For centuries our civilisation has been under the delusion that it is separate from the web of life. This is the most dangerous lie in history. As the world burns and sea levels rise, we have to get organised. But first — how did we get into this mess?

Humanity is nature. We have evolved — and continue to evolve — as part of a living ecosystem. For hundred of thousands of years, humans lived in balance with the land. It fed us, provided shelter, medicinal plants, beauty, spiritual meaning, and joy. We understood that cooperation, solidarity, and democracy were not only necessary to survival, but that they made life worth living.

For 5000 years, states have stolen the common land from the people. From the Romans to the Norman aristocracy, our island has been robbed by one group of tyrants after the other. Our ancestors fought and died in their millions in countless peasant revolts, motivated by a deep love of their land. The Palestinian and Kurdish liberation struggles are a continuation of this legacy.

The state has achieved almost total power, not only through force, but also through ideology. We are indoctrinated from birth with the lie that domination is natural, that life is without meaning or value, and that nature exists for us to exploit. If nothing is sacred, then life is cheap. The delusion that humanity is separate from and above nature is the root of the ecological crises we face today.

Now, the ecosystems we depend upon are on the brink of collapse. The agriculture that feeds us all relies on weather patterns that have been stable for centuries. We are seeing a catastrophic increase in extreme weather, flash floods, megadroughts, wildfires, new diseases, soil erosion, and pollinator exctinction.

Asking the state to fix the climate crisis is like asking an axe murderer to perform surgery to save their victim.

The only way for humanity to survive is to rediscover our inherent connection to life and land. We need to take back the commons, grow food locally, and rewild our ecosystems. But most importantly, we have to rewild our hearts.

None of this will be possible without developing the power to make decisions for ourselves locally — whilst collaborating with communities around the world who are in the same boat.

We need 2,000 people to sign the pledge to support the Hull People’s Assembly. Help us build real democracy by adding your name today.

27 June 2024

By Cooperation Hull