A few days ago, I received a book in the mail – a rather common event around here. This one came from a book shop in Ireland – still not too unusual. What was unusual was that, when I opened the package, I had an arresting experience just by holding the book in my hands. For a moment, I simply held and regarded it, and then had to ask the question, “Where in the world has America been?”
The book was written (and signed) by Mary Robinson who was the first female president of Ireland elected in 1990 – more than a quarter of a century ago. (She was followed by another woman president.)
The suppression of female leadership in this country becomes all the more glaring as we now (rightfully) celebrate the small number of women elected to office this year. How many other countries have forged ahead of this America that pretends to be the most advanced at everything?
The other arresting factor of the book in my hands was that it was about the humanitarian impact of climate change across the globe. While we still have (mostly male) leadership that refuses to admit to the established science of climate change, she and most of the world have gone on to recognize the realities of a changing world and their implications for cultures, migration, equality and simple human dignity. Meanwhile, we languish in the medieval ideologies of isolationism, willful ignorance and authoritarianism created by the propaganda of self-serving corporations, Republicans and “conservatives.” Contrast that with a woman president who understands the human cost of climate change.
Mary Robinson’s perspective is refreshing, faces reality and looks for a sustainable future. Perhaps when more women and men without ideological blinders take a baby in their arms and think about the future that awaits them, we will have still more sane, responsible citizens demanding better representation for the sake of the world and for the sake of our children.
Her book is titled Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience and the Fight for a Sustainable Future.
This post wasn’t intended as a book promotion, but it would be a worthy one. (Plus, Kenny’s price was lower than Amazon’s.) My point here is that I wondered: where in the world has American been? Most of the rest of the civilized world is passing us by in attending to the realities of climate change while we deal with rampant corruption, ignorance and greed. The sooner we correct course, the better things will be, and books like this one will help restore our vision and our hope.