Thursday, September 14, 2006

ARCTIC ICE SHRINKS

Almost daily there is some reporting on global warming, the effects on other countries of the way we use our energy. The latest story is the shrinking of the arctic ice.

I may be more aware of it because I am interested in it, as other people may completely go into denial about the situation.

I thought I would illustrate a common process happening to humans when they have a shock, be it through ilness, death, loss of any kind so you can see where abouts you are in the cycle.

It starts with shock,......
.........then comes denial
...........then comes anger and guilt............
..............then comes despair.............
.................then comes acceptance..............
.................then comes relocation........

Relating this to the news of global warming....where abouts are you?

It could be something like this......
Global warming, flooding in Bangladesh, changes in arctic ice ( shock, possibly)
Ah...that has nothing to do with me.( denial)
How is it possible that this is happening? Is it my fault? Why do politicians not act?( anger and guilt possibly)
Its hopeless for any individual to do anything about it...we are doomed.( despair)
We may be doomed but to effect change I am going to have to make changes now and its going to be hard and cost me money.( moving to acceptance)
heck, this is hard, giving up things( despair mixed with acceptance- some go back to denial)
I wonder what solutions I can find to change things around here ( acceptance)
Downshifting, community and communication........( relocation)

The most difficult and tricky point comes when you come out of despair and depression and realise that the way forward is going to be hard, acceptance and the need to change. This is where most people hit rock bottom, not when they hit rock bottom but when they are aware what needs to be done to make change happen.
It takes on average 2 years for people to journey from shock to relocation........where are you on this journey?

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