The Washington Post reports, By 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans, study says
We have to start seeing this massive pollution as theft from the commons. And we have to find a way to include clean up in the cost of producing and using every single thing that is produced. I propose we need a new federal agency
The Lakota Sioux have the phrase Mità ¡kuye Oyà ¡s'iÃ..."¹-- meaning "all my relations." They use it to describe the need to consider all the ways we are connected to all. "It is a prayer of oneness and harmony with all forms of life: other people, animals, birds, insects, trees and plants, and even rocks, rivers, mountains and valleys," Wikipedia reports.
Another Native American concept is considering the effects upon seven generations before making a decision. We need to do that, economically, when assessing all products, services and actions, including construction.
In my work exploring the dimensions of Bottom-up, I came up with the idea, of connection consciousness. I believe this concept reflects both ideas. Here's an excerpt from my book in progress describing it in more detail:
"Connection consciousness is an awareness, knowledge and reflexive way of responding based upon the many and deep connections we have to each other, to our communities, our ecosystems and the earth. Connection consciousness produces a cultural, spiritual and personal collection of ethics and values which lead you to treat others well, treat the environment well because they are a part of your self. It makes for kinder, more open, more loving and caring, empathic people. Connection consciousness is usually part of the self-image of indigenous people."
Perhaps a Mità ¡kuye Oyà ¡s'iÃ..."¹ Seven Generations federal agency would be a good idea-- to insure that Mità ¡kuye Oyà ¡s'iÃ..."¹, seven generations and connection consciousness considerations of costs be applied to all business and civic enterprises. I can imagine the opposition-- -- would be their message, at least the message they'd be sending. It's the message that current policies all send. We need to change that. Can you imagine how the Koch brothers and the US Chamber of Commerce and transnational corporations taking advantage of the TPP, and Bill Clinton's NAFTA will react?
I would expect that there will be huge opposition to this idea, including Democrats-- the corporate money accepting kinds. There will be shrieks and moans that this costs money, that it makes some businesses non-viable. So be it.
Just because doing something will be difficult doesn't mean it shouldn't be proposed, talked about and attempted. I'm sure that if legislation was introduced today it would never make it out of committee. But we need to start.
The west and industrialized, Abrahamic cultures have stolen so much from aboriginal peoples. We should start learning from them and tapping their wisdom-- systematically and intentionally.
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