Environment
The 11th Hour (film):
Global warning/climate change impacts all of humanity, and therefore it is not a local but a global concern that requires multidisciplinary intervention (general point made throughout film).
Weather and climate issues have been in the mainstream media, and events are happening more frequently (beginning of film).
Climate change can be framed as a matter of national security, and there may be "environmental refugees," (middle of film).
The rate of decline and tragedy is accelerating at a rapid pace, making immediate intervention necessary (throughout the film).
Existing and emerging technologies provide the solution (toward the end of the film)
Essence of Permaculture
Permaculture is an extension of "systems thinking" (3)
Permaculture is not just about land use but about a whole method of living and sustaining human communities that goes beyond food and energy and toward lifestyle (3)
The Permaculture Design Course " has been the prime vehicle for permaculture inspiration and training worldwide," (4).
Impediments to permaculture include the perpetuation of consumerism in the dominant culture (4).
Permaculture is based on both science and ethics (7).
We Are All Related
Human beings are made of the same substances, literally, as every other natural thing on the planet including the earth itself (72).
We are "all related" in the sense that all people come from the same "mother," which is earth (72)
The Indian way of life was in harmony with nature, built on respect for the earth and for people as well as for individual freedom (72).
Christian and European cultural hegemony has destroyed many Native American cultures (73)
However, it is not too late to return to more constructive Indian vision, which is more constructive and productive than the European model of consumerism and war (74).
People or Penguins
When discussing issues related to pollution, it is important to be specific instead of general (476).
It is possible to have a people-oriented version of pollution control and environmental activism, rather than preserving penguins "for their own sake" (477).
It is important to propose a people-centric vision because people are inherently selfish (477).
Generally, though, what is good for humans is also good for the environment and vice-versa because everything is connected (477).
When defining the objectives of environmentalism, it is important to define actual measures or levels of pollution that are acceptable: in other words, quantify it (478-479).
References
Baxter, W.F. "People or Penguins."
The Eleventh Hour (Feature Film, 2007).
