Maude Barlow is not the new premier of Alberta, where the media and industry seem to be sounding the alarm that a socialist leaning government will not be “profit friendly.”
Barlow is, however, one of thousands of people around the world who have seen the writing on the wall. It’s not everyone who gets to speak to the United Nations (April 27, 2015), particularly on the theme of achieving sustainable development and addressing climate change.
Ms. Barlow makes a strong case for looking at the “big picture”, the Gestalt psychology, the web, cause and effect, and the “feed back loop.”
What is both interesting and scary is that most cognizant beings understand the concepts and the dire consequences of our continued collective industrial growth behaviour and yet seem, at a political/economic level, unable or unwilling to change our collective behaviour. I am reminded of the substance abuser who, knowing their behaviour is not sustainable; but is unable to stop, even if it means their life.
Perhaps even more scary is that the very term “United Nations” is a bit of an oxymoron, for many of the members are self absorbed with their own type of abuse that includes people and the planet.
Governments, in an ideal world, only get away with what we allow. As concerned citizens, we in Canada, at least, have the option to say, “Enough is enough.” We can see where our current behaviour is leading and we don’t want to go there; we need a new sustainable model.
For further information search: “Maude Barlow defends nature against profit at the UN.”
Ron Robinson
Nelson, B.C.