David Orton dies at 77
Writer, philosopher and longtime “deep green” environmental activist, David Orton died at his home in Watervale, Pictou County, New Brunswick on May 12th, 2011. He was 77. Orton, who founded the Left-bio movement, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March.
May 29, 2011 Comments Off on David Orton dies at 77
Wind Turbines: Some Deeper Questions
Wind turbines are sprouting up like industrial mushrooms in many rural regions. Nina Pierpont, a rural physician living in upstate New York, writes about health impacts suffered by people living close to wind turbines. Although it covers an important topic, the book is essentially about human health and does not discuss the deeper aspects of ecosystem health, write Nova Scotia deep ecologists David Orton and Helga Hoffman-Orton.
May 14, 2010 2 Comments
John Livingston: An Appreciation
Nova Scotia deep ecologist and writer David Orton believes that the work of deceased Canadian deep ecologist John Livingston (1923-2006) deserves to be better known in the activist community. Orton suggests that Livingston’s writing forces the reader to face up to what is required for the Earth’s survival and is thus extremely important for today’s rapidly disintegrating ecological and social world. (This article first appeared in Green Web Bulletin #79 )
January 10, 2010 1 Comment
Deep Ecology and Alternative Political Models
The complexity and interdependence of ecosystems mean that exclusively human-centric social organizations pose an increasingly grave threat to non-human species and to the environment, as well as to indigenous human societies. Incorrect decisions made by the dominant human power structure can easily propagate and augment their impact. Decentralisation of power and “local” solutions seem to offer the only remedies that can avert us from imminent global destruction, writes Ukrainian eco-centrist Victor Postikov.
October 7, 2009 Comments Off on Deep Ecology and Alternative Political Models
Not Freedom But Community
Botswana-based writer Tom Holzinger suggests that the ultimate social goal for left bio-centrists is the turn or return to voluntary social and ecological communities as our primary form of organisation. Replacing capitalism then becomes a necessary means to this end, an intermediate goal.
July 26, 2009 2 Comments
Findhorn Signposts
Russian poet/translator Viktor Postinikov found support for his eco-centric views among the spiritual and philosophical companions he encountered at the Findhorn eco-community in Scotland. He traces his path to discovering the “magic of Findhorn” at the community’s Exploring Community Life course in 2008.
April 2, 2009 1 Comment
Climate Change Pollyannas
Global Warming For Dummies can raise a person’s general level of knowledge about climate change. But by offering solutions from an individualist perspective and promoting optimism in fighting climate change, Green Party leader Elizabeth May has chosen to play the Pollyanna, writes David Orton in this critical review.
March 14, 2009 1 Comment