I realize that I am in a rut. Every Earth Day, I say the same thing. Over 70% of the surface of this planet is covered by water, so referring to the planet as “earth” is just wrong. But be that as it may, the misnamed planet is still called “earth” and Earth Day is a worthwhile celebration of protecting the planet, both the dirt and the watery portions.
Below is a repost of a TED talk by one of the world’s great sailors, Dame Ellen MacArthur, about what she learned when she was sailing around the world alone. As she circled the globe, she began thinking about the idea of “the circular economy,” an intriguing insight. Definitely worth watching.
The surprising thing I learned sailing solo around the world | Dame Ellen MacArthur
The circular economy is a full accounting, appropriate for operating both the smaller and larger of the two space stations we have.
The smaller station is a model for how the larger ought to work; to the greatest extent possible, everything on the little space station is accounted for, has to be for otherwise it would cease to function as a habitable space.
On the little space station, constraints are recognized and respected without controversy and with avarice etc. agreed to be subordinated. Nobody can open a cigar shop on the space station because there’s no way of accounting properly for the smoke emitted from cigars, in that miniature world. Down here on the larger space station, bigger analogues to cigars are unaccounted for.
As well, devotion to the common purpose of helping the little space station operate properly has suppressed nationalist pride and parochial concerns. Even while Russia and the US are at odds in many arenas down on the larger space station, they nearly effortlessly coexist and cooperate in respect to their treatment of the little space station.
So, just from the perspective of an instructional example, the ISS is worth its monetary cost, if we bother to notice these things. 🙂
Meanwhile, back on Earth and the ocean, one of the many features and benefits of cruising in a boat: acute awareness of the economy of the boat and its crew. Water, electricity, food, sewage are all matters of accounting made plainly visible. This changes one’s perspective even ashore.
She discovered she could sail around the world in less time than it took B&Q, her sponsor, to deliver a new kitchen to a customer eight miles from the local store.