Normalgeddon: Your Landing Page About Having Fun & The Worst Case Scenario Of The Climate Crisis

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Activism, Alternatives, Environment, Normalgeddon, Peer Support

December 13, 2015

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This is a giant hole -- actually called End Of The World -- in Siberian permafrost that illustrates feedback loops involving methane release.

This is a giant hole — actually called End Of The World — in Siberian permafrost that illustrates feedback loops involving methane release.

Update 12/2015:

Several of us have visited Ninkasi Brewery because their Chief Financial Officer is the chair-elect for the local Chamber of Commerce. You may see the results and photo here.  

Updated 9/21/2015:

If you live in or near Eugene, Oregon, there is a very easy way to look on the web and see if your favorite business belongs to the local Chamber. If so, please ask the business owner to contact the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and request that our local Chamber acknowledge that global warming exists, is caused by humans, and the US Chamber in Washington, DC, does not speak for us!

Welcome to Normalgeddon!

I invented the word Normalgeddon to describe the risk of ending not only civilization as we know it, but ending life on Earth over the next few decades. Yes, I realize that things like sea-level rise and hurricanes are more certain, even currently-existing, outcomes of global warming. But there is an uncertain and real chance of “run-away” global warming, when positive feedback loops bring our chaotic climate system into uncharted waters. In this case, a tipping point of no-return could be reached and a very different and unlivable environment unfolds. I call this phenomenon Normalgeddon because it is our collective complacency and adherence to so-called Normality that are driving us toward catastrophe.

For example, one of the most famous scientists, Stephen Hawking, said: “I am afraid the atmosphere might get hotter and hotter until it will be like Venus with boiling sulfuric acid.”

I like to think that by acting urgently and based on our highest principles, we have a chance of turning things around.

Here is a brief list of resources both on this blog and in the web about preventing Normalgeddon.

Links to my blog entries:

1. My latest blog entry about the Chamber of Commerce and Global Warming:

April 2015 Update: We visit the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, and now you can see both a four-minute and 44-minute videos by David Zupan and Jana Thrift about our protest here:

PsychoQuad & Friends Visit Eugene Area Chamber of Silence About Climate Crisis

We visited Ninkasi Brewery, which is a member of the Eugene Area Chamber of commerce. Their Chief Financial Officer is the chair-elect. So far they have not responded to our concerns. You may see our public note and photo of our visit here:

Here is a previous post about the campaign to encourage our local chamber in Eugene to speak out about global warming:

http://davidwoaks.org/global-warming-normalgeddon-mental-wellness-chamber-of-commerce

Here is an earlier post about the local chamber:

http://davidwoaks.org/eugene-area-chamber-global-warming

2. Other blog entries about this topic, please read them one after another here:

http://davidwoaks.org/category/normalgeddon

Here are a few other resources about runaway global warming risk:

1. A google search for videos on this topic that you should check out:

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=runaway+climate+change&tbm=vid

2. If you are ready to hear from someone who is respected but apparently is a bit more pessimistic than me about the future, please read about Guy R. McPherson, author of the book Going Dark, here:

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=mcpherson+going+dark

Thriving despite the risk of Normalgeddon:

Readers of my blog know that I am informed as an amateur about the science of emergence, or as I like to call it “the butterfly effect.” In other words, if we all act from our best values of unity, activism, and love of Earth, then we may have unexpected great results — a Climate Miracle! So remember that hope involves taking action without knowing exactly what the outcome may be.

Everyone ought to be familiar with this revolution in the sciences sometimes called systems sciences or complexity theory. You may read about this here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory

Books such as Web of Life, by physicist Fritjof Capra, apply this type of thinking to living systems.

By coincidence, earlier this year I spent a whole session with my great counselor, psychologist John Bundy, about this very topic because I found I was losing a lot of sleep as I did research. After all, this may be the end of human life. I like to think that we all act together and save life. But I know this topic can be very upsetting.

May I suggest that we use the power of peer support, and I plan to do a lot of protesting and speaking out about this topic. I sure hope we work together now about this, no matter what the results, and hopefully we will celebrate later on!

There is an ancient Persian saying: No one is tired on Victory Day!

This page will change as more material arrives. Speaking of which, the great leader for connecting our movement to his career of mental health counselor, Ron Unger, sent me the following:

Ron provided one of the main links about a worst case scenario that one of the main climate crisis scientists brought up in 2013:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2311699/Could-Earth-barren-Venus-Climate-change-scientist-warns-planet-ice-free-human-free.html#ixzz3StLDobcd

Ron said, “Nice expression – a ‘human free’ planet.  It sounds kind of pristine!”

 

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We Questioned Climate Chaos With Other Fans of Ninkasi

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Activism, Environment, Normalgeddon, Peer Support

November 21, 2015

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"Maladjusted to Climate Crisis" reads our sign that we all posed behind on 20 November 2015 at Ninkasi Brewery, Eugene with many other fans.

“Maladjusted to Climate Crisis” reads our sign that we all posed behind on 20 November 2015 at Ninkasi Brewery, Eugene with many other fans.

Action: At the bottom of this entry, you will see a link for you to endorse this statement about climate chaos!

About 15 of us folks in the Eugene area who care about the climate crisis gathered together last night at the Tasting Room for Ninkasi Brewery. We signed a statement together and gave that to Ninkasi staff.

Why did we choose the site of a maker of micro-craft beer for this? It turns out that our best reason was because of a great coincidence, the Chief Financial Officer for Ninkasi, Nigel Francisco, will become the next elected Chair for the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.

Below is the statement we all signed, as supporters of Ninkasi. We thanked them, and we asked for something more. After you read the declaration, we hope you will join us and endorse this online:

Statement to Ninkasi Brewery about climate crisis:

Thanks and there is more to do!

Thanks for your great craft beer!

Thanks for your public principles in support of the environment!

Thanks for your community involvement!

And there is more we need to ask you to do:

Your Chief Financial Officer Nigel Francisco, will soon become the elected chair of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. For more than five years the well-respected anti global warming group 350.org has had a campaign to ask local chambers to say that the US Chamber does not speak for them, because they are one of the main groups to block progress for climate justice.

Unfortunately, despite many messages, peaceful protest, letters, newspaper articles etc., the Eugene Area Chamber has refused to publicly say anything about the emergency of human caused climate crisis.

We the undersigned ask you to speak out and request that the Eugene Area Chamber say that the US Chamber does not speak for us! The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges ever faced by humanity. It is urgent that we all take action, now!

For more info about this please see this news release:

http://davidwoaks.org/mental-health-climate-beer-eugene

Easy, Free Action You Can Take Now!

Please sign the statement above via this free change.org page:

https://www.change.org/p/nigel-francisco-of-ninkasi-brewery-ninkasi-please-say-the-us-chamber-does-not-speak-for-us-about-climate-change

 

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Climate Chaos & Drinking Craft Beer in Eugene

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Activism, Environment, Normalgeddon, Peer Support

November 17, 2015

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News Release – 17 November 2015

Eugene Activists Visit Brewery To Ask Ninkasi to Say: “The US Chamber does not speak for us about the climate crisis!”

Chief Financial Officer of Ninkasi Brewery Will be Next Elected Chair of the Local Chamber of Commerce

Nigel Francisco, Chief Financial Officer for Ninkasi Brewery, and Next Chair of Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce (photo credit: ShelterCare)

Nigel Francisco, Chief Financial Officer for Ninkasi Brewery, and Next Chair of Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce (photo credit: ShelterCare)

This Friday, 20 November 2015, at 5:00 PM, Eugenians concerned about the climate crisis will gather at Ninkasi Brewery Tasting Room at 272 Van Buren St. Activists will drink the craft beer, and speak about the way global warming impacts each of us locally.

For more than five years, the influential climate group 350.org, has had a campaign to ask local chambers to distance themselves from the US Chamber based in Washington DC. The national US Chamber has had a history of blocking progress on addressing the climate crisis.

Now, having this gathering at Ninkasi Brewery makes more sense than ever:

Nigel Francisco, the Chief Financial Officer for Ninkasi, will soon become the elected chair for Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Ninkasi has a history of endorsing and speaking up for environmental principles.

David Oaks, one of the activists who plans to visit the Ninkasi Tasting Room this Friday, said, “This event will be friendly and supportive of Ninkasi’s support for our environment. While this gathering is unofficial and not organized by Ninkasi, we sure hope that someone from their staff attends.”

For more information about this campaign and local activities, please see:

The campaign by 350.org to challenge the US Chamber: https://www.facebook.com/uschambertruth/

Background about local efforts to dialogue with the Eugene Chamber: http://davidwoaks.org/normalgeddon

The environmental page by Ninkasi about their eco-values: http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/about/environment-sustainability.html

Website listing ways you can peacefully contact leaders of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce: http://www.eugenechamber.com/contact/leadership.aspx

Details about visiting the Ninkasi Tasting Room this Friday, 20 November 2015, including a downloadable PDF poster: http://davidwoaks.org/ninkasi-climate-justice

Facebook event listing about this Friday: https://www.facebook.com/events/1497719757222969/

 

 

 

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Taste of Climate Justice: Peaceful Action in Eugene, Oregon

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Activism, Environment, Normalgeddon

November 11, 2015

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You can download a PDF of the below news release here: ninkasi

When: Friday, 20 Nov. 2015 — 5:00 PM

Where: Ninkasi Tasting Room, 272 Van Buren St, Eugene, Ore.

ninkasiJoin us for an evening of beer tasting at one of the few local businesses in Eugene to respond to our raising concerns about the US Chamber of Commerce’s role in climate crisis. We recognize that Ninkasi is a staple in this community with the leverage to make change at a large scale. We hope that our presence will inspire them (and us all!) to take greater action.

Brief speakers will include Michael Carrigan (long-time justice activist), Ron Unger (mental health counselor), David Oaks (activist on human rights and climate madness), Michael Hejazi (mental health counselor).

This can be a great community building activity. Endorsed by MindFreedom Lane County and the International Association for the Advancement of Creative Maladjustment.

Please note that this event will be held at 272 Van Buren St, Ninkasi Tasting Room. This activity is informal, unofficial, and not part of Ninkasi itself. We are a peaceful and friendly gathering for nonviolent revolution to challenge climate chaos.

For more information, find this event on facebook by searching for “Taste of Climate Justice.”  You may email to davidwoaks@gmail.com

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World Health Organization Publishes Blog About My 40 Years in The Mad Movement

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Activism, Mental Health, Peer Support

October 31, 2015

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World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Health Organization (WHO), based in Switzerland, has a project Mental Health Innovation Network that is publishing brief online blog entries to promote “dignity” of mental health system users and psychiatric survivors.

Below is the blog by me that MHIN distributed, in which I looked back on four decades in The Mad Movement:

Psychiatric Survivor Story: 40 Years Witnessing Mental Health User Dignity

By: David Oaks Posted: 29th October 2015
Credit: Valentina Iemmi/MHIN

Credit: Valentina Iemmi/MHIN

To mark this year’s WMHD, the Mental Health Innovation Network is running a month long series (#WMHD2015 Blog Series) highlighting dignity in four areas of global mental health where dignity is most often compromised and/or redeemed. This week’s subtheme is “Service User Advocacy”. 

Share this blog on social media using the hashtag #WMHD2015 and our Twitter handle (@mhinnovation), and join the conversation by commenting below.

David Oaks is a service user advocate with over 40 years of experience in the field of mental health human rights. He is also the former Director of MindFreedom International. Contact him through Twitter or visit his website: http://davidwoaks.org

 

Last month I turned 60-years-old. Thankfully about 16 good friends, including my loving amazing wife Debra, made this transition fun. We gathered around a big table in a Sushi bar, drank Sake and ate chocolate cake.

This little party was very different from when I was 20, forty years ago, back in college. That is the year that I began to experience difficulties in my life that led to five stays in psychiatric institutions. About a dozen psychiatrists would diagnose me as psychotic, schizophrenic, clinically depressed, and bipolar (then called manic depression). More than once I would find myself in a solitary confinement room with just a bare mattress on the floor for a few days. More than once, about five staff would hold me down and forcibly inject me with a powerful psychiatric drug.

In my senior year, a college volunteer agency placed me as an intern for a mental health service user advocacy group. I wrote about this work for school, and this internship became my career for the next four decades. I have had the unique honor of watching thousands of other psychiatric survivors go through extreme and overwhelming states of mind, supporting one another as loving and equal peers, and thriving through the power of their human spirits.

Because of what many of us call “The Mad Movement” I have met with mental health consumer/user leaders in nine countries, poor and rich, who with allies in the mental health and legal communities, have reached out over and over again to anyone who would listen. While the details and exact perspectives of these service users are very diverse, I have heard some of these themes during my 40-year story:

1. Never giving up on reaching out for dialogue with mental health professionals.

In my own country, the USA, as well as many other countries, and internationally, I have seen psychiatric survivors and mental health consumers/users pull together and ask to have reasonable discussions with organizations representing psychiatrists and psychologists. Despite extreme human rights violations, including atrocities such as forced electroshock, unfair lock-ups for years, four-point and five-point restraints for days, etc., survivors have shown incredible self-discipline and resilience by successfully reaching out for dialogue with professionals.

Unfortunately, with some heartening exceptions, I have seen this outreach by consumers/users flatly ignored by national and global mental health professional organizations. Of course, only a percentage of mental health professionals engage in human rights violations. However, every single mental health professional has personal responsibility to make sure that groups representing them address human rights issues. I have had the pleasure of making friends with dozens of psychiatrists and psychologists who are concerned about our empowerment. But groups representing mental health professionals have been almost universally silent, from regional leaders to the top leaders.

2. Questioning the language that is used about us.

After attending hundreds of meetings of people who have personally experienced mental health care, it seems that many of our gatherings begin with a discussion about language. Some people might get a little frustrated because there does not seem to be any perfect words to describe us. However, this is not about “political correctness.” Instead, imperfect though this effort to redefine ourselves may be, our people are seeking their own empowerment and a first step is to address word issues.

People might accept or reject psychiatric diagnoses about themselves. People might accept or reject words the public assigns us. But we can have influence over the words we use for ourselves.

Are we psychiatric survivors? Mental health consumers? Service users? That is up to us to decide. In the meantime, how about we stop calling each other things like “normal” or “mentally ill.” Describing each other with unscientific, vague, disparaging labels can hurt our mental wellbeing.

3. We are the 100%!

One of the most effective ways to rob a group of their dignity is to segregate them and treat them unequally. As other advocates have shown, it is wonderful to celebrate differences between people in terms of color, culture, gender, background, etc. However, when differences are exaggerated irrationally and become walls, oppression can win.

The most difficult and the most valuable insight I have gotten from my four decades in The Mad Movement is that every human being, from womb to tomb, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, always wrestles with overwhelming, life-threatening mental and emotional challenges. Yes, we are all different. However, as the climate crisis is showing us all more each day, to be human is to deal with recovery from the mysterious, unknown difficulties of our minds.

Image courtesy of Valentina Iemmi

Originally published by MHIN.

 

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