To: : Sunday Observer: letters@observer.co.uk

Re: Can the earth summit achieve anything? 

Date: Sun, 18 August 2002

 

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Dear Sir/Madam,

 

In today's Observer you ask: Can the earth summit achieve anything?

 

No it can not!

 

Because the problem is deeply rooted in our economic system and the largely unquestioned values, attitudes and aspirations on which it is based and depends.

 

Virtually all the people “flying” to Johannesburg (politicians, officials, advisors, members of the media, even many of the professional environmentalists) lead non-sustainable lifestyles, which depend on and perpetuate our non-sustainable economy. They cannot even begin to solve the problem, because they ARE the problem!

 

It is usually assumed that the poor are the problem, but they are not – at least, not the main problem – ; it’s wealthy!!  Not simply because they (we) place a much greater per capita burden on our planet’s resources and carrying capacity than the poor do, but – even more importantly –  because they (we) act as role models, whose non-sustainable lifestyles billions of others seek to emulate (who doesn’t want to own a car (or two) and fly off around the world whenever they like?!).

 

The course we are on is taking us inexorably towards catastrophe on an unimaginable scale (which is another reason why it is hard to believe and face up to). At the very most, our politicians will achieve only minor corrections to that course, when all that will save us is a radical change of course – A REVOLUTION – the fastest, most radical and comprehensive changes that our civilisation has ever undergone.

 

 As first sight that seems utterly impossible. If it is we are lost. But it’s not. I think I know how it can be done:

 

http://www.spaceship-earth.org