by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

If you happen to catch the recent article and interview in Rolling Stone, “The Prophet“, you may have felt like calling in sick for a few days - or more. In an in depth and impressive piece by Jeff Goodell, James Lovelock, one of the most eminent and innovative scientists of our time, gets more than gloomy about the future of civilization. “Our future,” Lovelock says, “is like that of the passengers on a small pleasure boat sailing quietly above the Niagara Falls, not knowing that the engines are about to fail.”

Although I know the extent of what we’re facing with climate change, I’m not convinced of any one absolute for the future. Still, my idealist nature took a hard blow after reading this interview. My normal state of optimism was thrown significantly out of whack. Thankfully, the letters of response, printed in this week’s RS issue 1040, helped me get climb back in the saddle. Wise words from one reader below:

“I do not get how Lovelock could suggest that we lock ourselves up in a tech bubble disconnected from the rest of the biological world. I will not be joining him to wither away in stagnant recycled air. I will be fighting the good fight with millions of others as a healer of Gaia. We will work to sequester carbon in ecosystems, not just in dangerous, uncontrollable sea-algae blooms. We will work to create truly renewable energy. We will capture fresh water and recharge aquifers. Lovelock should stop sowing seeds of hopelessness among the young people. Why not plant a garden?”

- John House Wilson, New Paltz, NY

Thanks John. I owe you one. Tao