Signs of the Times

Today I found myself reading about the "moral ethic of climate change" and the economics of climate change.  And discovered how easy it is to miss all that is happening among people of conscious.  Both topics were papers posted at http://www.theresourceinnovationgroup.org/sustainable-thinking-culture-c/.   In a time when we hear the phrase "job creation"as an essential element to rebuild and strengthen our economy, we need to realize that job creation needs to be linked to changing our way of being in the world.  One article "Jobs vs. Jobs"  provides a new equation of jobs and environment instead of jobs or environment.      A second paper mentioned the moral movement on climate change and here I discovered http://climateethicscampaign.org/.

In recent days here in the Seattle area we had a temperature inversion that keep the cloud layer low, made for foggy, gray days.  Sadly, the gray days got more attention than the increased ground level air pollution that was being trapped.  However, we heard about the dense air pollution in China, that because of the coal fired plants there, forced people to stay indoors and there were many respiratory health concerns expressed.  

I was thankful to hear that there will be further investigation regarding the shipping of coal from west coast ports and the impact of coal dust scattered along the railways.  But it is challenging to find a way to address environmental concerns that do not feel immediate, when people are looking for work.  We need to champion and invest where possible in transition plans which help create jobs that relate to a sustainable future.  This Jobs article really does begin to help me understand how to think about it. 

The Climate ethics website included a statement of ethical responsibility related to climate change.  It is not just about saving our natural world, but about saving all living creation and it does mean that we have responsibility for our neighbors around the globe.  These are all things I knew, but realized that it feels good to know others also see this and have found language to say what I hold in my heart. 

Blessings on all who work for a just and sustainable world!