Energy Descent & Northern California Identity
As the reality of peak oil sets in popular mind, we would like to take the opportunity to point a few things out to the citizens of Northern California.
The first observation is that we are a special place in America, our towns are not completely overrun with suburban development and we have a dynamic and diversified economic basis. We have a region that is worth caring about. Also we are rich in crucial natural resources such as fresh water, arable soil, and forests. Much of Northern California is still wilderness. We think our future prospects are decent compared to much of the country.
We observe also that the culture of Northern California already is seeded with people who are aware of the predicament we are in. And they are doing something about it. We are the leading region in the country for sustainable agriculture,
permaculture, alternative energy systems, etc...the list goes on. The seed of the next paradigm has been sowed.
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the ongoing culture wars in this country are also happening here. We are not immune to the divisive currents that are sweeping the world. In a severe crisis the Bay Area is subject to the phenomenon of Balkanization. Which may see the various ethnic communities pitted against each other in a struggle to survive. But it does not have to happen like that. We must forge a regional identity based on the land and our shared stewardship and responsibility for it.
We would categorize the main divisions as the "ins" and the "outs." This is with respect to power; economic, political and cultural. Of course power is not the only division that is important, in order to keep focused we will consider it as the most important factor when considering the chronic tensions the era of energy descent will create. You as an individual are either in or out. This may not be so clear now, because we have only begun awakening to the difficulties ahead. Anyhow without further ado, how does this relate to the future of Northern California?
If we do not soon establish a solid and distinct regional identity, that is separate from the rest of the state and the country, then we will be manipulated and taken advantage of. We would like to see our region pull together and protect our mutual interest. Because when the going gets rough we will have powerful groups looking at our relative abundance with hunger in their eyes. Like a pack of wolves they will descend, taking our resources and wealth. That is if we are divided. Unified, with an understanding of the value of our region, we can protect this area.
One might ask, why such a negative perspective? Shouldn't we pull together as a country, and not hoard our regional wealth but share it like good neighbors? This is exactly what we should do, but on our terms. It is our opinion that the federal and state governments are no longer working for the people's interest, but for the corporate elite. It is these people that worry us, they have no sense of community well being. What drives them is profit, they have already been raping our land for a long time, and when the squeeze is on do you really thing they will suddenly become ethical and generous?
It is already past time to take back what is ours. As caretakers of the most beautiful land on earth we implore you to save it. Act with conscience, and stick together. This is our land.
The first observation is that we are a special place in America, our towns are not completely overrun with suburban development and we have a dynamic and diversified economic basis. We have a region that is worth caring about. Also we are rich in crucial natural resources such as fresh water, arable soil, and forests. Much of Northern California is still wilderness. We think our future prospects are decent compared to much of the country.
We observe also that the culture of Northern California already is seeded with people who are aware of the predicament we are in. And they are doing something about it. We are the leading region in the country for sustainable agriculture,
permaculture, alternative energy systems, etc...the list goes on. The seed of the next paradigm has been sowed.
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the ongoing culture wars in this country are also happening here. We are not immune to the divisive currents that are sweeping the world. In a severe crisis the Bay Area is subject to the phenomenon of Balkanization. Which may see the various ethnic communities pitted against each other in a struggle to survive. But it does not have to happen like that. We must forge a regional identity based on the land and our shared stewardship and responsibility for it.
We would categorize the main divisions as the "ins" and the "outs." This is with respect to power; economic, political and cultural. Of course power is not the only division that is important, in order to keep focused we will consider it as the most important factor when considering the chronic tensions the era of energy descent will create. You as an individual are either in or out. This may not be so clear now, because we have only begun awakening to the difficulties ahead. Anyhow without further ado, how does this relate to the future of Northern California?
If we do not soon establish a solid and distinct regional identity, that is separate from the rest of the state and the country, then we will be manipulated and taken advantage of. We would like to see our region pull together and protect our mutual interest. Because when the going gets rough we will have powerful groups looking at our relative abundance with hunger in their eyes. Like a pack of wolves they will descend, taking our resources and wealth. That is if we are divided. Unified, with an understanding of the value of our region, we can protect this area.
One might ask, why such a negative perspective? Shouldn't we pull together as a country, and not hoard our regional wealth but share it like good neighbors? This is exactly what we should do, but on our terms. It is our opinion that the federal and state governments are no longer working for the people's interest, but for the corporate elite. It is these people that worry us, they have no sense of community well being. What drives them is profit, they have already been raping our land for a long time, and when the squeeze is on do you really thing they will suddenly become ethical and generous?
It is already past time to take back what is ours. As caretakers of the most beautiful land on earth we implore you to save it. Act with conscience, and stick together. This is our land.
posted by pjack | 4:47 PM
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