7th Gen Blog

Guest post from Bec Cooper...

Once there was a man who loved water – oceans, rivers, lakes – he loved them all, and there was a particular pond of water that he loved more than any other. There were beautiful birch trees around it and so many birds, butterflies and dragonflies. He had discovered a secret path leading to this pond, and began stopping nearly every day on his way home from work. He always felt very peaceful, and his mind could quiet in this place after a hectic day at work.

Greenpeace is one of the best known environmental groups in America, and even better known around the world. They fall roughly left of center in the spectrum of environmental organizations, right about where I do. They combine careful and thoughtfully researched work with bold actions that capture our imagination and spirit.

At 35, they haven’t entirely lost their adolescence but are at the same time a fully responsible adult. They are led by a real visionary, John Passacantando, who believes in the same possibilities I do, and is willing to do what ever it takes the make the world a just and sustainable place for generations to come. Just the kind of guy I like to hang out with.

in awe of all they brought
and the energy leaving the room
missing it already

we end with reciprocal gratitude, sweaty hugs
and what’s the next chapter?
what change will be brought by those empowered?

I can feel the momentum created
and know that it can’t be stopped
an overdue change has become inevitable

________

Yesterday was new for me. I received so much gratitude, so many heart-felt hugs, and even a standing ovation (during which I turned bright red); at first I felt really embarrassed by all of it, like I didn’t deserve their thanks.

According to news reports coming out of Brazil, the Amazon rainforest has been granted a stay of execution at the hands of soy bean growers. Responding to public protests and activist pressure, Cargill, Inc. and other major soy traders have declared that for the next two years they will stop buying soy from growers occupying newly deforested lands.

The decision should go a long way toward halting the clearing of rainforest for massive soy plantations. At least in the short term. If growers and potential growers know they won’t be able to sell their crops, they’ll have zero incentive to undertake the hard work of clearing tropical forest for new plantings.

As Jeffrey and Gregor discovered when they visited the region in June, soy farming has become perhaps the most destructive force in the Amazon basin. (Greenpeace has an excellent overview of the issue here. Be patient… it takes a minute or so to load.) The word that big international soy buyers will now refuse to tacitly fund this destruction is very welcome. It’s a temporary solution, of course, but it will buy some much needed time to (hopefully) put some meaningful permanent protections in place.