The scientific revolution of the past century has brought about nothing less than a new perception of our Society has been flooded with information about intensifying ecological instabilities, complete with warnings and threats, often backed by scientific evidence. What is clear is that most people do not respond to information, warnings and threats. Other than early adapters, we do little or nothing...just as we did little or nothing in response to years of information, warnings and threats about the perilous instability of New Orleans. It is true we cannot be sure that ecological instabilities will result in disaster. But the odds are a little skimpy for us to be gambling our children's future.
The need of the hour is for us to respond, for us to re-invent ourselves, our economies, our institutions, our communities as ecologically sustainable, economically viable, equitable and inclusive. This will take more than early adapters. It requires most of us tackling the project of sustainability on a step-by-step basis as our own personal project. There are people working for this in every community. But their numbers are not yet enough to tip the public will. The number who recognize the need is not too small. But those acting upon it are a decided minority.
So if information, warnings and threats do not move us to this necessary action, what will? It is to this question that the Ecologos Institute addressed a two-year research program. The centrepiece of the study was interviewing 230 pertinent individuals continent-wide, asking each: "What is the missing link needed to draw citizens into the for-real, hands-on project of creating a sustainable future?".
The consensus of 230 advisors became clear. They recommended that large numbers of people be exposed to ingeniously-conceived, powerfully-accessible experiences having three essential ingredients: (i) that which is life-inspiring in a deeply-felt way; (ii) that which paints a clear picture or vision of what a sustainable society will look like and how it is viable; and (iii) a direct link to immediate involvement that appeals to each individual personally.
With this, the Ecologos Institute created plans for the Universarium Traveling Fair, a travelling theme park now under development, to offer people a fun way of imbibing all three recommended tonics...inspiration, vision and participation. The creation of Universarium has been guided by a Board of Advisors that includes Thomas Berry, Don Edward Beck, Guy Dauncey, Jean Houston, Miriam Therese MacGillis, Walter Pitman, John Seed, Brian Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker. Universarium will be launched at Ontario Place on Toronto's waterfront in the autumn of 2008. After this, it will be available to visit urban regions worldwide.