Plan B 4.0 - Preface and Chapter 1

"In recognizing the enormity of the challenge facing us: First we need to decide what needs to be done. Then we do it. And then we ask if it is possible." I love this quote by Paul Hawken in a commencement speech in 2009 (Brown 2009, p.XIV). It is exactly the method needed to be implemented to fight back against those responsible for climate change and the catastrophic damages that need to cease and reverse. Far too often we are trying to develop the perfect plan that we know will work in stopping and reversing climate change which wastes so much precious time and only leads to more disagreements and no action. We need to understand what needs to be done, do anything and everything that could help heal our planet, and then see which one actually works. We need to throw as many ideas as possible on to a wall and see which one sticks, instead of meticulously, cautiously, and sheepishly trying to find that golden answer to a question that may a involve a more trial and error approach. We have already wasted far too much time thinking about how we can save the environment instead of acting on it. Things need to be done now and the time of thinking, guessing, and second guessing needs to stop. We need action.

Photo provided by Florida Memory on Flickr April, 4th 1985

 "If we cannot get the brakes on population growth, we may not be able to eradicate hunger" (Brown 2009, p.4). Although I agree with this statement it does not go into enough detail in where the populations are growing: third world countries. For the part, all other countries are experiencing stagnant population growth or an actual decline. It is in countries where resources are scare and poverty prevalent where populations are increasing. To eradicate hunger there must be international programs set into place that educates cultures not accustomed to sex education and safe sex so that populations can begin to decline there but also set up fair food programs that benefit the people of these third world countries, not business interests and the International Monetary Fund. If fair and ethical non-profit international organization had the power and resources to make change in the hunger problem facing far too many people there would be vast changes within a year. Unfortunately, there are also too many people who have far too much power in deciding the fate of the poor and those effected by poverty. If we cannot pump the brakes on corrupt politics and greedy business interests, we may not be able to eradicate hunger.

Photo provided by World Bank Photo on Flickr April 13th 2015

"The Chinese firm ZTE International has secured rights to 2.8 million hectares (6.9 million acres) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on which to produce palm oil, which can be used either for cooking or to produce biodiesel fuel—indicating that the competition between food and fuel is also showing up in land acquisitions" (Brown 2009, p.11). Although I find this land acquisition disgusting, I do not know any other options for countries whom have incredibly large populations, the money to expand and buy resources, but are too late into the game to have large oil contracts like Europe and the U.S. in the Middle East. What is China suppose to do? Africa has been cruelly exploited since the Age of Discovery, when countries in Europe amassed unimaginable wealth and resources form brutalizing Africa. Now China is doing it and all of a sudden they are the problem. Not the UN for never stepping up to help Africa become a more stable region nor international organizations to help aid Africa or media news outlets to get the message out about how much help Africa truly needs. Its a shame, but without aid and support countries with like China will do what they think is necessary to help their nation survive atleast, thrive at most.

Photo provided by Dept. of Communities and local Government on Dec. 1st 2010

Brown, L. R., Brown, L. R., & Earth Policy Institute. (2009). Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to save   civilization. New York: W.W. Norton.