A petition? That kinda Sachs.

Posted by David Roberts at 3:51 PM on 12 Mar 2007

I don't think it's exaggerating to call Jeffrey Sachs a moral hero. He's one of the world's most influential public intellectuals, and has spent his life pursuing innovative ways to reduce poverty, hunger, and suffering through sustainable development.

In Time magazine, Sachs issues a clear and forceful call for action on global warming. He directs readers to NextGenerationEarth.org -- created by The Earth Institute at Columbia University, which Sachs runs. There, you can ... add your name to a petition. Sigh.

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Why the sigh?

Signing petitions is perhaps a bit disheartening, because it always involves having to wait patiently, and it often involves frustrating doubts about whether it will be at all effective.

Nevertheless, Sachs is talking about making systemic changes of the largest sort, which will require the agreement and cooperation of international organizations and networks, governments and businesses. Few of us are decision-makers capable of operating on that level. Still, if in our own little way we can do something to influence the decision-makers, then we should give it a shot.

Just to give a sense of numbers of participants: I just signed the statement, a few minutes ago, and was told that my name is the 2,969th in the list of signatories.

Sachs also exhorts us to communicate the gist of the statement personally to other people of influence, such as editors and elected representatives.

Jeffrey Sachs has been a hero of mine since I first heard of his work; as an alumnus of Columbia, I am proud that he is associated with that university; and I am glad that DR has been pleased to publicize this initiative of his on global warming.

Notice, by the way, the elegantly worded marriage of adaptation and mitigation in the last item of the statement.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 4:18 AM on 13 Mar 2007

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