Water wars are coming. Food wars will follow. It doesn't help that all the world leaders and celebrities use private jets and cruise ships are horrific. This doesn't end well for anyone๐ซ
Living in NYS, I'm not feeling the immediate worst effects profoundly, although I see and feel the difference in weather, seasons and increased warmth. It is stunningly different from 30 years ago. I'm extremely lucky by sheer chance compared to the people I just wrote about. That's why I owe it to them to call this shit show out. Regardless, you're right. This situation won't spare anyone. Economic collapse doesn't care about relatively benevolent weather. Money will help some for a while, then it won't matter at all.
Pretty much. They've been arresting climate scientists for trying to save us. That's when I realized we were well and truly fucked๐ข The ruling class doesn't care. They think their money will save them. They haven't figured out that they can't eat it.
The hypocrisy is what really kills me. The G20 countries subsidized the oil/gas industry by 1 trillion dollars last year. Green energy is a myth. Ain't nothing green about children mining Lithium and cobalt or the manufacturing of solar panels etc. We can't mine, drill, manufacture, and consume ourselves out of the mess we mined, drilled, manufactured, and consumed ourselves into.
Agreed 100 percent. Green energy is indeed a myth. Aside from the profound environmental harm, all of that mining and manufacturing depends on fossil fuels, which are approaching the end of economic viability. And you can't smelt steel or produce concrete with electricity. Using whatever renewables we manage to create, to produce such things, is self-defeating stupidity. Let's just set the laws of physics aside, it will be fine.
I will always remember when I first heard that song. It was long after Gil penned it, about 1986. I was just getting my start in adult life, ironically and mistakenly a job as a graphic designer for a large (for upstate NY) ad agency. My new friend, Joe, played it, and I was blown away. It's a significant work that reaches deep.
It's a small world. My adult life began in 1984 and I am also from upstate NY. Raised in Jamestown (WNY), college in Rochester and briefly worked for IBM in Poughkeepsie. I heard the song many years later.
I wonder if The Revolution Won't Be Televised is obscure to many of my readers? It was certainly about as "counter" culture as it gets when it came out.
I first heard this song in 1971 on the radio while working in a photo darkroom. It knocked me out immediately and introduced me to GSH. As prescient today as then, except the song is so dense with cultural references I wonder how many still play with younger audiences.
The cultural references are far too old for younger people, I'm afraid. Bullwinkle and Natalie Wood? Hmm. My audience seems to be middle age to older, would love to break through with a younger audience as well, maybe some stories on young activists. Can't keep up with all the things I want to write, but that's a good problem, uh, I guess.
So, so true. But planned degrowth needs the agreement of the poticial elected, and they are star struck and enthralled by the billionaires, so it's not going to happen.
I really think the only way out of this ... for those who are able (and I recognise many are not as your piece so heartbreakingly describes) ... is to break away from the system and enact degrowth at the radically local level. By this I mean degrowth and fast action to prepare for whatever threat looms on your community's horizon with the tens or perhaps hundreds of people who live nearest to you.
I agree, it's not going to happen. It's not even part of public discussion, and needed to be 10 or 20 years ago. Enacting it at a local level is smart and the best chance for at least some to come out of this as survivors.
Yeah, we don't have enough time to deconstruct this capitalist hellscape the fascists have wrought. Capitalism is inherently fascist because fascists imagined it into being. It primarily harms POC, women, LGBTQ people, disabled people,poor white people, and children. It benefits primarily wealthy white men.
Agreed, others are doing that quite well. I will have to touch on Trump and Project 2025 soon though as the election approaches because that would gut the EPA and turn Big Oil even looser as well as finish our Democracy.
First, I've been trying to explain for decades about the "whitey" bit you write about and it's actually about class warfare to no avail. It's been a transfer of wealth upwards and increasing poverty as age goes down. People over 70 now have the majority of wealth in the country and the rest are floundering and swamped in debt. It's never been about racism but for some reason if anyone says anything about that they are called a racist. It's the same technique being used with Israel and antisemitism. It's the new government program to make everyone equal regardless of color.
Second
NPR had a program on the Rio grande drying up in Texas and the interview was with a tour guide operator who had been conducting river boat tours and tragically had to change his business model to hiking and nature tours because the river was dry. They then accused Mexico of causing the problem since a treaty required them to release water into the river and they were not doing it. The water crisis in Mexico was never mentioned. National Propaganda Radio. NPR has become as fascist as the AM stations that I occasionally listen to for a laugh.
Lastly
Revolt is inevitable. It's only a question of when and who initiates it. It could easily be in the next election as Project 2025 proposes whether Trump is elected or not. If we accept the fact that the government is run by oligarchs and there is no difference between the two parties, regardless of what the outcome is of the election the stage is being set for a revolt. If Trump wins Project 2025 is enacted. If he loses election fraud is the spark to set the country aflame. The ones who possess and cherish guns are all on the right side of the aisle and united. Jan. 6 was a practice run. If that doesn't happen it will take a few years for climate change to cause a revolt but it will be disorganized and occur in different parts of the country, ie grid failure from ac usage, water shortages, floods, tornadoes etc. The police state is here now. Martial law coming soon. FEMA encampments (already planned out from 9/11) for all?
Thanks again for a great article. I truly wish I could support you.
Thank you for the praise. Yes, race is an always convenient distraction from the truth. Being white, I feel perfectly comfortable using the term whitey, which undoubtably infuriates white racists. Older people do hold most of the wealth (myself an abject exception on that count, lol), which is why I have called for readers to move their money out of fossil fuel sponsoring banks and investments. That could have a real effect.
I used to listen to NPR, it used to be my home page. I'm not sure of how lame it has become, since I stopped paying attention three years ago. The only thing that held my attention up to that time was the content of the local affiliate, which was superior.
The path we are on is one of collapse. Project 2025 is as dystopian as it gets, and Trump is the perfect figurehead to make it possible. Should that come to pass, life in America will quickly become not worth living. Should Biden prevail, we are still on a downward spiral. Yes, water and agriculture determine our state of unrest in that scenario, and cops these days are here to Protect and Serve. The power structure, that is. Cop City in Atlanta is prime evidence. I also have a neighbor that seems to be away on an inordinate amount of National Guard training. Hmm. I appreciate your reading and commenting.
Thank you Geoff! I am the 70 year old reader who does not meet the wealthy standards, but has a solid middle class lifestyle with all creature comforts met on a daily basis. I agree with your conclusion that the divide is all about socio-economic not political differences. Like disease, climate change happens to everyone so wealth does not make one immune from the natural disasters. Simplicity and degrowth are pillars that clash with technology and the economic agenda. What I continue to struggle with how do we get on this path. How fast can a grass roots actions which we can all take Make a difference? To build upon Margi's idea, I am fascinated with Tiny Homes and communities as one possible means to explore.
Well, since you live in Ohio, you could start by chucking rocks at Jim Jordan for me! Grassroots are important. You probably have local organizations you could look into working on important local issues. I'm a big fan of buying nothing I don't absolutely need, which isn't much outside of food. I eat less and less meat, no beef at all, the number one global warming contributor in agriculture, as well as massive contributor to deforestation. Our money counts, where we keep it counts. Banks that sponsor fossil fuel projects need to be brought to heel. Moving your money and getting friends to do the same could have a big impact, but that involves conversations and a bit of courage. Educating people takes time, it can't happen in one conversation and some people are unreachable, so don't waste your time. We need protests as well. That's not for everyone, but a critical element in demanding policy change. Oh, and heat pumps are a good thing if your furnace is tired.
I should probably devote an article to your question, and appreciate it. I think most of us feel a degree of helplessness in this situation. Can I send you a box of rocks?
Water wars are coming. Food wars will follow. It doesn't help that all the world leaders and celebrities use private jets and cruise ships are horrific. This doesn't end well for anyone๐ซ
Living in NYS, I'm not feeling the immediate worst effects profoundly, although I see and feel the difference in weather, seasons and increased warmth. It is stunningly different from 30 years ago. I'm extremely lucky by sheer chance compared to the people I just wrote about. That's why I owe it to them to call this shit show out. Regardless, you're right. This situation won't spare anyone. Economic collapse doesn't care about relatively benevolent weather. Money will help some for a while, then it won't matter at all.
Thank you for calling it out๐ซ Very few people are.
Pretty much. They've been arresting climate scientists for trying to save us. That's when I realized we were well and truly fucked๐ข The ruling class doesn't care. They think their money will save them. They haven't figured out that they can't eat it.
The arrests of climate scientists in Europe are part of what got me writing. What's happening speaks to ignorance and evil at all levels.
The hypocrisy is what really kills me. The G20 countries subsidized the oil/gas industry by 1 trillion dollars last year. Green energy is a myth. Ain't nothing green about children mining Lithium and cobalt or the manufacturing of solar panels etc. We can't mine, drill, manufacture, and consume ourselves out of the mess we mined, drilled, manufactured, and consumed ourselves into.
Agreed 100 percent. Green energy is indeed a myth. Aside from the profound environmental harm, all of that mining and manufacturing depends on fossil fuels, which are approaching the end of economic viability. And you can't smelt steel or produce concrete with electricity. Using whatever renewables we manage to create, to produce such things, is self-defeating stupidity. Let's just set the laws of physics aside, it will be fine.
Yep๐
"The revolution will not be televised" is such a great statement. I love that song.
I will always remember when I first heard that song. It was long after Gil penned it, about 1986. I was just getting my start in adult life, ironically and mistakenly a job as a graphic designer for a large (for upstate NY) ad agency. My new friend, Joe, played it, and I was blown away. It's a significant work that reaches deep.
It's a small world. My adult life began in 1984 and I am also from upstate NY. Raised in Jamestown (WNY), college in Rochester and briefly worked for IBM in Poughkeepsie. I heard the song many years later.
I wonder if The Revolution Won't Be Televised is obscure to many of my readers? It was certainly about as "counter" culture as it gets when it came out.
Brilliant song. Great and sad memories too. Thanks for this brilliant essay, Geoffrey.
I appreciate the encouragement. Thank you, John.
I first heard this song in 1971 on the radio while working in a photo darkroom. It knocked me out immediately and introduced me to GSH. As prescient today as then, except the song is so dense with cultural references I wonder how many still play with younger audiences.
The cultural references are far too old for younger people, I'm afraid. Bullwinkle and Natalie Wood? Hmm. My audience seems to be middle age to older, would love to break through with a younger audience as well, maybe some stories on young activists. Can't keep up with all the things I want to write, but that's a good problem, uh, I guess.
Another really excellent article. Thanks for your work.
Grazie. I appreciate your work, too.
So, so true. But planned degrowth needs the agreement of the poticial elected, and they are star struck and enthralled by the billionaires, so it's not going to happen.
I really think the only way out of this ... for those who are able (and I recognise many are not as your piece so heartbreakingly describes) ... is to break away from the system and enact degrowth at the radically local level. By this I mean degrowth and fast action to prepare for whatever threat looms on your community's horizon with the tens or perhaps hundreds of people who live nearest to you.
I agree, it's not going to happen. It's not even part of public discussion, and needed to be 10 or 20 years ago. Enacting it at a local level is smart and the best chance for at least some to come out of this as survivors.
Yeah, we don't have enough time to deconstruct this capitalist hellscape the fascists have wrought. Capitalism is inherently fascist because fascists imagined it into being. It primarily harms POC, women, LGBTQ people, disabled people,poor white people, and children. It benefits primarily wealthy white men.
Exactly!
Yes, please-enough to cover JD Vance and other Trumpers.
Agreed, others are doing that quite well. I will have to touch on Trump and Project 2025 soon though as the election approaches because that would gut the EPA and turn Big Oil even looser as well as finish our Democracy.
You deserve a Pulitzer for this essay.
First, I've been trying to explain for decades about the "whitey" bit you write about and it's actually about class warfare to no avail. It's been a transfer of wealth upwards and increasing poverty as age goes down. People over 70 now have the majority of wealth in the country and the rest are floundering and swamped in debt. It's never been about racism but for some reason if anyone says anything about that they are called a racist. It's the same technique being used with Israel and antisemitism. It's the new government program to make everyone equal regardless of color.
Second
NPR had a program on the Rio grande drying up in Texas and the interview was with a tour guide operator who had been conducting river boat tours and tragically had to change his business model to hiking and nature tours because the river was dry. They then accused Mexico of causing the problem since a treaty required them to release water into the river and they were not doing it. The water crisis in Mexico was never mentioned. National Propaganda Radio. NPR has become as fascist as the AM stations that I occasionally listen to for a laugh.
Lastly
Revolt is inevitable. It's only a question of when and who initiates it. It could easily be in the next election as Project 2025 proposes whether Trump is elected or not. If we accept the fact that the government is run by oligarchs and there is no difference between the two parties, regardless of what the outcome is of the election the stage is being set for a revolt. If Trump wins Project 2025 is enacted. If he loses election fraud is the spark to set the country aflame. The ones who possess and cherish guns are all on the right side of the aisle and united. Jan. 6 was a practice run. If that doesn't happen it will take a few years for climate change to cause a revolt but it will be disorganized and occur in different parts of the country, ie grid failure from ac usage, water shortages, floods, tornadoes etc. The police state is here now. Martial law coming soon. FEMA encampments (already planned out from 9/11) for all?
Thanks again for a great article. I truly wish I could support you.
Thank you for the praise. Yes, race is an always convenient distraction from the truth. Being white, I feel perfectly comfortable using the term whitey, which undoubtably infuriates white racists. Older people do hold most of the wealth (myself an abject exception on that count, lol), which is why I have called for readers to move their money out of fossil fuel sponsoring banks and investments. That could have a real effect.
I used to listen to NPR, it used to be my home page. I'm not sure of how lame it has become, since I stopped paying attention three years ago. The only thing that held my attention up to that time was the content of the local affiliate, which was superior.
The path we are on is one of collapse. Project 2025 is as dystopian as it gets, and Trump is the perfect figurehead to make it possible. Should that come to pass, life in America will quickly become not worth living. Should Biden prevail, we are still on a downward spiral. Yes, water and agriculture determine our state of unrest in that scenario, and cops these days are here to Protect and Serve. The power structure, that is. Cop City in Atlanta is prime evidence. I also have a neighbor that seems to be away on an inordinate amount of National Guard training. Hmm. I appreciate your reading and commenting.
Thank you Geoff! I am the 70 year old reader who does not meet the wealthy standards, but has a solid middle class lifestyle with all creature comforts met on a daily basis. I agree with your conclusion that the divide is all about socio-economic not political differences. Like disease, climate change happens to everyone so wealth does not make one immune from the natural disasters. Simplicity and degrowth are pillars that clash with technology and the economic agenda. What I continue to struggle with how do we get on this path. How fast can a grass roots actions which we can all take Make a difference? To build upon Margi's idea, I am fascinated with Tiny Homes and communities as one possible means to explore.
Sorry for all the typos!
Well, since you live in Ohio, you could start by chucking rocks at Jim Jordan for me! Grassroots are important. You probably have local organizations you could look into working on important local issues. I'm a big fan of buying nothing I don't absolutely need, which isn't much outside of food. I eat less and less meat, no beef at all, the number one global warming contributor in agriculture, as well as massive contributor to deforestation. Our money counts, where we keep it counts. Banks that sponsor fossil fuel projects need to be brought to heel. Moving your money and getting friends to do the same could have a big impact, but that involves conversations and a bit of courage. Educating people takes time, it can't happen in one conversation and some people are unreachable, so don't waste your time. We need protests as well. That's not for everyone, but a critical element in demanding policy change. Oh, and heat pumps are a good thing if your furnace is tired.
Fossil fuel bank list: https://www.fossilbanks.org/fossil-banks
Thanks for all of the suggestions.
I should probably devote an article to your question, and appreciate it. I think most of us feel a degree of helplessness in this situation. Can I send you a box of rocks?