We expand "caregiving" to unite caregivers' movements and
environmental movements, making both more mature and more hip.
Caring for Mom seemed
irreconcilable with caring for the planet. Until we began caregiving by
caregiving for the planet. Then we had activities we enjoyed
together. I discovered the joys
of caring for Mom, and the joys of caring for the planet.
Caregiving organizations and environmental organizations will gain in both
credibility and prestige if they recognize their common purpose and unite.
(Sign on.)
(Continued below)
(This site will be merged with the Caregivers of the Planet blog at www.imagiscape.ca/blog:)
There are conflicts between caregiving and environmental activism -
caregiving seems to require using disposable diapers for an adult, and spending
resources on sweets and entertainment. We can try to ignore these
conflicts, but we can grow if we harmonize/integrate our
values.
Caring for the planet, for some people, requires restricting resource use to
people who are 'value-added' to the planet. My dear mama is, in that view,
a burden on the planet and, according to some environmental values, we ought to
expand our understanding of love to include proactive dying-with-dignity.
For now, at least, there is enough for everyone's need, just not enough for
everyone's greed.
Caring for the planet makes our home rich. Previously much of our house
and possessions lay dormant, just 'stuff', just there. Now we scan our
home every day seeking how to grow our ecosystem. Our home is now alive
for us.
It can be said that if humans disappeared, the world would return to a
pristine state of nature, whereas if insects disappeared, all life would
collapse. This may be true, but humans can have a role enhancing and
fulfilling and yes even redeeming nature. Except insofar as we exceed
nature's assimilative capacity, every day nature rebounds from our assaults and
works towards restoring the world. Is there also truth to the idea that as
humans are restored, we restore Creation?
After revising this page, let us invite caregiving/chronic disease
organizations and environmental organizations to pledge agreement to these
principles. (Do you suggest an alternative to "pledging
agreement to these principles"?) I will invite organizations for whom
I have contact information - do you want to invite organizations you think ought
to sign up?
- International Alliance of Carer Organizations
- International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations
- International Federation on Aging
- ...
- ...
What should happen to put this harmony into action? This seems a bit
bombastic to me, but perhaps something like a global concert. Other ideas?
You can't have healthy people on a sick planet.
You can't have good jobs on a sick planet.
Must Read:
Caregiving
Policy for a Playful Planet
(250 words)
Live Earth?
The Music Industry Pollutes - Render Consumption Obsolete:
-
Workshops for a Playful Planet
- Caregiving Channel
