Pollution

You have no doubt heard Mother Earth is in serious trouble. Actually, it is life as we know it that is in big trouble, as Mother Earth will surely clean up our mess in due time. We are gravely concerned, so hope to inform others of the great dangers we face. Due to the reality of feedback loops inherent in the environment that will multiply the problems and are near or past their tipping points we must act quickly if we and our descendants are to thrive, or even survive. The following is general information on climate change and links to news articles culled from various sources that highlight the urgency of the threats. Read one or all, but please look with compassion and forgiveness on our shared plight.

Fast Facts on Global Warming/Climate Change

The industrial age started in 1750. Glacier retreat was first noted in the early 1800's. An increase of 2000 billion tons of CO2 have been added to the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. Carbon dioxide is up 36%, since 1750. 3/4 from burning fossil fuels: 43% from coal, 34% oil, 18% natural gas. Methane also up 148% since 1750. Positive feedback loops make it much worse due to ice, cloud, tundra loss, and CO2 and methane gains.

The "global ocean conveyor belt" (see thermohaline circulation) will eventually fail to circulate ocean water and cause major cooling  in the North Atlantic, North America, and Europe, and likely causing ice ages in some areas. This would also cause the oceans to become stagnant and loose vital oxygen levels due to lack of circulation and cause major extinction events.

Co2 passed 400 parts per million in May of 2013. The last time it was this high was 4.5 million years ago and the oceans were 50-85 feet higher as a result. It may go to 540-970 ppm by 2100. 30-40% of the carbon dioxide has been soaked up by the oceans but that causes ocean warming and creates carbonic acid so crustaceans can't make shells and corals reefs bleach and die. 

Warming since the 1950's is unprecedented over thousands of years. Global temps are expected to rise 3.1-8.6 by 2100 and cause rising seas, floods and changing rain and snow patterns, expanding deserts, extreme weather, heat waves, extinctions, crop failures, and droughts. Climate "inertia" slows change but is persistent for better or worse lasting tens of thousands of years. 16 of 17 warmest years have occurred since 2000. 

2016 was the warmest ever. The last 39 years have consecutively been above average. Greenhouse gases, cloud cover, and other factors also effect temps. Global warming was first discovered in 1950 and first noted in print in 1952. In 1986 and 87 NASA scientists went before congress so the term was widely adopted and awareness was raised significantly. One fifth of plants face Extinction. They are the lungs of the earth providing a huge carbon sink.

Arctic temps rise twice as fast. The West Antarctic is melting fast due to warm ocean water below. If it melts it will add 10 foot ocean rise. If Greenland melts it will also be 10 feet, but if the East Antarctic melts it will add 200 feet to the oceans. Warmer oceans put more water vapor into the atmosphere creating killer waves and storms. 

Of the 500 reefs coral reefs in the Northern Great Barrier Reef only four show no signs of bleaching. Most have severe bleaching. The arctic ice cap used to be solid but is now fractured and vulnerable. It is in crisis and also affects weather around the globe. Deep sea life diversity is highly susceptible due to acidification and low oxygen. Current ocean warming is unprecedented in human history.

Fifty four percent of people worldwide consider warming a very serious problem but the Chinese and Americans who are the worst offenders and are concerned the least. Climate change causes extreme storms, heat waves,  fires, ocean acidification, wind storms, hurricanes, coral death, droughts, and mass extinctions. Donald Trump and much of the Republican party consider human driven climate change to be over rated or a hoax (as of 1/17)

 

Starting with clouds, oceans, and aquifers: 

The world's clouds are in different places than they were 30 years ago

Global Heat, sea-level hit record highs in 2015

With One-Third of Largest Aquifers Highly Stressed, It's Time to explore and assess the Planet's groundwater

New NASA data shows how the world is running out of water

Next The story of ice:

Antarctica's ice sheets are melting faster and from beneath

The North Pole is an insane 36degrees warmer than normal as winter descends 

The Arctic is seriously weird right now

Antarctic ice shelf could collapse within 100 years, study finds

Antarctic region shows sudden,surprising ice loss

Studies warn Greenland's contribution to sea-level rise may be much larger than expected

The ice melt in Antarctica is going from bad to worse

Climate research: sea levels are rising much faster than we thought 

Ho-hum arctic ice report should scare you as much as drought, fire and flood

Scientists confirm their fears about West Antarctica - That it's inherently unstable

Marine and land life:

Climate change risks biggest change to marine species in 3 million years

Climate change causing damage to diversity and abundance of marine species-disturbing food chain 
Scientist build a case for sixth extinction 

How to prevent the 6th mass extinction 
 World Wide Fund says nearly half of the world's marine animals wiped out in a single generation

The diversity of life across much of Earth has plunged below safe levels 

A vast underwater forest is roasting to death

Scientist chart of 400 mile zone of coral Devastation at the Great Barrier Reef 
Since 1970 58% of the world's wildlife population has disappeared 

Wilderness lost: Earth's wild lands in catastrophic decline

California news: 

Study finds climate change makes California's drought worse 

The end of California? 

NASA research researchers forecast decades-long Mega drought to hit Southwest of the U.S.

And lastly climate change overall:

Removing CO2 from the air only hope for fixing climate change 

Earth warming to climate tipping point 

Climate calamities boost risk of armed conflicts in ethnically divided countries

Hottest year ever? 2016 burns through heat records NASA says 

Blinded By The Heat 

Climate change illustrated in five charts

Gallup: Americans not very concerned with climate change 

Did global warming pause or slowdown? Neither says US Government research data

Global warming could hit rates unseen in 1000 years

21 numbers that explain why the time to address climate change is right now or maybe yesterday

Things have gotten much worse since An Inconvenient Truth 

Climate report warns of killer storms rising seas in near future

Atmospheric levels of methane gas a powerful greenhouse are spiking

The102 million dead trees in California forests are turning tree cutters into millionaires

 
You may (and please do) further research any of these subjects on the internet through Google, Wikipedia, etc. Personally the problems became up close and personal on a trip to the high sierra mountains in 2016. The sight of thousands of trees, and many of them that were young and healthy that had turned a deathly yellow/orange was devastating.

A live one man show in Yosemite featuring a spot on manifestation of the spirit of John Muir cemented the urgency into place. If he were here he would be pounding on the doors of capital hill and every heart and mind willing to listen to save the gentle giants that are the trees and in so doing save ourselves.

Time is short. You might say the bomb has already gone off, and our job now is to limit the damage as the shock waves roll across the world. We like to say climate change is our first priority at Cowboy Dharma, but it is the climate of fear and denial we personally have that is first and foremost in need of attention. We must break through to the best part of us and others that we may come together in hope, help and healing to save life as we know it.

Power Paths

There are many ways in which western thought is making a difference across the world in beneficial ways. Non Violent Communication is taking groups that have been enemies for decades if not centuries and helping them find common ground where they can at last work together towards peace and freedom for all concerned. It is so revolutionary it can be hard to do, but is very effective. It is also called Compassionate Communication. Another "path" we find very powerful and useful is Eckhart Tolles' work; The Power of Now. It takes Buddhism, psychology, A Course in Miracles, and other paths and melds them into a seemingly new way of thinking, feeling, and living. This one is really worth a good long look, and the books worth reading. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's work on processing losses and grief can be a pivotal part of recovery and living a full and complete life so we have included our take on it with a Twelve Step focus here. Another very powerful and useful bit of wisdom is Erick Erickson and others work on the stages of development. This also has a Twelve Step flavor and can be viewed here. Joseph Campbell's work on the mythic archetypes of personality gives great depth and meaning to how we process and live out our lives. This helps us understand Who We Are. This link is a work in progress as we add more personality types, so stay tuned for more coming soon. Campbell also inspires us to take a Hero's Journey to find wisdom and healing for our selves and others. More Power Paths to come-email us yours at CowboyDharma@earthlink.net 

Rumi's Ecstasy

Mevlana Rumi was a thirteenth century Persian poet, scholar, theologian, and mystic. He is described as an "ecstatic" poet as he celebrated a relationship with God that dwelled in ecstacy. He is considered the most popular and best selling poet in America. Read some of his works and you will know why. There are some really nice short selections attached to serene images on the internet easily found by searching "Rumi" through the Images tab. Here are a couple of examples: Quotes   Poetry

Wise Masters

There are a great many teachers we can benefit from. Of those that touch me deeply I like to gather their wisdom by collecting their best books and quotes. These I read and re-read as inspiration comes. I find it very comforting that these individuals have struggled and suffered just as I have but found they could become masters of their destiny just as we can. So here they are, Einstein, Buddha, John Muir Thic Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron and Eckhart Tolle. If you don't have a collection of your own this may get you started. Look for wise and kind people, ones that grab your heart and mind. They are still with us through these works, ready to take our hand and guide us onward. Bon Voyage!

Verbal Communicative Relating

Poor communication is one of the "character defects" of co-dependence. Personally, troubles here have prompted adding this to the Essential Disciplines list of late as I find myself shutting down and shutting up all too often. My preference is to consider things awhile before commenting, but it gets frustrating for others and ultimately myself. I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing or just plain don't know what to say. Yet in reality, we don't have to all the answers right away, we can simply respond, "I see," or "I understand," or "Okay, let me get back to you on that." The important thing is to respond, relate, communicate! After all, communication is derived from communion, relating intimately with others, so cutting others off undermines trust by breaking that important bond. The dark side here is closing down and isolating, checking out, particularly in times of trouble when we all most need to know others are going to be there for us, we aren't trapped and alone. Even when the dust settles it's important to stay in touch, to check in regularly, whether during a conversation or even as days, months, and years pass. This is my commitment, to "commune" with others, openly, honestly,and consistently. You also may want to check out the post and notes on very helpful Non Violent Communication.

Simplicity Basics Necessities

I used to have a poster with an Emerson quote of "Simplify, simplify, simplify". Great advice for this day and age. I recently heard that "The prosperity of today is the empty consumerism of tomorrow". It seems tomorrow is here, and if we're not careful, we may get buried under the complexity and sheer quantity of acquizitions and information of modern life. The simple life is so much less stressful and onerous simplicity should definitely be kept in mind and practice. For a fun take on this, check out the Disney song Bare Necessities. I don't expect anyone to cut back their baggage to a robe and begging bowl like a monk, but keeping "things" down closer to what is really important can be very helpful. Personally, I try to "clean house" on a regular basis to help me focus on what is important rather than waste a lot of time wading through superfluous items and information. This goes way beyond just things to what I think about, places I go, what I eat, and how I exercise. I know what works for me and tend towards those most of the time. It is a real adventure when something new gets my attention and go exploring. Music is a good example as I research my favorite bands and musicians and follow the links on YouTube. I also make note of good music from the radio to add to my music list. Again, though, I try to find the best of the best and add that rather than flood my files, mind, and life with every little thing of interest. The best advice on this topic, as you have probably heard is, "Live simply, that others may simply live".

Enthusiastic Inspired Passionate

Winston Churchill said "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Thanks to all the work in recovery by myself and others, my recovery is really kicking in! I feel like a kid who is getting a new bike for Christmas (for me that's BIG), I am ecstatic! Emerson said "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." I can certainly relate to that, great things are happening! It's not all great by any means, life is still difficult and unfair on a regular basis, but even the challenges have taken on a new, lighter, brighter understanding. In twelve step we say, "It works if you work it," and I find this to be very true, it's working! I don't know how to inspire you, you have to do it. All I can do is be an example of someone who is inspired. Look at this blog history, It languished for two years until I was inspired to share my recovery, "my experience, strength and hope." Then came fifty plus posts in two months time, and that's writing just two or three days a week. It feels good I can tell you. What inspires you? Where would you go if you followed your bliss? If you want great things to happen in your life, if you want to really feel passionate and live out loud, now is the time to start. Cut out magazine pictures and make a vision board, find quotes on enthusiasm and passion and put them up, make a passionate songlist and play it everyday. I do them all, why don't you?! "Whatever it takes," I like to say.

Brave Bold Daring

Wow, this topic brings up some energy for me. Passive, fearful, afraid, scared, worried: some energy there too, not good. The "other" side (I won't say dark) is what I learned growing up as I was quite shy, reticent, introverted. There is certainly value in that also as I have a calm, still, reflective nature and personality that helps me not get so caught up and lost in the high energy drama so prevalent in the world and some people. But there is also great value in being bold, brave, courageous, and daring too. This I have learned and now express in good measure. It is a good counterbalance, and necessary for a full and rich life. I think it is through mastery in certain areas of life that my boldness has surfaced. For example: I can wheelie like crazy. And (on a bicycle) not just pedaling to keep the front wheel up like most people do, but I can tilt back beyond the balance point and tap the rear brake to keep me upright and from falling over backwards. This is called a "coaster wheelie". It is a wonder to see and do, especially at the level I do where I am barely moving as if suspended by an invisible string from the heavens. It may sound crazy and it is, especially for a 50 year old dude like me. My mastery allows me to boldly coaster wheelie down the hill at the top of the Santa Monica pier where I live. There are lots of people walking up and down the sidewalks on either side that are witness, but I don't care. They are witness to an amazing feat of skill, ballet, poetry, boldness, and daring that would have otherwise been a simple trudge up or down the hill. There is an awesome view I must admit as I usually stop a while to soak it in. The point is, that we should sing, dance, paint, work, learn, and live with all the boldness and daring we can. Life is a beautiful and awesome thing when done well, let's make the most of it.

Faith Belief Trust

It seems faith has gotten a bad rap, likely due to "blind faith." I don't believe in blind faith. Do I have blind faith the sun will come up each morning? No, it's confidence based on experience. The same with other "big" subjects like God. Do I blindly believe God is causing every blade of grass to grow, (most) parents to love their children, and the rain to fall? Again, no, it is a proven fact I can expect with certainty. You can look for exceptions and base your belief on that if you choose, but does it serve you? That is really the point, to choose to focus on and believe what serves life and build a faith, a confidence, an assurance that supports and nourishes that point of view, the best in us all. That's something worth believing. True, it is "selective," belief, but aren't all our belief's ingrained into us through our upbringing, culture, media, and so on? There's an old saying, "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself!" Now turn that around to "I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't believed it myself." What do you want to see? Then you must ask yourself,what do you believe? I want to see and believe that although life (and people) certainly isn't always fair or easy, it is basically good, in fact wonderful (for more on a wonderful life, see my post on gratitude).

Creativity Imagination Expression

Everything we are, do, and have is the result of creative imagination. From the smallest poem, kind word, or gesture to the greatest works of mankind like cities, arts, and compassionate religions they were first seen in the minds eye, in the hearts feeling before manifestation and fruition. I believe we are creating all the time in an unrelenting stream that expresses (presses out) our deepest cravings and desires. Whether we create from the strivings of ego or higher good (God) given desires is ultimately up to us if we have the presence of mind and heart to know the difference. Selfish creations are merely clever rather than wise, more tricks than treasures. Confusion, negativity, and doubt can also plauge our higher purpose. All the more reason to "Seek first the kingdom of Heaven," to "Be still and know that 'I Am,' God." Personally, I am often slow to make decisions or take actions, first waiting for gut level confirmation, a deeper validation. Perhaps the adage "The mind is the surface of the heart, and the heart is the deep level of mind" applies. Creativity is something I really enjoy as I can't seem to leave well enough alone. I prefer to play with things, trying this and that to see if there is room for improvement. My way is usually more evolution rather than revolution, but I can't help "customizing life," as I say, to suit my personality and place. How about you? Are there creative pursuits on your "to do" list? Or maybe just everyday things that could be tweaked a bit to make them more fun, to make them yours.

Discipline Constancy Self-Control

I am sometimes surprised to see I have let such an important topic go unaddressed for so long, this is one of those! Growing up in the Christian church, I can relate to the idea of being a disciple very clearly. As the story goes, Jesus's disciples gave up their lives as is to follow him, be his students, and follow his teachings. The juxtapose of being and acting flaky, wild, loose, erratic, and reckless point out the danger of not having made a commitment to the higher calling of right principles and virtues. The idea of authority keeps coming up for me here, as many of us have an authority problem, wanting to be the "author" of our reality. This is where my experience in 12 step helps so much; 1. We admitted we were powerless over others, that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to God as we understood God. Here we recognize that real authority comes from Higher Power, the greater good. Here we make a conscious decision to submit, listen to, and follow the teacher of truth, the "still, small voice"deep within yet all around. Without this solid foundation we are blown about by the winds of life, rudderless, anchorless. This floundering is not good for us, our companions, or life in general. It is only by finding our true teacher (Higher Power), really listening to and learning the lessons, and then following them, that we can be of real help and healing in the world.

Optimistic Positive Inspired

I have always thought of myself as a "half full" person. The problem is I keep bumping up against "half empty" folks. The disease is scarcity, lack, poverty, and deprivation. Sadder still is those people's half full side seems to be sour milk. Being a recovering co-dependent I still get caught up in that crap from time to time but it has taught me a great lesson; I'm not a "half full" anymore, due to my brimming recovery toolbox, and especially my abundance and gratitude work, I am now overflowing! And not just water, overflowing with every good and wonderful thing. In fact my teacher Joel says throw out the glass, get a bucket, and let that fill to overflowing! He also reminds me I am a child of good, an if a child an heir. An heir to what? To all the blessings, all the gifts of God, a treasure house, overflowing of course! So I'm gonna Live Out Loud because It's a great day be alive and there Aint no stoppin us now as we Celebrate good times. How about you?

Altruistic Giving Benevolent

As you can see, these disciplines are interrelated, one often giving rise to others. This is the case here as our understanding and commitment to Higher Good and One Self grow and mature it leads to a natural altruism and benevolence. No longer trapped and alone in the small and frightened self, we reach out to others, all of nature, all creation, in true compassion. This is reallife. Here, in intimate communion with all that is, we can't help but care about and for our companions as we realize it is in fact a type of self care. Certainly this is coming to fruition in the environmental movement as we embrace the needs of our planet, Mother Earth, in an effort to save her as well as ourselves. This took an interesting turn for me recently as I watched a show on new sport called rock crawling or racing. In it, people take highly modified four wheel drive vehicles up and down unbelievable rock crevices and faces. Growing up a big fan of motorsports, It grabs me deep inside as exciting and attractive. On the other hand, I now have a much greater appreciation for the quiet and natural side of life so it bothers me to see such grand and hallowed places be run over, bruised, and scarred for years to come. At the time of this writing, the world is revolution sweeping across the middle east and tragedy in Japan. The quality of our care and concern for others is being tested big time. News of swift response at a grass roots level through facebook shows signs of great hope for individual efforts making significant contributions. These are God's hands, God's feet, God's head and heart. It's up to us save to the world, one thought and action at a time. We must access and nurture our own God given innate nature of benevolence if humanity is going to survive, let alone prosper in the future.

Greater Good Noble Heart Higher Law

It seems Americans are somewhat selfish and self absorbed. After the Japanese earthquake and tsunami they would stand in line for hours for very little water and noodles without complaining. The stores would run out sometimes as well, but no shootings, riots or other mayhem. The reason, I'm told, is because they are very community oriented. This can be a problem in the extreme as well, but it was good to hear of such strength of character. Self care is actually the best first step, as illustrated by airline stewards when they tell us that if the cabin decompresses and the air masks drop in, put yours on first before trying to help someone else. Once we are in good shape, it is time to help others. Service is one of our best and most rewarding tasks but the story takes a different turn here. It's not as much the doing, it's where we get our direction, our compass reading. We ask ourselves what is best for all concerned, what would serve the greatest good? Setting aside our own wishes and needs for a time is to listen to the "Noble Heart," and "Higher Law". Too often we have an "authority problem." We think we are the author of our lives and want to write the whole story beginning to end. Here's where the little "me," the self with a small "s" creeps in. For those who don't know what I'm getting at, there is another Self, the One Self that is one with all creation. The fact that you have read this far, tells me you have some understanding. Have you considered it an essential discipline, a life principle? That little self is cunning and baffling, sneaking in to try and take over and run the show whenever it can, This is the new definition of ego. The alternative is now often called Spirit. It can seem as if there is a battle going on between the two. It is described that way in the old native American Indian story as to wolves, one white, one black fighting for control of our souls. Who will win? The one we feed. In reality,we must accept and care for the black wolf just as the white, for if we are truly One, the black wolf is us too, and just as deserving of our care.