Is there a form of spirituality or a religion that is uncaring about the earth… the quality of its air, water, conditions of health for all?

I think all such systems do care about these things.  However, some are largely oblivious to both local and worldwide serious problems.  Or they put so much emphasis on “heaven” or individual well-being that there is little attention left for pressing needs of preserving the environment that sustains us.

Not so for the 1500 religious as well as non-religious (including atheist) people who gathered last Thursday night to Sunday night to learn about, envision and move actively toward systems of agriculture, Energy Production, etc. which can reverse the powerful materialist momentum that presently degrades our environment… threatening to make it unlivable for perhaps some of us and almost surely for our children or grandchildren if it is not reversed.

The Conference was “Seizing an Alternative: Toward an Ecological Civilization” Let’s break that down, starting at the end.  Ecological civilization is really the only viable option left to us.  Anything not substantially ecological (or “sustainable”) will not remain “civilization” but become some kind of chaos full of terrorism-on-steroids.

“Toward” – We can’t be sure we will get there, but as one presenter said, he’d sure rather go down swinging than with bat on shoulder.  We have to try.  To continue the status quo is to take that third strike.

What is the “alternative”? Actually a beautiful linkage of interdependent communities of various sizes working in mutual support and in harmony with nature, perhaps without much change in the national and other forms of government we may either like or believe still have potential.  But food and energy production must radically change… and the means to do that have recently emerged, giving us genuine hope.

“Seizing” – We won’t get there without determined, persistent and immediate action.  I’ve been inspired to join the “movement”… the interlinking of the many strands brought together in the conference and others not present… and am looking to see what new actions I can best take.  (I already recycle, conserve, etc., but know I can do much more.)

I encourage you to request the newsletter and follow the website of Pando Populous, the organizing site following the conference which will have many incredible sessions posted, have interaction for connecting and supporting various groups and missions, etc.  Below is a brief explanation from their home page.   Have a look and please share your reactions or involvement back here!

Pando Populus is a platform for people who care about big ideas and the Earth. Our aim is to create an ecological civilization.

We’ve taken our name from the largest and oldest organism on the planet — a giant quaking aspen tree, spread over more than a hundred acres, thousands of years old, connected by a single root system.

Various movements and organizations focus on one aspect or another of ecological concern. We endorse and celebrate their work.