Keystone is Dead

Yesterday was an epic day for the fate of the planet.

No, we didn't dodge an asteroid, or fight off an aggressive alien species, or even find a cure to a global epidemic.

But we did affect the decision making of one man.

That one man was one of the most powerful in the world; President Barack Obama.  Yesterday he made a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline which was to connect the Tar Sands of Canada with US markets. He decided to send it back for a review.

Mining the tar sands of Canada for their oil content was described by prominent environmental & climate scientists as "Game Over" for the planet in terms of their carbon release into the atmosphere when burned.  Not only would it cause widescale environmental damage in the mining sites, but likely effects would have reduced US energy security, hinder investment and job creation in the US & Canadian clean energy sectors, and created very few jobs but made a lot of money for TransCanada Corporation through destroying the global climate for us and future generations.

However the rallying of thousands of people around the world, 350.org especially, put enough doubt in the mind of President Obama, that he sent the proposal back for re-review.  Most analysts agree this is the burying of the Keystone Pipeline proposal for ever, as it can't possibly stand up to robust questions around environmental & climatic impact, energy security & economics.

It took mass civil disobedience (over 1000 arrests), a public demonstration encircling the White House, an online petition, a global social media outcry, and even industry advocates from across a variety of sectors to make it happen. But it happened.

So firstly, a massive congratulations to President Obama, for his leadership on energy security, climate change, and a decision to aid the preservation of the planet for future generations.  There is still more to be done.

Secondly, an invitation to join us in letting Obama know we back his decision, and that pledge to work toward a better future. 350 Pledge & check out TarSandsAction.org for news, or Stop The Pipeline to see the web of corporate corruption tied into this proposal.

My eyes now turn to the leadership around the world which eye America's positioning on climate change, and ask them to take the same strong position in the face of pressure from large energy companies and lobbyists.

I ask them to act as if they are acting for their grandchildren.  I ask them to listen to the voice of the people who see a brighter future, and are investing their energy & lives not only into activism on these subjects, but to those who are already developing solutions, working on the opportunities which lie ahead in the coming years - to develop a world we want to occupy.

I look to my own country of residence, Aotearoa/New Zealand, which is coming up for a big national election.  I look to our Politicians, with all the events that have happened in the last couple of years - explosions in Coal mines and the Rena leaking Oil into the Bay of Plenty.

I ask them to recognise the Leadership shown by President Obama;

• I ask them for leadership on climate solutions, 
• I ask them for leadership on environmental conservation, 
• I ask them for leadership on agricultural systems, 
• I ask them for leadership on food security, 
• I ask them for leadership on resource use,
• I ask them for leadership on preserving water quality, 
• I ask them for leadership on moving beyond just sustainability to thrivability,
• I ask them for leadership on economics which recognizes true costs,
• I ask them for leadership on an economy based on our beautiful country's environment, not on degrading it, not using it to subsidise our position in the global market, but actively benefitting our environment.

And of course I ask my friends, my whanau, and anyone that reads this, to vote according to policies which show some recognition of this.

What we do today, affects the economy, society, community, environment and climate of tomorrow.  I'm not getting 'holier than thou' here... I'm asking people to be aware, to educate themselves, to think about the choices they make, and to act for their grandchildren. Today.