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To:
Conservative
Party's
Quality of
Life Policy
Group |
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Dear Policy
Group Members,
In recent
times we have
all been
reminded of
how someone
addicted to
alcohol, for
example, will
continue in a
state of
complete or
partial
denial,
even to
themselves,
over an
extended period
of time. And
it is well known
that before
they can
effectively tackle
their
"problem",
which even
while they
remain in
denial may be
seriously
affecting
their lives,
they have to
first admit to
themselves
that they have
a "problem".
Perhaps
because I'm a
bit of an
outsider, I
have come to
realise that
we are ALL
(our entire
civilisation)
in a state of
"collective
(mutually
reinforcing)
denial
" in respect
to our
addiction to
fossil fuels,
a
growth-dependent
economy and
the grossly
materialistic
lifestyles
(and lifestyle
aspirations)
it engenders.
It's an addiction that on our finite and vulnerable planet, with its ever increasing population of technologically empowered, but essentially insatiable human beings, is utterly unsustainable and taking us headlong towards global catastrophe. Unless we come out of denial and face up to the fact that WE have a PROBLEM, our children and coming generations (those who survive) will never forgive us. You think I'm greatly exaggerating and overdramatising the situation. Of course you do - that is how we keep ourselves in denial . . . I know how difficult it is for most people to believe me, not least, because of the implications for our economy and way of live, which we are so familiar with and dependent on. This is why, instead of facing up to the problem back in the early 1970's, when publications such as the "Limits to Growth" from the Club of Rome first drew wide public attention to it, we buried our heads in the sand and carried on with "business as usual". Your inclination to dismiss what I am saying and banish me to the lunatic fringe will be very strong, but please don't; not until you – or a working group – have given it serious and unhurried consideration. You've nothing to lose, but (if I'm right) a whole world to gain.
I have given a
longer,
4-page,
summary of my
ideas to my
MP, Lee Scott,
to be
submitted to
the Policy
Group (Link
to document). I hope
you will also
visit my
website (see
below), where
I am trying
(rather
inadequately,
I fear) to
develop and
communicate my
insights and
ideas on the
state of our
planet and how
we can still
save it. |
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