Back in our University of Newcastle days, our philosophy lecturer Ralph Robinson used to say that economic growth can't keep going on forever because the world has finite resources.
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His words came to mind when we watched Michael Moore's latest documentary Planet of the Humans, which is showing for free on YouTube.
The film argues that the environmental movement has made "well-meaning but disastrous choices, including the belief that solar panels and windmills would save us, and by giving in to corporate interests".
Critics have slammed the film.
"Renewable energy works and is currently cheaper than coal and natural gas and other fossil fuel-generated electricity sources," filmmaker Josh Fox asserted, in a letter co-signed by scientists and activists.
"The film touts blatantly untrue fossil fuel industry talking points, deceitfully misleading its audience on renewable energy."
Nonetheless, the film does make you think about the extent of greenwashing. It also highlights the ways in which solar panels and wind turbines are made, along with the clearing of natural areas so they can be built [mind you, that doesn't detract from the environmental impact of fossil fuels and countless other products].
Environmentalist Jeff Gibbs is the film's director, with Moore as executive producer.
"This movie takes no prisoners and exposes the truth about how we have been led astray in the fight to save the planet, to the point where if we don't reverse course right now, events like the current pandemic will become numerous, devastating and insurmountable," Moore argues.
"The feel-good experience of this movie is that we actually have the smarts and the will to not let this happen."
Gibbs said the film dared to say that "we are losing the battle to stop climate change because we are following environmental leaders, many of whom are well-intentioned but who've sold out the green movement to wealthy interests and corporate America".
He said the film was a "wake-up call to the reality which we are afraid to face".
"In the midst of a human-caused extinction event, the so-called environmental movement's answer is to push for techno-fixes and band-aids."
He believes humanity needs to get a grip on "our out-of-control human presence and consumption".
"Why is this not the issue? Because that would be bad for profits, bad for business."
He asks whether environmentalists have "fallen for green illusions".
"Unlimited growth on a finite planet is suicide, the consequences of which we are already experiencing."
Which brings us back to the wise words of our philosophy lecturer, Ralph. Mind you, we shouldn't underestimate the ability of billionaire capitalists to mine asteroids and bring resources back to Earth, so they don't run out of stuff to sell any time soon.
Pesky Scammers
Cardiff's Julie Robinson says "pesky scammers have been at us a lot lately".
"We have come up with some amusing ways to annoy the hell out of them. You can tell their calls because there is always a delay and often a recorded message saying something like our internet is about to be cut off," Julie said.
One method she uses is to respond with a "loud and weird" rendition of Climb Every Mountain from the Sound of Music. If it's money they want, she sometimes tells them: "I have a cheque book handy. Where should I send the cheque?"
