Bob Emmons (“The Failure of COP26,” EW 1/13) is absolutely right about the root cause of climate change. I would argue that the loss of biodiversity is an even greater crisis in threatening the future of life on Earth. Both crises are caused by unlimited growth in both human population and human consumption of resources.
I recommend Eileen Crist’s book Abundant Earth, where she thoroughly documents the destruction of our planet’s formerly abundant life and then advocates “scaling down and pulling back” to a human population of 2 billion with greatly reduced consumption. This would also reduce future pandemics.
Life depends on other forms of life, and life needs diversity in order to continue to exist. Any form of life, including humans, that becomes too numerous is destined to be attacked by other forms of life in order to restore the balance of biodiversity and allow life to continue. We humans have had something like COVID coming for a long time.
Most environmental groups are still refusing to take a stand on growth. I recommend supporting CASSE (Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy.) It’s way past time to stop human supremacy, the idea that we humans are the most important species and have the right to decimate other species and take over most of the planet for our own needs, desires and amusement.
Sharon Blick
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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