This planet came with a set of operating instructions, but we seem to have misplaced them.

An eloquent commencement address delivered by Paul Hawkin to Class of 2009 at the University of Portland:

"When I was invited to give this speech, I was asked if I could give a simple short talk that was "direct, naked, taut, honest, passionate, lean, shivering, startling, and graceful." Boy, no pressure there.

But let's begin with the startling part. Hey, Class of 2009: you are going to have to figure out what it means to be a human being on earth at a time when every living system is declining, and the rate of decline is accelerating. Kind of a mind-boggling situation -- but not onepeer-reviewed paper published in the last thirty years can refute that statement.

Basically, the earth needs a new operating system, you are the programmers, and we need it within a few decades.

This planet came with a set of operating instructions, but we seem to have misplaced them. Important rules like don't poison the water, soil, or air, and don't let the earth get overcrowded, and don't touch the thermostat have been broken. Buckminster Fuller said that spaceship earth was so ingeniously designed that no one has a clue that we are on one, flying through the universe at a million miles per hour, with no need for seatbelts, lots of room in coach, and really good food -- but all that is changing.

There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma you will receive, and in case you didn't bring lemon juice to decode it, I can tell you what it says: YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING. The earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint. And here's the deal: Forget that this task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don't be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.

more:

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/05/23-2

Fibonacci code

found in spirals(Nautilus) flowers, leaves, bee nests, etc etc

The natural Proportion code: ratio 1 to 1.618

etcetc

Many hints as to what nature has left us to ponder, use, deduct..

"and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done"

Too many people let impossibility limit their endeavors and then allow it to blunt what actually can be done.

His book Blessed Unrest describes the largest social movement the world has ever seen. Two million or more small, independent local action groups that have formed organically (in just the last five years) in response to local dis-ease in the social and ecological environments. The groups are fully distributed across the entire planet, and carry the value set of sustainability, interdependence and social justice. The movement is totally resilient as a result of its diversity, ubiquity and the lack of any centralizing tendency.

If anything can carry us through the coming changes and plant the seeds for a truly sustainable human presence on the planet, this movement can do it.