Defend yourself, defend the planet.
DCL
Although I do have an extensive background in martial arts, my latest book, Self Defense for Radicals: A to Z Guide for Subversive Struggle, is just as much metaphorical as literal. The inherent message being: If we were to appreciate our unbreakable bonds to other humans and the entire natural world, we'd be more likely to act in "self defense" when engaging in green activism. So many issues—for example, extinction, ocean floor trawling, and desertification—may appear too abstract to motivate individuals to step up. But if we were to look upon all living things as part—along with ourselves—of one "collective soul," we'd recognize the need to protect our entire eco-system.
WATCH VIDEO: Not exactly what I'm talking about
Want a good place to start? Try defending old-growth trees:
5 Ways to Connect and Protect
1. Recognize Our Connections As mentioned above, the first step to re-inventing our perception of self-defense is a re-connection to the natural world. As Tom Joad sez: "Maybe we're not all individual souls, but maybe we're all part of one big soul."
2. No More Mr. Nice Guy Being nice has gotten us undrinkable water, polluted air, and often inedible food. Being nice has us believing that coal is clean, nukes are green, and climate change can be reversed by switching to recycled toilet paper. It's time to not be nice.
3. Fill Your Toolbox Let's say you're a handy man/woman/person and you get hired for a job. I'm guessing you'd bring your full toolbox to the worksite. After all, you can never be sure what might pop up and what tools you'll need. In other words, if you have a job to do, it would be illogical to decide beforehand that certain tools are off limits. Keep all your tools at your disposal—even if some remain permanently untouched—just in case.
4. Plug Into Your Community As Utah Phillips reminds us: If you can't change (your community), if you can't make this place where you work and live better, then where can you? Just get busy." If you feel like you don't have a community, create one.
5. Don't Be Afraid Participating in sustained direct eco-action is not a popular choice. It could put us at odds with our friends, family, and community. It could jeopardize our careers. It could even lead to direct conflict with law enforcement officers. Scary stuff, for sure. But, as a thought experiment, ask yourself this: What frightens you more, being judged by our neighbors for getting a ticket for disorderly conduct or comprehending that 80% of the world's forests are already gone?
