All a person would have to do would be to add an electronic/digital addendum to their pledge to make it relevant to any special needs or concerns of their particular community. This would not weaken the pledge,but broaden its range and strengthen the spirit of the document.
There are four things I want to make clear.
One, there is no way you can have a sound environment or work holistically and organically towards "greening" if you are not intentionally seeking inclusivity of all spectrums of society. That includes whites, blacks, Hispanic, Latinos, LGBT, the poor, homeless, elderly, infirm and disabled. In addition, the current pledge needs to incorporate more specific language that addresses the needs of marginalized communities like New Orlean's Ninth Ward. At least acknowledge that disasters like Katrina and the environmental racism that contributed to rebuilding delays and major preventative renovations on the levees does exist.
Secondly, no community should be priced out of the greening market.
This means ticket prices to global greening events should reflect that fact and lower priced tickets made available. On the day of the concert the cheapest ticket available at the box office was about $100.00. Live Earth event tickets ranged in price from $100.00 to $500.00.
Thirdly, there is no mention of the environmental hazards posed by homelessness and the need for education and research on how to include this population into the equation. There should be specific mention or a paragraph of the pledge dedicated to the plight of the homeless community.They, after all are a part of the environment. How can we improve it if they are sleeping out doors in the streets and in subterranean tunnels and communities which really exist below our city streets?
Fourthly, how we relate to our neighbors is important. We can't be sound environmentalists engaged in the process of fighting global warming and related environmental threats if we are still bogged down with racism, sexism, classism and other isms that divide us.
We must instill positive values and a healthy appreciation for our neighbors plight with a healthy appreciation for justice and fairness, if we are to be true environmentalists.
Finally, I'd like to reiterate something I wrote in a blog entitled Mayer and Raitt "Raising Another Kind of Green Consciousness", which speaks to the issue of our attitudes and how spending and thinking priorities have to be changed if we are really going to make this thing work. A relevant excerpt of that blog states:
"Well...I agree that cutting down on consumption may aid the cure for global warming if it can change people's spending and thinking priorities.For example,some people think it is in vogue to be wasteful. Afterall,their philosophy in life is usually,"if you got it, flaunt it and then throw it away"...even when it can be recycled into something that would serve a constructive purpose. Some people have the wasteful mentality because of their egos and the fact that they want to be numero uno,at whatever cost, and no matter what regardless of how it impacts the lives of others. Under those conditions can they really be sound environmentalists? I'd definitely give that some thought.
It's all about changing spending and "thinking" habits. Think about it.
If a person's desire to improve the environment is really motivated by a sincere desire to contribute meaningfully to the world and not just to sell more merchandise,then more power to them. If they are just out for the buck and notoriety...well, I would consider them to be contributing more to the self-serving and wasteful mentality that created the problem in the first place.
It's good to see John doing something constructive by way of an attempt to "change people's thinking" with his "Another Kind of Green/Light Green" idea. Positively influencing how people think is what really will make the difference on this and other significant global issues..."
My suggestions on how to incorporate inclusive and thought shifting greening approaches into the Pledge document by way of future workshops and other public communication tools will be set forth in tomorrow's final part of this blog series on the Live Earth Pledge.
This is a work in progress.To be continued...
Peace,
Cynthia(Revcoolc)
Related Blogs, Podcasts and Videos:
Alicia Keys Performing at Live Earth
The Live Earth Seven Point Pledge: A Panoramic View For Effective Environmental Action?- Part I(Revised 7.13.07)
Mayer and Raitt Raising Another Kind of Green Consciousness
Heavier Octaves Radio Podcast- "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks"- Week In Review- July 1-6,2007
Heavier Octaves Radio Podcast- "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks "-Reflection for the Day-"Speak Up"
Heavier Octaves Radio Podcast-"Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks"-Week in Review- 6/24-7.01.07
1 comment:
I love the way you make me think- even if the Vick's post- and they way you express yourself- I will keep on reading!
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