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Down to the Wire

Down to the Wire. Confronting Climate Collapse David Orr. Introduction. A pragmatic book about the synthesis of politics, history, religion, and public policies Explores solutions for how future generations might address global problems Practical. Chapter 1 Governance.

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Down to the Wire

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  1. Down to the Wire Confronting Climate Collapse David Orr

  2. Introduction • A pragmatic book about the synthesis of politics, history, religion, and public policies • Explores solutions for how future generations might address global problems • Practical

  3. Chapter 1Governance • How well does the constitution work relative to the climate and environment? • We have not had an open and honest system that encourages public participation • The hardest tests are to come and have to do with the relationship between governance, politics, and the dramatic changes in earth systems • Transformational Leadership-creative leaders

  4. Chapter 2Politics and Governance • There are a lot of forces that work against democracy. Al Gore argues that decades of TV have contributed to irrationality • The American voter, according to Rick Shenkman, is pretty stupid (pg. 51). We are distracted by consumption • Societies fail (Pg 54).

  5. Chapter 3Leadership in the Long Emergency • Abraham Lincoln pg. 88 • He did not overthink the subject • He saw how the issue was central to other issues • He used language and logic with mastery • He did not abuse religion to describe it • Lincoln’s ideas are important to us because they help us understand the the importance of the larger framework

  6. Chapter 3Leadership in the Long Emergency • FDR Pg. 92 • Displayed positive energy • Understood people • Restored confidence • Obama Vs. Bush Administration • Energy Policies • Use Persuasion • True Leadership

  7. Chapter 4The Carbon Connection • Carbon Dioxide is at its highest level in 650,000 years and continues to rise • Example p.117—mountains turned onto gravel • Coal mines • Experts justify the destruction on the grounds of necessity and cost • Americans & Prozac— “I can do nation”

  8. Chapter 5The Spirit of Connection • U.S. most Christian—least in Christian behavior • “Religious nuttiness”: Blames Bush • Homo Sapiens Pg. 138 • Bush is gone, but the extreme fundamentalists are still with us

  9. Chapter 6Millennial Hope • Gloom and doom • Liabilities Vs. Potentials • Cognitive Dissonance: people holding 2 contrary beliefs….are we proficient rationalizers? • Begins in childhood—according to psychologists pg. 166

  10. Chapter 7Hope at the End of Our Tether • Optimism Vs. Hope • Feeling optimistic is hard BUT, • How do we find authentic hope in the face of climate change?

  11. Chapter 8The Upshot: What is to Be Done • Obama running 2 deficits: Money, credit and ecological. • The President needs to put in to place a government that is transformational • Proposals include: • Creation of council of elders (pg 209) • Transformational leadership needs to come from all those in political power in DC

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