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 )

With the growing complexity and interdependence of ecosystems in the entire planet, these social organizations pose a grave threat to human beings, to the environment, and to non-human species. Incorrect decisions made at the top of the human power structure can easily propagate, augment their impact, and affect a great number of humans as well as animals of the non-human world. Decentralisation of power and “local” solutions seem to offer the only remedies that can avert us from imminent global destruction.

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.

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.

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.