For 2015 the Pagan Weekly News seems to have a theme of tackling broad and controversial topics. This week’s edition is no exception. RevKess and KaliSara have their passions. Environmentalism and conservation could be said to be on their mutual list of passions.
KaliSara is very passionate about the topic of Climate Change. In this week’s PWN she and RevKess attempt to tackle that hot (no pun intended) topic. With humor and good natured debate, they do just that.
“We’re not going to destroy the world, we just won’t be here.” – KaliSara
In 2006 former Vice President Al Gore published his book on environmentalism and climate change, An Inconvenient Truth. This launched a very public debate about climate change and brought out the climate deniers. Both hosts have read the book and seen the film based on the book.
A year before, feminist and environmentalist witch Starhawk released her The Earth Path. Another book
that both hosts have read. In Starhawk’s book she talks about living off the grid, getting in touch with the Earth and respecting the Earth.
Through out the show KaliSara and RevKess talked about fracking and the dwindling supply of such fossil fuels as oil and coal. They also spoke of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro-electric.
Along the way KaliSara brought up chaos theory and how sometimes the simplest act can change the world. Referring to the “butterfly effect” as describe in Jurassic Park they addressed some of the cause and effect of human practices on our environment. Time did not allow for a full discussion of how the “little things” we do to conserve Mother Earth can have a true effect on our future.
On the individual level, we can install solar panels, wind turbines, and hydro-electric systems in our homes or on our land. Starhawk, for example, uses both solar and hydro power to electrify her home. When RevKess asked KaliSara what the likelihood of her installing such alternative power sources on her own property would be she responded “100%”. These are little things, in the grand scheme. But if more and more people took these options we could see some effect on the lifespan o the human race on this planet. Like the cartoon to the right says, despite everything we do to destroy or heal the Earth, it will still be here when we are gone.
On a larger level, many businesses and even governments are beginning to install solar, wind, and hydro power sources on buildings and large plots of land. Despite what some “experts” claim, these alternatives do not take away from the resources – the Sun’s power is limitless (by human standards), nothing can truly stop the wind, water will still flow. Ever been to a large city with high rise buildings? The wind gets channeled between those buildings and if anything gets stronger through that channeling.
Success Stories
- Burlington, VT uses alternative/renewable energy to supply power to the people.
- Denmark is the first country to use alternative power to supply electricity to its citizens.
- Alternative energy sources expected to go down up to 40% in cost of production.
- 5 countries making head way toward alternative sources.
“One of the worst things to happen to the topic of climate change is the phrase global warming.” – KaliSara
Scary Facts
- In 2012, an article on Keystone XL Pipeline and Tar Sands Expansion.
- The Kalamazoo River oil spill.
- Venice is sinking.
- Climate change is happening faster than predicted.
“Not enough of our society is trained how to understand and interpret quantitative information…” – Neil deGrasse Tyson
MUSIC
- Celia – Tell Us What You’re Growing – digital single
- Arthur Hinds – The Water’s Rising – Dance in the Fire
- Cernunnos Rising – Greenman (Last Tree Falling) – Wild Soul
Here are some links to articles that give background and current information on the war in the Israeli-Palestinian area.
things, but not because they cannot handle the truth. More often than you might think it is because they are trying not to insult someone else. This one makes no attempt to avoid insulting people. It does, however, bring to light what many think of politically correct speech. An example of how politically correct can be more insulting than sugar-coated would be many of the attempts the straight community use when talking about the gay community, in particular the trans community. See, look there. In an attempt to be general and “politically correct” I left out lesbians and bisexuals, gender queer and gender fluid. Other attempts to be more encompassing of everyone who might fit into that community is the abbreviation “LGBTQA” Even that collection of letters leaves people out. Some like the acronym “SOGI”, sexual orientation and gender identity. This term is confusing for some, a literal look at the term would encompass the entirety of humanity. Perhaps that is the point. Maybe, just maybe, people should call it as they see it, or to use a phrase “call a spade a spade.” 
And then you have the opposite end of the spectrum. Memes that point out something that many might consider to be true. In this situation, many might consider it a fault to need alcohol and drugs to be entertained. Agreed. Drugs and alcohol are not necessary to have a good time. They can make for a little extra entertainment – like when your friend gets so drunk they can’t walk without falling down. In moderation, though, alcohol is fine – even some drugs are fine in moderation. RevKess would rather enjoy a glass of wine at dinner or while watching a movie than toke up, or even go out to the clubs. Combing through several pages of racist memes, none could be found that weren’t in some way disgusting or too far into the racist field (I think I need a shower now). But it is easy to understand that a racist meme is just wrong, insulting. Whether they are directed at whites, blacks, Jews, Asians, Latinos, whatever. They are all disgusting and insulting. After all this, there are some memes out there that are just down right funny, cute, or enlightening. Here is an 
example of one that is inspiring – at least for the bibliophiles out there. Just look around at RevKess’s home and you will see bookcases in every room (save the bathroom) and stacks of books literally to the ceiling. Never enough bookcases. And of course there are the snarky memes.
Pagan-Musings Podcast Channel 