But, in recent years, I've been watching a lot of documentary movies, many of which address the film maker's concerns about the well-being of the world, films about water shortages, about problems with fracking, about the polar ice cap and glaciers melting, about famine and poverty, about disappearing wildlife habitat, about oil spills and coal dust, about tsunami and hurricane damages, to name a few.
An ever-thickening cloak of despair settles over me, as I become convinced that we are slowly destroying our world, and worse, that I am powerless to stop any of it. At some point, looking at all of the things going wrong, I knew, beyond doubt, that the core issue, the root of all of it, is the demand we humans place on the earth. Nothing can stop the demand, short of decreasing the population; not just curbing population growth, but actually dramatically decreasing population.
There is only one way to decrease world population: to do so, every person must voluntarily embrace this world-saving motto:
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| Message to Citizens of the World |
1 + 1 = 1
One + One = One
When every couple has only one child, the population will decrease significantly in just one generation. Demand for power, for water, for fish, for just about everything will decrease dramatically. Life will seem more precious. We will, in a single generation, improve all of the concerns we now have.
For 5 years I've been thinking about making a 1+1=1 bead embroidery. Finally, here it is. This is my Bead Journal Project piece for January, 2014. I'm starting the year by doing something, doing the one thing I know how to do that might help our beautiful world survive. I may do more of them, trying different ways to show this concept. In this one, there is a message to all citizens of the world:
I even have a fantasy that maybe others from around the world would join me, illustrating their concern and this solution in their own style and materials. I have started a 1+1=1 Facebook group , and encourage artists, quilters, beaders to join me. Maybe we'll have an exhibition one day, maybe it will become a quiet, yet powerful, movement. If you agree with me, I'd love to see your version of 1+1=1!
Message to Citizens of the WorldOur home is crumbling, burning, blowing away, and melting,as we take and trample, and continue to take what we wantfrom it. In our clear heart and mind, we know the truth,and we fear the future even as we continue to consume.What can we do? When we sit up, pay attention, and learn,we realize there is only one way to repair and restore our home.For the sake of our child’s child, we must voluntarily decreaseour numbers by embracing world-wide, voluntary, one child.Robin AtkinsJanuary, 2014
This piece is only 2.5 x 3.5 inches, and is entirely made with size 15 seed beads. My next post will be a technical one... how to bead nice, even circles. Yes, the circular pattern of blues and greens represents the world. I've learned a lot making "the world" (trial and error) that I want to share with you.
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I'm with ya! For a long time I thought I would be 1 + 1 = 0, but then I had my one so I still fit the plan. It is dismal to think about the state we are leaving the world in for the next generation. If each generation left the world in better shape imagine how great that would be. the UN projects somewhere between 8 - 11 billion people will be on the planet in 2050. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteYes Liz... It was so depressing to think like this... still is... but at least I feel a little better since addressing it as best I can. Do you want to make a 1+1=1 piece?
DeleteIf I can come up with an idea, definitely I would love to! My brain needs its next puzzle as I finally came up with an idea for my January BJP piece. Translating concepts into visual images is such an interesting challenge. Once you explained your piece, I immediately could see it. It's a wonderful idea you have :-)
DeleteSome of the comments (especially on my Facebook page) have been discouraging... but you, Liz, you give me hope and make this odd and unfamiliar (to me) journey seem totally worth while. Thank you!
DeleteChuck and I have talked about this for years, as the solution to so many world problems! But I didn't realize that the impact could occur so quickly. I will sit with your 'call' and see what arises for me. Thank you for sharing, Robin.
ReplyDeleteThank you and bless you, Vicki!
DeleteAHA, I don't know how I got it wrong. What a great concept to change the world and I agree with you. Are you familiar with Hawaii artist John Petre? He does a painting called "over population" that is fabulous. He is a friend of mine. http://www.johnpitre.com/socio.html
ReplyDeleteI have included the link. Thank you Robin.
Wow, you know him personally! That's fantastic. I'm glad he influenced you and your husband. I think I've seen his work before, but never that awesome one about overpopulation. Thanks for adding the link to the blog post ... by the way, it's added twice... shall I delete one of them?
DeleteI agree. The world is overpopulated and it is only getting worse. For my husband and I it is a case of 1+1=0, but I fully support the 1+1=1 concept. Will think about what I could create to support your call.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene! I'm going to start a Face Book page for this. Are you on FB? Doesn't matter if you're not... just doing it and posting it/showing it anywhere supports to concept. Yay!
DeleteIt's a great idea 1+1=1, I defiantly agree with your line of thinking and the more I think about it the more I can see the knock on affect. I just have one but... It's only a small one, I have twins.
ReplyDeleteTwins now and then wouldn't upset the balance of things. Some people would not have any kids. Thanks for your support of the idea, and have fun with your two sweethearts.
DeleteI am expecting my 3rd child, it is a late surprise from Nature, but I do not think overpopulation is the biggest problem. Just think about all the wars, epidemics, famines, natural disasters ; Nature can wipe off thousands in a few moments. In Europe, should there be no immigration, there would be a decrease in population. But in my opinion the core problem is greed and disrespect. I expect that in a few years the absurd belief in constant economic growth will collapse, it will be a wake up call that may bring a change of civilisation.
ReplyDeleteDo not despair Robin, I think 1+1+1+1+1+1+.... can bring the change we want, look what you did with the Bead Journal Project, wasn't that fantastic ? With Hugs. Hélène
Oh Hélène... how nice to hear from you! It's been quite a while. Congratulations on your forthcoming 3rd child. My mom had a late surprise too, my sister who is 16 years younger than me. I'm so grateful for her. And I understand how one-child families have some difficulties, not the least of which is the loneliness of the one child. I also agree that greed and disrespect are a big issue. Maybe you're right about economic collapse or natural forces that decrease the population. Still, population continues to grow. As there are more people to be greedy and disrespectful, the problems get worse. So, I just put it out there, my belief that world-wide, voluntary, population reduction is the root cure.
DeleteOn a happier subject, have you taken at look at the new Bead Journal Project on Facebook? Here's a link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/177095035820297/ Many members from the first two-three years are back!
Hugs back atcha!
I agree some lessening of the number of children would help but so would overeating. Look around and you will see almost everyone is overweight these days. Everywhere. China has now become number one (and remember they have the one-child rule) in diabetes due to diet changes. They have become huge importers of beef while Americans have cut back some. Then there is the idea of what to eat. If we all ate meat only once or twice a week, pollution from animals which surpasses cars (yes, really!) would decrease and we'd need less water on crops to feed them saving it for crops that directly go into our bodies. I think a decrease in population is good and I love your bead piece. I just think we need a broader change than this!
ReplyDeleteHi Timaree... great hearing from you! Yes, I agree there are many things we can do to help, and many of us are. I get that. But to bring the planet back into a healthy state will, bottom line, require less human consumers, many less. Just think what we could do with one generation only of 1+1=1! OK... sorry, I don't want to get preachy about it... Thanks for everything you do!
DeleteHi Robin. This is a lovely piece and a great post. Thank you for the forthcoming tutorial on how to bead in the round. I have loved this technique ever since I first saw it done. I believe my first sight was in your book, Beaded Embellishment, and the pieces were done by Amy Clarke.
ReplyDeleteI AM a political person...VERY political. My personal and political opinion of the cause of stress on our poor earth is GREED. The greed of users and especially the greed of those that choose to increase their wealth and that of their stockholders at the expense of our environment.
Good luck with your movement. I suspect that there are more in disagreement with your concept than you would imagine. Just mention birth control as watch the reaction ~lol~.
xx, Carol
Hi Carol... Nice to hear from you! Yes, you're right about Amy Clarke. I'll try to get that posted Sunday, or next week.
DeleteI agree with you that there will be many in disagreement with me. That's OK... But I still feel the need to do something... For now, this is all I can do.
I also agree with you and Hélène that greed is definitely part of the problem. Yet, more people just means more greed. Less people, on the other hand, would mean less greed. So I'm still for looking at voluntary efforts to reduce population as the bottom line solution.
I don't know... it's so sad....
HI Robin, I have 4 children, 1 of whom is a result of China's 1 child only policy which really means wanting 1 son only. The 1 child only plan simply won't work. Teaching women and girls math and to read and write improves the entire family's well being, which in turn leads to naturally smaller but increasingly better educated generations regardless of where they live.
ReplyDeleteI live in British Columbia, a resource-based province currently facing many enviromental crises. The federal government is pushing for building two pipelines, one has the potential to ruin our irreplacable coastline--another could foul American waterways. The Pine Beattle has devasted vast tracts of B.C.'s forests and is still going strong. The provincial government plans to start natural gas fracking which will ruin the ground water and our precious salmon stocks are dwindling rapidly. And let's not talk about the plastic vortexes, 7 at last count, swirling about in the world's oceans.
It can be very depressing and leave one feeling rather hopefless, but I refuse to give into that. As 1 person, I can choose not to buy overly packaged products, buy locally made and grown items, make fewer trips in my vehicle, recycle everything possible, and teach my kids to do the same. These are all small things, but combined they can make a huge impact. I judge this based on garbage day alone--we put out one very small bag of true garbage, my neighbours put out multiple full cans.
My spinning and knitting keep me sane and looking at your beautiful beading makes me very happy. I will have to walk to my local library and take out one of your books soon. And yes, I will most likely start reading it while enjoying a coffee at my favourite little cafe--I can't feel guilty about everything....
Truly enjoy your blog, beading, and thoughts,
Cat
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Cat. Living just a few miles south of BC, I have been there many times and have witnessed the devastation of the Pine Beatles. I too am depressed, feeling hopeless about all the things you mention. Thank you for everything you do to help. And yes, I also turn to hand work (in my case, quilting, knitting and beading) for moments of peace and harmony.
DeleteAs I understand it, in China, the 1 child program was government enforced and not popular, especially in rural China. My idea is probably not very realistic, but it is that a few artists could start a world-wide movement toward voluntary 1 child families. Who knows... it's just the one thing I can think of to try.
Wow Robin, you surprised me with this! That is certainly not what I guessed. However, I certainly do see your point and its validity. The thing that has bothered me over the years and has been one of my major sources of depression most of my adult life has been the sheer numbers of people of every age who have been touched by violence and anger and ignorance and war and .... the millions of lives in this world that have been ended in the names of other things and it overwhelms me to despair. And the only thing that I can ever come up with to solve any problem that is happening in our world is a step towards kindness and understanding, tolerance and love. I realize this doesn't have an immediate impact on world population and the demands we put on this earth, but it IS a step towards living on an earth that is worth saving...
ReplyDeleteWhat a hard nut is that to crack!
ReplyDeleteThe state of humanity is depressing, and with it the state of the world. The thing that gets me most is that, while I am sitting in front of my laptop in peace, there are wars, suppression, unjustified imprisonment, torture going on all over the place, not to mention exploitation of resources, greed and stupidity. What to do? I don't know. There is not the one single path that will clear up the mess we have made. In my own small way, I mostly try to live as careful as possible, and though not a fiercely political person, I do take to the streets to protest if I feel it will help. I know, all that is not enough, but it is better than nothing.
Robin, I wish you luck with your campaign from all my heart. However, even if lots of people the world over catch on, it will only be the famous "drop on a hot stone". How many generations will 1 + 1 = 1 take to make even a small difference? One generation only, in my opinion, is wish thinking. And how is it going to work, anyway?
China, for several reasons, is in the process of loosening the one-child policy. For one thing, baby girls have been killed as sons are more valued. Now there is a vast surplus of young men. The human factor again.
One of the biggest powers with a huge following, the catholic church, is not in favour of contraception. How long will it take the leaders to rethink?
Someone here mentioned it before: Education is a basis of conscious thinking and decisions. There is progress in this field, slow progress.
I am really sorry for my harsh comment. I don't mean to be nasty by any means, but I don't see the light. Have I got anything better to offer than your idea? No, unfortunately not.
Sabine - I don't think you were harsh, just honest and I agree with you 100%. It's sobering and disheartening and can be very, very depressing. Every one of us humans living carefully is only one tiny step.
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