| Feeling hot under the collar? | | | | |
| | | | Renewable energy sources alone will not teach |
| Glaciers and polar ice are melting, ocean | | | | us to accept limits, unpredictability and |
| levels are rising, hot, dry weather, huge | | | | what it is to lead a rewarding life. |
| forest fires, water restrictions, crop | | | | |
| failures... | | | | How we have lived collectively, in our |
| | | | billions, for the last few hundred years, has |
| You name it, if these don't feature in your | | | | got us to this point. And by changing what we |
| life yet, they soon will. Global warming and | | | | do we can live through climate change as best |
| climate change are facts of life now, | | | | as we might. |
| according to the International Panel on | | | | |
| Climate Change, and many scientists. | | | | Even now. |
| | | | |
| Huge problems beyond our control! | | | | It's simple and it's hard work. No way out of |
| | | | that. |
| But are you hot under the collar? | | | | |
| | | | Many people with severe disabilities know |
| If you're not, you probably live in a city | | | | this. And they report the same or better life |
| where half of the Earth's citizens live now | | | | satisfaction as anyone else--under highly |
| and take much for granted. Because in city | | | | challenging, vulnerable circumstances. |
| living we are far removed from natural | | | | |
| processes that deliver our food, clothing and | | | | So, we can learn to live well in a disabled |
| energy. | | | | world. |
| | | | |
| Does your child even know that milk comes | | | | Regardless of what is to come you and I will |
| from a cow - or a soya bean if you're that | | | | be well served by the beliefs and strategies |
| way inclined - and not from a milk carton? | | | | that people with disabilities use to - not |
| | | | just to survive - but to live well. |
| Even in the city you cannot stick your head | | | | |
| in the sand (or under the asphalt?) and you | | | | These are true alternate energy sources. |
| are not immune from climate change. Witnesses | | | | |
| are the 15,000 mostly elderly people that | | | | Those that guide us how to use what we have |
| died in Paris alone in the sizzling hot | | | | sustainably. |
| European summer of 2003. Or the many killed | | | | |
| in New Orleans at the 'hands' of cyclone | | | | These 'disabled people' believe this: |
| Katrina. | | | | |
| | | | * Accept that all of us are fragile and |
| And if you are hot under the collar, do you | | | | vulnerable |
| think perhaps that there will be some | | | | |
| miraculous scientific break-through so they | | | | * The world is full of limits. We need some |
| ever-responsible 'They' will fix the Earth? | | | | of these to live well |
| The ultimate stem cell technology maybe that | | | | |
| can clone a new home for us! | | | | * Vulnerability and dependence are an |
| | | | inevitable part of a whole life |
| Seriously, for many of us it is just all too | | | | |
| hard. | | | | * No-one is independent, but interdependent |
| | | | |
| All we want is to live a life where we may | | | | * Connection with others is our lifeline and |
| raise our children to have a future. | | | | our wellbeing |
| | | | |
| A future of some predictability: of | | | | And they do this: |
| schooling, a job, a family, community, of | | | | |
| achievements and an enjoyable life - on a | | | | * Engage with others to build positive |
| healthy planet Earth. | | | | relationship, where you live, work and play |
| | | | |
| Is this a fading dream, once a reasonable | | | | * Pay attention to other's needs and that of |
| expectation? | | | | the environment |
| | | | |
| Maybe, maybe not. | | | | * Take responsibility for the situation |
| | | | you're in |
| Our world is changing. There are great | | | | |
| challenges ahead and it is too late to stop | | | | * Care for others and the environment |
| global warming. The Earth has changed and the | | | | competently |
| processes it uses to regulate itself are | | | | |
| adjusting themselves. And these changes will | | | | * Be assertive and use your humour and |
| not suit human life as it is. | | | | creativity |
| | | | |
| But you are not powerless. | | | | Not all people with disabilities act in this |
| | | | way of course. And I'd be the last to portray |
| Each person alone can change the world, one | | | | people with disabilities as heroes. We're |
| by one. Let me explain. | | | | just people - trying to get on. |
| | | | |
| Do I say that these problems are under our | | | | You try that! |
| control then? | | | | |
| | | | Talk to that elderly woman in your street. |
| Well, yes and no. | | | | Offer a hand when someone needs it. |
| | | | |
| We are talking about a severely disabled | | | | Doing such small things will connect you with |
| world really. | | | | others and your environment. |
| | | | |
| And from the experience of disability we can | | | | And do also use the 'regular' renewable |
| learn how to survive and thrive! | | | | alternate energy sources, and recycle too. |
| | | | |
| "Come on, get real", you say? Do I hear: | | | | You can change your local world by acting in |
| "Just show me the right alternate energy | | | | these ways. |
| sources and we'll get out of this mess." | | | | |
| | | | And if all fails - regardless? |
| Yes, we desperately do need to switch to | | | | |
| renewable energy sources that do not make a | | | | Well, it's the only way to go! |
| greenhouse out of our home, the Earth. But | | | | |
| all the technology in the world will never be | | | | Perhaps your world might be just as hot but |
| enough to survive and flourish. | | | | it'll be cooler under your collar! |