Post # 5: Whole Earth Discipline and Sustainable Energy

There's been a rather remarkable reversal of viewpoint during the past few years among many leaders of the environmental movement. Blueblood environmentalists such as Patrick Moore (co-founder of Greenpeace); Tim Flannery (author of the recent book, "The Weather Makers"); and Stewart Brand (founder of the Whole Earth Catalog and president of the Long Now Foundation) are among a growing number of leading environmentalists who have embraced nuclear energy as a major ingredient, if not the major ingredient, in the solution to a number of global challenges such as climate change, access to clean water, quality of life in developing countries, and yes - even war. There's even an organization now called "Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy" that boasts some 9800+ members from sixty countries ( http://www.ecolo.org/ ).

I recently ran across a compelling video seminar by Stewart Brand in which he discusses the key elements of his "Whole Earth Discipline" philosophy. The seminar ties together the issues of climate change, population growth, 3rd world development, energy, and genetically-engineered food, to weave a compelling and thought provoking message. Though I do not necessarily agree with all Brand's viewpoints, I do highly recommend this video seminar for holiday viewing. It can be found at the Perimeter Institute's web site:

http://www.q2cfestival.com/play.php?lecture_id=8030

Brand's message is clear: Solutions to global problems of the 22nd century will only be achieved via a marriage of scientific and technical rigor, systems-oriented thinking, and a spirit of stewardship and commitment to the welfare of our fellow man and the planet we inhabit together. Good thoughts for the Christmas season and the New Year...

Sherrell