Manufactured Landscapes

[avad]

This documentary on photographer Edward Burtynski's work was perhaps the most important, relevant and mindboggling film I saw this year. Please see. I'm still struggling with comprehending scale and growth. SO much to think about. I've been trying to See something...and given glimpses.Don't even know how to talk about these things with others...because it is so complex...and beyond right and wrong. it is a future that we are all helping shape continually, daily...and we must figure out how to be more conscious in it. not blaming or demonizing companies or nations...but figuring out how to be connected for a sustainable planet and humanity. thinking about things on a larger scale. economies, resources, poverty, labor, happiness, health. What is the life I would want for myself AND everyone else? Being that my detailed tastes are personal, what are the main things I feel are important? We cannot be in denial about what is occurring...nor simply wish it were different without trying to visualize in what ways we might actually work in positive changes. Positive changes that take into account both the environment and the populations that are striving to survive and move out of poverty. Such a complex and necessary challenge. please help by giving it some thought and perhaps sharing or acting on those thoughts in some small ways. It is now 2008. wow. it's starting to feel like it.

Comments

[space-botz.livejournal.com]

Oh ladybug... (sigh)
I just watched this doc a few weeks ago. Incredibly overwhelming, I'm still processing it. Its hard to comprehend the scale of impact humanity has had on the landscapes that we live in - not to mention how quickly that scale is growing. Ed Burtynksy won the TED prize in 2005, and gave an incredible presentation, focusing strongly on China and the Three Gorges Dam. Mind-boggling.

I've been working on forest conservation issues for the past year now. Its been a shift for me - from a hobbyist/lifestyle environmentalist to a professional environmentalist (or environmental professional, both really). Social, environmental, economic justice, resource management - there are all the same issue with many intersections. All day long I read about melting ice caps, toxic plastics, species extinctions, our petroleum addiction and hardly write in my blog at all. Its hard to find the written voice when I spend so much of my time and energy focusing on engaging with corporate and government partners, talking in person to allies. I have some really hard days, where it all feels like too much and I come home, bury myself in blankets and WORRY. Other days I feel like I'm part of the turning tide, the change that the environmental and social justice movement needed - the reality check of the new millennia. The model of change that I'm working with is revolutionary. I'm at the forefront of transforming an entire industry with integrity, creating a model for other industries to follow.

This work, this is my life's work - its not just a job. I want to be a grandmother in a world with polar bears, spotted owls and beluga whales and I'm fighting my hardest to be that woman.
I really should be writing more...

[avad.livejournal.com]

you my dear are a shining star, no question.
planting trees with your hands, working in this direction with all your energies....as long as I've known you you are such an inspiration and an example of a beautiful movement.
it's hard to say you should be writing more when you're obviously giving so much ! But boy I wish someone would follow you around and blog for you.:)
we just need to see and know the hopegiving stuff so much more. Remind us when you can, point. So many times whenever these subjects are brought up it's just alarming and depressing and people want to run from it....we need to keep being reminded about the positive changes, the hope, and any little things that we can do so we're a part of the turning tide you feel.
xoxox

[space-botz.livejournal.com]

awww, thanks for the nudgenudge l'il squirrel.
there's oodles of positive stuff going on, a real sea change!
here's a neat read to check out that'll make you feel like part of the majority, not the alternative...

;)