J, E.E., Bart et. al.,

Amazing work being done to collect information to keep us all thinking,
and every argument has so much data to back it's point. I'm just trying to
filter it all.

I had this question come to me after I saw the president of Shell Oil
interviewed on the Today show this morning: Are we fueling the fear for
their profit?

Firstly, he was a little too smooooooth in his delivery, defending the huge
profits being made and how he cared for each n' every one of the customers
at Shell station throughout the world. He also echoed many of the points
being made by energy conservation advocates; how it's a shame to see
commuters idling in traffic jams, empty public transportation being a waste,
how one solution would be to drive slower. (It seems like telling an
substance abuser the signs and symptoms of their addiction).

And lastly, he says (paraphasing)..." if only the public would find it
acceptable to drill in sensitive areas for oil" . Now to me that's saying,
and here is the question that came to me; Are you people scared enough NOW,
that you will allow us to rip into wilderness areas for oil company future
profits, to keep your addictions fed? And, thank you for the information
campaign to promote the fear.

Maybe there's enough oil? Maybe we're almost out? Perhaps the pace of using
petrol in the USA for the commuting fat and unhappy drive-thru-economy is
outa control. Will it make a difference if we get everyone to acknowledge
it? Now or later? Will frightening the masses into line be better for the
environment (less air pollution), or worse (more drilling).

As Permaculturists, do we need to behave as though oil is gone now and get
on with it...build community and food systems locally, provincially?
-That's a rhetorical question 8>)

So many ways to see the Elephant.

Cheers,

DA







From: J Kolenovsky
Subject: Re: [permaculture] Global Food Supply Near the Breaking Point


Thank you, Bart, for stepping up to the plate. I read your website
daily. This group could benefit from more people of your background.
Maybe the naysayers would become believers. Heinberg, Holmgrem Kuntsler,
Colin, et al are a host of good sources on the PO theory. I believe
the proof or credible demonstation is a very SIMPLE thing. (like KISS).
Oil is finite. There is only so much. This is not about RUNNING OUT. It
is about shortage and supply and demand. Look at this. How long oil been
pumped out of ground? 150 years? How many oil consuming machines made in
that time period. 2 billion? How many tailpipes idling on fossil fuels?
1 billion? C'mon. This planet is not that big and is getting scarce on
fossil fuels and oxygen. The real issue is not the aforementioned but
is, "What are we going to do going forward? Are we going to put aside
our uniquenesses and get along to work towards a solution and common
good? Will we pull our heads out of our encyclopedias and lexicographias
and look around at the world about us. Institutions aren't going to
educate people about this. Will we step up and educate them about
possibilities to live in the future?" Or are we scared about what we
have done in the past 150 years (fattened calves) and start thinking
about living real lives in the next 150 years?




And:
------------------------------


From: "E. E. Mitchamore Jr"



Well said, and I agree, except for one thing: Uniqueness. I don't believe
that "uniqueness" and "get(ing) along to work towards a solution and common
good" are necessarily in conflict. It's the competition (my way is better
than yours, just because it's mine), that gets in the way. Diversity is a
strong theme of Permaculutre. We should celebrate unique strengths and
abilities in ourselves, as well as our plants, while learning to employ
those strengths in cooperative fashion..

A local (Austin) example: A well-meaning group of fervent environmentalists
recently spent a lot of money ($450,000), trying to get some changes made to
the city charter to protect the local aquifers. Their passion ultimately
caused failure, as the proposed amendments went too far for the general
public and energized the opposition. Will they be able to regain a position
of influence, or did insistence on "one way" do irreparable damage?

E. E. "Mitch" Mitchamore
www.hillcountrynatives.biz








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  • Re: [permaculture] Near the Breaking point, D.A. Riley, 05/23/2006

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