The Club of Rome a Recreation of Adam?

I am researching discourses that frame the way we see the environmental issues. How these discourses have evolved from conservation, to preservation, to competing interests and conflict, non environmentalists to those hostile, anthropocentric (human centred) and ecocentric (ecology centred) perspectives, power interests, government and economic growth versus corporate interests, industrialism and the imaginative and prosaic (not prosac ha, prosaic is we poets). The latter peaks my interest as issues such as reform and re-envisaging the future come up and words like radical transformation. In my view the artists come in here to reinvent the future.

As I was reading the literature I discovered the Club of Rome which you may be familiar with. I will learn more about them but I have added here their basic premise ‘A New Path to World Development’. When I see the word ‘development’ I feel an inner recognition that is not in harmony. Development is a western industrialised notion and I have found there is much wisdom in ‘developing countries’ in respect to living in harmony with nature that generates well-being but in a way that is not material. The words I am intuitively looking for are values, harmony, balance, truth, re-envisaging and sustainability with earth systems, a new paradigm rather than path. I will know the words when I see them.

I am interested to know how they think so I thought I would provide an overview to explore. I feel the Club of Rome as an influential think tank that is analysing within an economic paradigm. I understand they are known for their warnings about limits to growth. However, as I read their overview I notice the language couched in marketing terminology such as ‘…The Club has the opportunity to use its wide brand recognition’, I felt this was not a departure from the current economic paradigm. The language reinforces mindsets educated in the economic paradigm. This is understandable yet I feel as Einstein does, we have to shift to a new consciousness. Consciousness is about awareness, it expands what we see and this changes what we see. They list a series of points, Point 4 I feel is the one that interests me, if the values are universal, then all the other points will change.

Words are important as they form a vision in the mind and we direct intent towards it, this is how we create change. It is interesting to learn how different groups are thinking and seeing their world. I respect all discourses and I have a sense of why they believe this is the way, yet I venture to suggest there are other ways that will be defined by nature. Balance of our true nature is the key, within that is peace and inner harmony. The language of nature comes to us in how we feel, not what we think I notice. Thoughts are in service to feelings in truth. My thoughts here are just musings, I am exploring my own consciousness as I explore others. I don’t really want to frame it as right or wrong, just a different perspective. All is a worthy contribution. Ultimately the path that is chosen will be formulated based on what we are conscious of (how self aware). I am on a journey of self discovery not a path of development. Just playing with that.

So here is the overview.

The Programme of the Club of Rome on A New Path for World Development

The global issues which were the focus of the 1972 Report, “Limits to
Growth” are even more severe and urgent today. At its 40th Anniversary Assembly in June 2008, the Club launched a three year, integrated programme of international research and consultation on the topic: “A New Path for World Development”.

The Programme now complements the ongoing, worldwide activities
of the Club and, using the potential of the internet to engage its Members, its 33 National Associations and its European Support Centre
together with experts and institutions across the world in an “open
systems” approach. In this way, it mobilises and focuses the best
brains available on the critical issues which will determine the future of
humanity and of the planet. The research strategy and content are outlined at www.clubofrome.org.

The present path of world development is generating imbalances, vulnerabilities, inequities, exclusion and polarization which constitute clear threats to the prospects of both present and future generations. The Programme draws on the independent, multicultural and interdisciplinary membership of the Club to clarify the key elements of a new path for world development. It will propose new lines of
thinking and action which are urgently needed to:

• avert the risks and consequences of catastrophic climate change;
• reduce the devastating impacts of human activities on ecosystems and environment
• and the overuse of the biological and physical resources of the planet;
• achieve more fairness in the distribution of vital resources and opportunities and of the costs and benefits of globalisation;
• accelerate global efforts to eradicate poverty and deprivation of a growing world population;
• adapt and reform the structure of international institutions to address the integrated problems of a world in rapid transformation;
• and broadly, to achieve equitable and sustainable world development and thus preserve international security and world peace.

In order to manage the complexity of such an extensive “problematique”, the programme strategy focuses successively on five clusters of interconnected issues while recognizing the linkages between the clusters. In each case, a small expert conference develops proposals for action and identifies issues for in-depth analysis through internet-based, international research networks.

The five clusters are:

1. Environment and Resources: Climate Change, Energy Security, Ecosystems and Water.
2. Globalisation: Distribution of Wealth and Income, Employment, Economic Restructuring, Trade and Finance.
3. International Development: Demographic Growth, Environmental Stress, Poverty, Food Production, Health and Employment
4. Social Transformation: Social Change, Values, Culture, Identity and Behaviour.
5. Peace and Security: Justice, Democracy, Governance, Solidarity, Security and Peace.

Its all good, we are learning as we go. Nature will put the pressure on us to awaken to new ways of seeing. Test all theories in practice and see what happens.

I just had a flash of inspiration and thought of Michelangelo. I remembered when I went to the Sistine Chapel in Rome and saw the painting on the ceiling. The painting is called ‘The Creation of Adam’ and it is defined by Wikipedia as:

“The Creation of Adam is a section of Michelangelo’s fresco Sistine Chapel ceiling painted circa 1511. It illustrates the Biblical story from the Book of Genesis in which God the Father breathes life into Adam, the first man. Chronologically the fourth in the series of panels depicting episodes from Genesis on the Sistine ceiling, it was among the last to be completed. God is depicted as an elderly white-bearded man wrapped in a swirling cloak while Adam, on the lower left, is completely naked. God’s right arm is outstretched to impart the spark of life from his own finger into that of Adam, whose left arm is extended in a pose mirroring God’s, a reminder that man is created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26). Another point is that Adam’s finger and God’s finger are not touching. It gives the appearance that God, the giver of life, is reaching out to Adam and Adam is receiving.”

I see nature as the life giver. We are receiving life. The mirror or likeness I feel to be in universal values. Inspiration is part of that giving I feel. I note he is reaching with his left hand, this is the creative side. I am left handed, right brain thinking (feeling). Creativity is exciting it takes us out of the box to connect with the spark call it divine or natural doesn’t really matter.