Mainstream Environmental Movement Closes Ranks : Private E-mails

ORIGINAL E-MAIL:

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From: Keith Farnish
To:  carl.pope@sierraclub.org ;  mbrune@ran.org ;  epica@foe.org ;  john.passacantando@wdc.greenpeace.org ;  lthorp@cleanwater.org
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:26 PM
Subject: The Atmosphere Is Not For Sale : A Schism Approaches


Dear Esteemed Environmental Leaders

There is a schism approaching in the environmental movement, between those who feel that the climate crisis, and other global scale environmental problems, can be solved by working within the existing economic, political and social systems, and those who feel that these systems must change fundamentally before lasting, dramatic solutions can ever be effective. The former, who I believe you and your organisations count yourselves as part of (based on the US PIRG Statement of Support), is by far the most powerful and influential of the two sides. The latter consists of myself, a large number of lone gunmen and women, plus a sprinkling of small bodies with apparently extreme views.

The problem is that I strongly believe that the latter group are correct - any solutions that come about within the existing setup will never be adequate to protect the future of the natural world, and humanity. I could be simplistic and say that this is because such solutions are within the comfort zones of the very bodies (corporations, non-socially progressive governments and lobby groups) who depend upon these systems for their continued survival...and I would probably be largely right.

I submit the following short articles to help make my case, and hope you have both the time and the open-mindedness to take in what is being said:

 http://earth-blog.bravejournal.com/entry/23122

 http://earth-blog.bravejournal.com/entry/22804


Please don't take these as personal attacks; I can only comment on what I see, and I haven't seen much evidence of a willingness to start again, without the systems that took us into this deadly mess in the first place. I feel you should have a fair crack of the whip in arguing your corners (I don't believe you all sit in precisely the same corners), and would welcome your responses to this most critical of issues.

Yours faithfully


Keith Farnish

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NO RESPONSE RECEIVED.


FOLLOW UP E-MAIL:

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From: Keith Farnish
To:  carl.pope@sierraclub.org ;  mbrune@ran.org ;  epica@foe.org ;  john.passacantando@wdc.greenpeace.org ;  lthorp@cleanwater.org
Cc:  john.sauven@uk.greenpeace.org ;  tony.juniper@foe.co.uk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: The Atmosphere Is Not For Sale : A Schism Approaches


Dear Carl, Lynn, Michael, Erich and John

I am not surprised that not a single one of you was prepared to debate this topic with me or even acknowledge the e-mail below. I am both ashamed to be associated - as an environmentalist - with such a level of rudeness, but also feel vindicated in my suspicions that no such discussions would be forthcoming.

Before you hit the DELETE key, please look in a mirror and ask yourselves, "Will I really ignore the warnings because I think I am right?" I am not some hippy-trippy, ethereal soul who is away with the fairies, I fully understand what is happening, and why nothing is being done about it. Insousiance in the face of catastrophe is the modus operandi of the culture of consumption, and I would love you to tell me that you agree and are going to do something to get us out of this blinkered state.

You all have your agendas, and I don't think you are going to move away from them, even if they mean that we move closer than ever towards our self-destruction. That's not human nature, that's the culture we are living in, and I really feel sad if you cannot see it - especially considering that so many people are relying on you to give them a future.


Yours faithfully

Keith Farnish

CC: John Sauven, Greenpeace UK; Tony Juniper, FOE UK

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NO RESPONSE RECEIVED.