When is enough … enough?

Posted by  GeoffBrown —April 7, 2010
Filed in Just observations, Sustainability

I am frustrated with my apathy … and the apathy of those around me in relation to the big challenges of our time. Climate change, social justice and inequality are just a few.

As we go about our normal lives, the Chinese tanker Shen Neng is grounded on a reef 40 kilometres to the  Northeast of Heron Island. We are talking about oil impacting one of the most pristine coral reefs on the planet. The Shen Neng, ironically, is carrying hundreds of tonnes of coal – bound for ‘whatever’ in China to fuel our insatiable appetite for ‘stuff’!

r543448_3169505 Image Source

Too often in life I/we/you play-it-too-safe. We fear criticism for being disruptive – Viv writes about being disruptive as a facilitator here and here.

Protest is, in part, about being disruptive and taking a stand against something that is wrong. You have to put yourself and your values on the line – criticism & cynicism will follow.

My friend Chris Corrigan is following the unfolding drama on the Douglas Reef with interest. He sent me an email in which he wrote from his own perspective in Canada …

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The issue of oil tankers plying our pristine coast is very alive right now in the media and several First Nations who I worked with last fall have released a strong statement about tankers travelling through their ancestral marine territories.
http://coastalfirstnations.ca/News_Releases/news03231001.aspx
That declaration by those Nations puts a major tar sands pipeline at risk, which is a good thing.

“The issue of oil tankers plying our pristine coast is very alive right now in the media and several First Nations who I worked with last fall have released a strong statement about tankers travelling through their ancestral marine territories.

http://coastalfirstnations.ca/News_Releases/news03231001.aspx

That declaration by those Nations puts a major tar sands pipeline at risk, which is a good thing.”

As I sit here, typing away, I am passionate about playing a part in ‘saving this planet’ for everyone and everything … I want my kids to enjoy the pristine southern ocean when they get to ‘almost’ 40 years old.

And here’s the bit that rubs … I do more than most, but it ain’t enough anymore. It’s time to get more disruptive and stop playing it safe.

Geoff

Comments

  1. Viv McWaters says:

    Well said, Geoff. You’d probably like this post too – it’s in a similar vein, although the topic is humanitarian aid http://talesfromethehood.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/being-thankful-is-not-enough/

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