Recipe for global change - Theosophy.Net2024-03-28T17:59:38Zhttps://theosophy.net/forum/topics/recipe-for-global-change?commentId=3055387%3AComment%3A79154&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noCapt. Anand: These are many q…tag:theosophy.net,2011-09-16:3055387:Comment:791542011-09-16T11:41:41.171ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p>Capt. Anand: These are many questions and these all need considerable time to explore. Ideally, some group would take this up and do research on the state of affairs and possible solutions/approaches in our current time-frame. Begin of October I plan to attend a seminar on a sustainable world. Hope that gives some new material to work on.</p>
<p>I currently have not much time to start a new group, I am already busy with a couple of projects: developing a systems view of process theosophy and…</p>
<p>Capt. Anand: These are many questions and these all need considerable time to explore. Ideally, some group would take this up and do research on the state of affairs and possible solutions/approaches in our current time-frame. Begin of October I plan to attend a seminar on a sustainable world. Hope that gives some new material to work on.</p>
<p>I currently have not much time to start a new group, I am already busy with a couple of projects: developing a systems view of process theosophy and also contemplating the need for our Wiki to be more theme-based, not unlike Andrew Wilson's project on World scripture. We have an archive of many high quality books that can be used for that purpose. But we need people to work on these projects (it's a really large project). Ideally, others would start this group on a sustainable world, and I might participate on a loose basis.</p>
<p>Many people are now starting to think about these things, since it is becoming ever more urgent. Transition Town initiatives are an example. Every one of us could participate in that. Every serious theosopher should undertake or participate in at least one project!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A brief reply to some of your questions. The planet can sustain many billions of people, provided that we take it easy on consumption, recycle everything (waste equals food, as per Natural Step and similar movements now taking off).</p>
<p>Meat consumption should go down - a heavy tax should be imposed on it because it wastes billions of gallons of fresh water. Everybody should be aware of the shortage of fresh water. It will become disastrous within decades. One billion people is malnourished already. It is not only a matter of better distributing food, but safeguarding water supply.</p>
<p>As to housing: in China, they are building houses now that are energy neutral. They store heat in the ground, and can use that in wintertime. This is modern architecture and technology.</p>
<p>Solar energy technology is heavily being researched. The economic break-even point for it has been almost reached, I think. Bad luck that the financial crisis reduces investment in research. Much more seems possible with it than has been realized until now.</p>
<p>sustainable consumption vs development are clearly two sides of the same coin.</p>
<p>A sustainable strategy has already been formulated by Robert, in The Natural Step framework, and, more recently, by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mcdonough.com/writings_new_perspectives.htm">William McDonough & Michael Braungart</a> and others (Waste is food; cradle to cradle principle). This framework is based on scientific principles (Thermodynamics). It's very simple to understand.</p>
<p>I will scan the page with the four "system conditions" that have a scientific consensus and put it online. It can also be found through the links I have provided. Some organizations are already working with this framework, more in Europe than in the USA.</p>
<p>Our own network can study these matters and participate with other organizations, like Transition Town network, to spread the word. If members are interested in studying these matters collectively, they can send a message to board members, or express this interest on this forum. The board could decide to create a new group for that.</p>
<p>In the mean time, I have scanned the page and it is attached here:</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2962627705?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2962627705?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p> </p> Martin, you are doing some ex…tag:theosophy.net,2011-09-16:3055387:Comment:789582011-09-16T01:42:19.085ZCapt. Anand Kumarhttps://theosophy.net/profile/CaptAnandKumar
<p>Martin, you are doing some exceptional service to all of us by providing us reources to educate oursleves on the most challenging problems confronting the humanity. However, I would request you to kindly elaborate your own viewpoints on some of the doubts I have in my own mind:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Can planet earth sustain 7 billion plus people? Even if we take for example, the Sandbag shelter of Khalili, one ton of sandbag for every 7 people, still one billion tons of sand will need to be…</p>
<p>Martin, you are doing some exceptional service to all of us by providing us reources to educate oursleves on the most challenging problems confronting the humanity. However, I would request you to kindly elaborate your own viewpoints on some of the doubts I have in my own mind:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Can planet earth sustain 7 billion plus people? Even if we take for example, the Sandbag shelter of Khalili, one ton of sandbag for every 7 people, still one billion tons of sand will need to be relocated from the crest of the earth to build these shelters. What will be environmental and geological impact of such sustainability, as the relocation itself would require consumption of virtually incalculable amount of energy?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Voluntary efforts to limit the population has not worked. What can be done to reduce the population to, let us say to a billion people. In terms of consumption of energy, is there any study anywhere which gives a model for what level of consumption of energy will sustain for ever?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. The so called new technologies and modern processes that are being thrown at us as alternatives, are they really so? For example it takes twice as much energy to build a solar cell than the energy it would produce in 10 years in a zone of moderate insolence (a value of 5 or thereabouts, unlike California or Arizona or Saudi Arabia with a value close to 7).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3. Until the people in Developed world change their own lifestyle and consumption pattern, can we stop people in developing countries to aspire to achieve that lifestyle and therefore put perhaps unbearble strain on sustainability.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. What is more relevant to the developing world? Sustainable Development or Sustainable Consumption?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. What role Theosophy or any other thought system can play in formulating a sustainable strategy? What role our own network can play?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since each of the answers will perhaps be longish, would you consider starting a group study on either Sustainable Development or Sustainable Cosumption, whichever appears appropriate to you.</p> #20: The Natural Step framewo…tag:theosophy.net,2011-09-15:3055387:Comment:789512011-09-15T13:35:00.459ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p>#20: <a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa" target="_blank">The Natural Step</a> framework is the foundation for many <a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/our-approach">sustainability programs</a> in the <a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/our-story">United States</a> and around the world. Its science-based process "has been tested and proven by forward thinking organizations for nearly two decades. See …</p>
<p>#20: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa">The Natural Step</a> framework is the foundation for many <a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/our-approach">sustainability programs</a> in the <a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/our-story">United States</a> and around the world. Its science-based process "has been tested and proven by forward thinking organizations for nearly two decades. See <a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/solutions-business">Solutions for Business</a>, <u><a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/solutions-communities">Solutions for Communities</a></u>, <a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/case-studies">Case Studies</a>."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>See also <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Natural_Step">Wikipedia</a>. </p> #19: Houses for the homeless:…tag:theosophy.net,2011-08-09:3055387:Comment:739162011-08-09T10:14:26.629ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p>#19: Houses for the homeless: <a href="http://calearth.org/">http://calearth.org/</a>, based on local materials, earth, clay, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"The California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture is a 501 (C)3 non-profit/charitable foundation at the cutting edge of Earth and Ceramic Architecture technologies today. Founded in 1986 by its director, <a href="http://calearth.org/about/about-nader-khalili.html">Nader Khalili</a> (1936-2008), its scope spans technical innovations published…</p>
<p>#19: Houses for the homeless: <a href="http://calearth.org/">http://calearth.org/</a>, based on local materials, earth, clay, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"The California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture is a 501 (C)3 non-profit/charitable foundation at the cutting edge of Earth and Ceramic Architecture technologies today. Founded in 1986 by its director, <a href="http://calearth.org/about/about-nader-khalili.html">Nader Khalili</a> (1936-2008), its scope spans technical innovations published by NASA for lunar and Martian construction, to housing design and development for the world's homeless for the United Nations.</p>
<p>Continuing in his tradition, Khalili's associates and apprentices are dedicated to research and education of the public in environmentally oriented arts and architecture. Its philosophy is based on the equilibrium of the natural elements of earth, water, air, fire, and their Unity at the service of the arts and humanity.</p>
<p>Cal-Earth's mission is guided by three principles: (1) shelter is a basic human right, (2) every human being should be able to build a house for him or herself, and (3) the best way to provide shelter for the exponentially increasing human population is by building with earth."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Architect and author <a href="http://calearth.org/about/about-nader-khalili.html">Nader Khalili</a> developed the simple breakthrough building technologies known as <a href="http://calearth.org/building-designs/what-is-superadobe.html">Superadobe</a> (sandbags and barbed wire) and Ceramic Houses, with the freely available material of earth, for almost thirty years. Inspired by the poetry of the 12th century mystic <a href="http://calearth.org/about/rumi.html">Rumi</a>, who wrote in his native Persian language, Khalili served as a consultant to the U.N. (UNIDO) and a contributor to NASA, as well as directing the Architectural Research Program (ARP) at SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture).</p>
<p>For his work in Earth and Ceramic Architecture since 1975, he received awards from organizations such as the CCAIA for "Excellence in Technology," the U.N. and HUD for "Shelter for the Homeless," the ASCE (Aerospace Division) for his work in lunar base building technology, and most recently the <a href="http://www.akdn.org/akaa_award9_awards_detail3.asp" target="_blank">Aga Khan award for architecture for "Sandbag Shelter Prototypes"</a>.</p>
<p>Through his work, Nader Khalili has inspired a global movement and left a rich body of philosophy, design and innovative construction technology. His work is continued at Cal-Earth Institute, as the basis for its research and educational mission."</p>
<p> </p> #18: develop social apps for…tag:theosophy.net,2011-07-31:3055387:Comment:727102011-07-31T22:32:11.813ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
#18: develop social apps for the smartphone and Facebook. From neighbourhood help to single people eating together to exchanging services on a global scale, e.g. like Ithaca hours not for money but expressed in another value like time-units. The latter seems appropriate for facebook friends and friends of friends, and for local purposes too. A great way to have a more humane economy, not dominated by greed but service to others and meeting one's own needs as well. All it needs is a couple of…
#18: develop social apps for the smartphone and Facebook. From neighbourhood help to single people eating together to exchanging services on a global scale, e.g. like Ithaca hours not for money but expressed in another value like time-units. The latter seems appropriate for facebook friends and friends of friends, and for local purposes too. A great way to have a more humane economy, not dominated by greed but service to others and meeting one's own needs as well. All it needs is a couple of good programmers and some mouth to mouth advertising and viral marketing. #17: Food Matters : a natural…tag:theosophy.net,2011-07-24:3055387:Comment:714392011-07-24T22:05:43.514ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p>#17: <a href="http://foodmatters.tv/" target="_blank">Food Matters</a> : a natural approach to preventing and healing diseases.</p>
<p>Food for thought..food as medicine. Likely THE big innovation of the future as to sustainable health-care systems.</p>
<p>#17: <a href="http://foodmatters.tv/" target="_blank">Food Matters</a> : a natural approach to preventing and healing diseases.</p>
<p>Food for thought..food as medicine. Likely THE big innovation of the future as to sustainable health-care systems.</p> #16: have a look at the tran…tag:theosophy.net,2011-07-24:3055387:Comment:714382011-07-24T22:03:34.026ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p>#16: have a look at the <a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/" target="_blank">transition towns</a> network.</p>
<h3>"Transition Network supports community-led responses to climate change and shrinking supplies of cheap energy, building resilience and happiness."</h3>
<p>Resources and transition primer: <a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/support" target="_blank">here</a></p>
<p>#16: have a look at the <a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/" target="_blank">transition towns</a> network.</p>
<h3>"Transition Network supports community-led responses to climate change and shrinking supplies of cheap energy, building resilience and happiness."</h3>
<p>Resources and transition primer: <a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/support" target="_blank">here</a></p> #15: have a look at the month…tag:theosophy.net,2011-06-09:3055387:Comment:555302011-06-09T12:25:23.023ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p>#15: have a look at the <a href="http://theosnet.ning.com/events/the-great-integral-awakening" target="_self">monthly teleseminars</a> at the great integral awakening.</p>
<p>"Each month, we’ll gather together online and by conference call to explore how the spiritual path needs to evolve to meet the needs of humanity in the 21st century.<br></br><br></br>Each event will explore this question from a unique angle. We’ll look at how the discovery of evolution is giving birth to an entirely new…</p>
<p>#15: have a look at the <a href="http://theosnet.ning.com/events/the-great-integral-awakening" target="_self">monthly teleseminars</a> at the great integral awakening.</p>
<p>"Each month, we’ll gather together online and by conference call to explore how the spiritual path needs to evolve to meet the needs of humanity in the 21st century.<br/><br/>Each event will explore this question from a unique angle. We’ll look at how the discovery of evolution is giving birth to an entirely new spiritual impulse—as well as a new framework for engaging in spiritual practice. We’ll ask how the great traditions of the past can be brought up to date and kept relevant to a rapidly changing, increasingly complex world.</p>
<p>We’ll explore some of the new, more integral forms that spirituality is taking, from the emergence of new paths of self-inquiry to the birth of collective enlightenment. And we’ll think together about the vital role each of us can now play in creating a more enlightened future for humanity."</p>
<p>Free lectures for download available.</p> LETS = Local Exchange Trading…tag:theosophy.net,2011-06-09:3055387:Comment:555272011-06-09T11:57:00.756ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><font color="#3333FF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5">LETS = Local Exchange Trading Systems</font><a href="http://www.lets-linkup.com/080-All%20About%20LETS.htm"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><br></br></font></a> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">LETS ... is a group of people from a small community who all agree to exchange…</font></font></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><font color="#3333FF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5">LETS = Local Exchange Trading Systems</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><a href="http://www.lets-linkup.com/080-All%20About%20LETS.htm"><br/></a></font> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">LETS ... is a group of people from a small community who all agree to exchange goods and services with each other without the need for cash.</font></font></font></p>
<p>Website for LETS organizations worldwide: <a href="http://www.lets-linkup.com/" target="_blank">http://www.lets-linkup.com/</a></p>
<p>USA: <a href="http://www.lets-linkup.com/71-USA.htm" target="_blank">http://www.lets-linkup.com/71-USA.htm</a></p>
<p><br/> <br/>
<cite>Martin Euser said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://theosnet.ning.com/forum/topics/recipe-for-global-change?id=3055387%3ATopic%3A40686&page=1#3055387Comment41524"><div><p>Recipe #5: Become involved in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Food" target="_blank">Slow Food</a> (organization <a href="http://www.slowfood.com/" target="_blank">website</a>), buy Fair Trade products, and participate in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LETS" target="_blank">LETSystems</a> to promote local currencies and local trade. Become a conscious citizen. Inform yourself of these movements and associated practices.</p>
</div>
</blockquote> #14: explore and join the em…tag:theosophy.net,2011-05-25:3055387:Comment:516182011-05-25T21:18:13.166ZMartin Euserhttps://theosophy.net/profile/MartinEuser
<p>#14: explore and join the emerging <a href="http://www.newspirituality.org/message.php" target="_blank">new spirituality</a> networks and foundations. Contribute to the networking and expansion of these movements. Why reinvent the wheel? Combined forces makes for great strength and influence.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5363/t/2163/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1253" target="_blank">Humanity's team</a> is a link I found through the above network.</p>
<p>#14: explore and join the emerging <a href="http://www.newspirituality.org/message.php" target="_blank">new spirituality</a> networks and foundations. Contribute to the networking and expansion of these movements. Why reinvent the wheel? Combined forces makes for great strength and influence.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5363/t/2163/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1253" target="_blank">Humanity's team</a> is a link I found through the above network.</p>