All the current political uproar is a form of necessary healing as the body politic fights off the right-wing infection. But isn't it essential for us to remember that it means very little to restore democracy if the cost is a dying planet? It's a multi-front war we are now engaged in. Thank you Ricky for continuing to remind us of the environmental battles we must continue to our energy into.
Thank you for this, Michael—your reminder that democracy without a livable planet is hollow cuts to the core. The fight on political fronts can’t distract us from the urgent, relentless battle climate demands. It’s all connected, and losing sight of the environmental struggle risks everything else. We must hold both truths in fierce balance.
Yes. Messing up our Goldilocks Zone. Why change the orbit of your planet when you can bump up a trace greenhouse gas level? How much to collapse civilization? How much to eliminate our species? Our propensity to kill one another and our possession of nukes are the ultimate force multipliers for climate change extinction.
Thanks Stan for cutting straight to the heart of the matter. We are indeed shoving Earth out of its delicate balance with one reckless move after another. The invisible weight of greenhouse gases might seem small, but it’s tipping the scales toward collapse faster than most dare to admit. And with humanity armed to the teeth, the stakes are terrifyingly clear — climate change is no longer just an environmental crisis; it’s a threat multiplier for extinction.
Excellent writing. As a companion piece to your commendable work, check out Peter Carter's dry recital of the overwhelming overshoot facts a couple of months ago on Youtube.
Overshoot was detected back in the 70s, the consequences of its being ignored warned about by a few resolute authors (Richard Falk, Charles C. Anderson, Barry Commoner, William Catton in the 80s, etc.), but most all of them had a touching faith in our electoral political system. They, of course, were naive.
Others today think something must be done by someone, but I have no idea what they are calling for. Speciation? Worldwide revolution from fossil fuel consumers?
Thanks for bringing those important voices into the conversation, Martin. The history of overshoot warnings shows how long we’ve known the stakes — and how little real political will has followed. The faith placed in electoral systems by early thinkers was hopeful but, as you say, misplaced. Today, the scale of the crisis demands far more than vague calls for change. What we need is clear, bold action rooted in systemic transformation — not wishful thinking. Without it, this reckoning will only deepen.
Thank you for this article. I'm a climate scientist, so I know the facts, but reading it all out together like this is very sobering. No, really it's terrifying, but I prefer not to dwell on the fear...
My son was just born and I often think about this new reality and world that I’ve brought him into. I struggle with thinking through ways of getting involved. Any suggestions for how I can become involved and apply my limited resources?
All the current political uproar is a form of necessary healing as the body politic fights off the right-wing infection. But isn't it essential for us to remember that it means very little to restore democracy if the cost is a dying planet? It's a multi-front war we are now engaged in. Thank you Ricky for continuing to remind us of the environmental battles we must continue to our energy into.
Thank you for this, Michael—your reminder that democracy without a livable planet is hollow cuts to the core. The fight on political fronts can’t distract us from the urgent, relentless battle climate demands. It’s all connected, and losing sight of the environmental struggle risks everything else. We must hold both truths in fierce balance.
Always wishing you the best,
Ricky
Yes. Messing up our Goldilocks Zone. Why change the orbit of your planet when you can bump up a trace greenhouse gas level? How much to collapse civilization? How much to eliminate our species? Our propensity to kill one another and our possession of nukes are the ultimate force multipliers for climate change extinction.
Thanks Stan for cutting straight to the heart of the matter. We are indeed shoving Earth out of its delicate balance with one reckless move after another. The invisible weight of greenhouse gases might seem small, but it’s tipping the scales toward collapse faster than most dare to admit. And with humanity armed to the teeth, the stakes are terrifyingly clear — climate change is no longer just an environmental crisis; it’s a threat multiplier for extinction.
Southern winds,
Ricky
Powerful writing, Ricky. Keep spreading the message.
Thank you for the encouragement, Michael! We all have a role in this reckoning.
Southern winds,
Ricky
Fascinating reading
Thanks you so much for your unconditional support, Karen!
Horrifying, is more like it.
Totally agree but we have to believe that change will happen!
Change will happen but not the kind you hope for.
Excellent writing. As a companion piece to your commendable work, check out Peter Carter's dry recital of the overwhelming overshoot facts a couple of months ago on Youtube.
Overshoot was detected back in the 70s, the consequences of its being ignored warned about by a few resolute authors (Richard Falk, Charles C. Anderson, Barry Commoner, William Catton in the 80s, etc.), but most all of them had a touching faith in our electoral political system. They, of course, were naive.
Others today think something must be done by someone, but I have no idea what they are calling for. Speciation? Worldwide revolution from fossil fuel consumers?
Thanks for bringing those important voices into the conversation, Martin. The history of overshoot warnings shows how long we’ve known the stakes — and how little real political will has followed. The faith placed in electoral systems by early thinkers was hopeful but, as you say, misplaced. Today, the scale of the crisis demands far more than vague calls for change. What we need is clear, bold action rooted in systemic transformation — not wishful thinking. Without it, this reckoning will only deepen.
Southern winds,
Ricky
Thank you for this article. I'm a climate scientist, so I know the facts, but reading it all out together like this is very sobering. No, really it's terrifying, but I prefer not to dwell on the fear...
Believe this and you will believe anything.
Yes it’s much easier to believe nothing can be done. That’s exactly what Big Oil wants. I am not falling for it.
Thanks Diane for having my back here and always!
My son was just born and I often think about this new reality and world that I’ve brought him into. I struggle with thinking through ways of getting involved. Any suggestions for how I can become involved and apply my limited resources?
Superb effort, Ricky. You hit every point with clarity. Reading it made me mad as hell, so, nicely done.