Who Should Pilot Spaceship Earth?

Saksar Sawasth Aur secular Haryana

Who Should Pilot Spaceship Earth?

By Gunther Ostermann

11 December, 2007
Countercurrents.org

“We are in a grave crisis and need to do something real fast.” That’s the general consensus by many climate scientists from Bali. But, they’re up against the economists who claim “scientists are in no position to intelligently guide public policy on climate change”. Really? Aren’t they the people who are mainly responsible with their ‘growth forever’ dream that got us in this mess?

If our consumption oriented HAVING society could be encouraged to adopt the concept of BEING, a philosophy best articulated by the late social psychologist and humanistic philosopher Erich Fromm, we could meet the desired ‘greenhouse gas emission targets’ in a fraction of the time.

Of course, it has to start with the leaders in politics, business, and the dream industries. If they would live and lead by example with a new Global Ethic:

Do not expect others to live with less than what you’re willing to live with, then the majority of the people would gladly follow.

Money represents a demand for goods and services, and that produces greenhouse gases. How then, can a “doomsday forecaster” demand a six figure-speaking fee plus expenses? Would anybody go on an airplane trip where the passengers will hold a vote as to who shall be the captain, co-pilot, and navigator, without any experience? Who would go on such a trip? Why then is Spaceship Earth in the hands of unqualified politicians, just because they’re given a portfolio, or vote?

It would help, if we remember daily that, we come with nothing, and leave just the same. And for over one hundred thousand people the departure date is today.

Let us speak on Behalf of those who cannot yet speak for themselves.

Gunther Ostermann can be reached at gco@shaw.ca