It can only be a good thing that people are thinking about the issues of world poverty and environment. In the rich world we are far too sheltered from the worlds realities of the world and encouraged not to think about the really important things both close to home and on the other side of the world.
Musicians and actors getting out and saying something must be done is great. If only they would turn the pressure to governments and business and go beyond their medium we may see these gestures really empower people to act. But till then it keeps giving us the call to think about what reality we are living.
As part of the Live Earth coverage on MTV there were a few blurbs saying that we have to hold our governments and big business responsible which is great. But MTV is as much a part of the problem as an Aluminium mine or a coal fired power station. A system based around profits which by market forces cannot put human and environmental rights ahead of profits. As a media outlet MTV plays an important role in normalising thought and behaviour and is funded through advertising to do so. The music industry has steered away from the next Bob Dylan for the same reason. Most socially critical artist who really want to speak out about change remain as independent artists and don´t get on MTV for the same reason.
We don´t have the direct censorship of a dictatorial regime but to deny that our media is heavily controlled and sensor ed is to be unaware of how many people there are out there that think differently and want to say something different to what the economic demands of our current system dictate.
Part of the answer to climate change is driving less and turning lights off but in the long term we are not going to go back to the dark ages and the developing world doesn´t have the same luxury of choosing it´s ways. When they get a power station or cars that is their success, not hybrids and carbon collectors. The real answer is in slowing down production - that is reusing all containers not packaging everything, not consuming new resources at current rates in every sector (so that we don´t have to cut down the rainforest's and pull up metals etc at the same rate), real investment in the solutions that will allow us to continue are in sustainable energy sources not riding donkeys and living in the dark. Capitalism says we need constant growth which means increased consumption of everything, food, clothes, computers, cars. . .
We can change our energy sources whenever we decide to make a serious investment but for now the money to be made from petrol and coal is too great, so we continue to spend infinitely more on finding new oil sources than developing the electric car which we had on the road running at 300km per charge years ago! The power as people to change this reality hasn´t been actualised for the same oppressive market forces.
Capitalism is killing the world and us. Analyse any problem and see if you can´t find a reason in market forces and government spending why the problem is being exacerbated for commercial ends or ignored by government.
Environmental awareness is as good an issue as working conditions, capitalist war, access and philosophy of health care or running water for the world to start realising our economy doesn´t work.
A revolution, as individuals and as a species, of peace, love and understanding is the only way to a new economy and our continued existence on this beautiful planet.
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