We Are Writing the Epilogue to the World We Knew

[polly7]

Published on Friday, August 31, 2012 by Common Dreams

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/08/31

We Are Writing the Epilogue to the World We Knew

by John Atcheson

The data continue to roll in, and they are telling us we are in the process of bringing an end to the world we evolved in, and creating a new, harsher world. We will be forced to devote more and more of our resources trying to adapt to this new world, and less on development.

While politicians fiddle, the world burns. While the press plays he-said, she-said, the ice melts, the seas rise.

In 1990 we could have averted this disaster and saved money doing it. As late as 2010 we still had a shot at avoiding it. But now, the die is cast, the future foretold. What follows will be an epilogue to civilization, as we knew it.

Now, as we’re closing the book on civilization as we know it, yes, let’s talk about how we can increase the production and use fossil fuels; let’s serve up divisiveness, hate and fear at a time when unity and courage are needed; let’s get guns into the hands of every possible frightened and hate-filled person so we can up the ante on the chaos to come; let’s talk about gutting government – the only force capable of mounting a coherent response to this unfolding tragedy.

This seems to be the truth no matter where I look anymore. It's like we really have given up and all that's left is to fight for the scraps.

[avebury]

1. K&R nt

[pscot]

2. The saddest thing is

it didn't have to be this way. We've been aware of this developing catastrophe for at least 50 years. We're taking the planet down by choice, and our civilization along with it.