This has been a crappy week for the planet. You don't need me to summarize what's happened or to dwell on what it all means; plenty of other people can do that for you. My niche is offering positive, viable eco-socialist visions for the future. So that's what I'm going to do today, both because it's important to plan for success and because crises like the ones we're experiencing open the door to radical change of all kinds.
So, what can humanity do to regenerate and improve our planet on a grand scale? How can we heal from the long nightmare of petro-capitalism and start a new ecological and social Golden Age? What will be our generation's Space Race? Here are some ideas:
Long Trails That Circle The Globe
It's another day on the trail. You crest a high ridge and the hut lays before you: a solid two-story stone structure with a wooly thatched roof, a spacious wooden deck, and a small crowd of chatty people drinking beer and hanging clothes to dry in the warm mountain sun. You stride down the trail, taking in the merry scene and looking forward to another night in the warmth of a well-built structure, the comfort of a soft bed, and the taste of a good meal after walking ten miles through glorious mountain scenery.
You've accumulated too many work hours these past few years, so at the insistence of your cooperative, you're taking the year off to walk one of the new long trails. Built by a global initiative employing tens of millions, the long trails crisscross the planet, offering transportation, recreation, ecological restoration, and work for many.