Naomi Klein
This Friday we attended a book tour presentation by Naomi Klein. She has just released her new book This Changes Everything, about climate change and global warming. The subtitle is Capitalism vs. The Climate. We felt privileged that Santa Rosa was chosen as one of the early venues for her appearance.
Some years ago we noticed that author Michael Pollan would be discussing his new book The Botany of Desire in a large book store in Santa Rosa. I was so excited; I made certain to arrive early because I feared there wouldn't be parking places anywhere near. There were only about eight attendees; the book store employees joined us, to lessen the embarrassment. He soldiered on and did well. I had the opportunity to speak with him at length.
So heading for the Klein presentation I wondered what the audience would be, and hoped that our community would represent. I needn't have worried. Arriving early, the parking lot at the Vet's Building was nearly full (all Prius's) and the auditorium was 3/4 full and filled by starting time.
As the auditorium filled a pianist entertained us from the stage with an amazing variety of music of every type. This event was put on by The North Bay Organizing Project and as introductions began the president began with a special introduction for the pianist who was 13 years old! Amazing and heartening.
The essence of Naomi Klein's message was that it's not about carbon----it's about capitalism. We've been told that it's impossible to get off fossil fuels but we do know how to do it. A huge task and difficult, reining in corporate power, rebuilding local economies, and reclaiming our democracies. It's not just a good thing to do,it's essential, Sink or swim.
She pointed out that we did work together re: the hole in the ozone layer and eliminating the chemicals causing it. She felt that one tipping point in awareness happened in 1988 when
James Hansen stated that the connection between emissions and climate requires collective action.
Affordable transit is a climate solution. It's important to have the polluters pay; this trend needs to accelerate.
In Germany, she explained, communities have been taking back the means of power generation from private companies. And much of their power comes from individual and community solar projects.
We have an economy that's not working for the world. "Nothing is inevitable. Change is up to us". The new economy should be one to save the earth and save human rights.
Something called a "regenerative economy".
Someone asked a question about geo-engineering, like cloud seeding and iron in the oceans to absorb carbon. Naomi had a strong negative reaction to this: more likely to screw things up than do any good.
She noted that indigenous efforts in Canada (she lives in Canada) and South America are actually working. She didn't have much good to say about Canada's government.
Her final theme before the question period was the statement (not a quote) from Mark Jacobson from Stanford to the effect that profits could be made with renewables but not "stupid" profits like with centralized systems.
I was fortunate to sit next to Kossack Barkingcat who introduced me to friends who were well acquainted with DKos. And I also met several friends of the liberal persuasion who I suspected would be there. I bought the book and was third in line to have her sign it, and spoke with her a bit.
She is youthful; before the talk her 2 year old son ran across the stage.
And she has written three books that in some way define an era: The Shock Doctrine, No Logo, and now This Changes Everything.
*Apologies for any misquotes or misrepresentations; I was taking notes in a dark room and writing as fast as I could.
All in all, a fine evening. Plus another signed book for my growing collection.
Kitchen Table is now open for business pleasure, persiflage, and sparkling conversation.
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Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
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h/t JekylinHyde