minusfiftypercent
With humility and in the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge that my initial work on the minusfiftypercent.org initiative, in the Kootenay Boundary region, took place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sinixt, Syilx, Ktunaxa, and Secwépemc First Nations, and is home to the Métis and many diverse Aboriginal communities. I am still inspired by what we settlers can learn from the traditional ways of the indigenous peoples of Canada.
I look at my sons and I am deeply worried. For their futures. For the future of our planet Earth.
This original website was created in early 2020. We have now mid-2026, I look at the world now from a place in Europe, little has been done, the predicted temperature increase is still grim. AI advances quickly, wars and violence escalate across the globe. I look at the painful consequences of a warming climate. I look at the absence of climate protests and governments’ inaction. I look at ever increasing droughts, floods and wildfires.
I see wars, racial injustice, seemingly unstoppable consumerism, unchecked capitalism, the rise of AI, the destructive forces of social media, loneliness and the mental health challenges observed in all ages.
I don’t see the initiation of changes that are necessary.
My heart suffers at the current suffering of others and the immense suffering yet to come through the impacts of the climate breakdown.
Julius Halaschek-Wiener, PhD, creator of the minusfiftypercent movement, a past scientist (genetics/genomics, cancer cell biology & healthy aging), has confidence in the scientific conclusions of the international panel of climate scientists. He believes that we individually and collectively must change; not to pretend or merely tinker at the edges. The proposed “technical” changes, a -50% reduction of polluting and harmful behaviors, is likely the easier part, as compared to the restoration of a healthy, healing, and regenerative relationship with ourselves, others and nature.
Julius follows a life-long pursuit of simple, green and sustainable living, holistic health and well being. After living with his family for many years in rural British Columbia, Canada, he moved (back) to Austria in 2024. From the rural Canadian life to the urban European Life / the heart stayed the same – green and full of love for our home, Planet Earth. Farmers Markets, Carshare, organic food, biking and walking, energy efficiency, reducing flights to absolutely necessary ones, green electricity, resistance to consumerism etc – all these things are available in most places. We just need to chose them. The need for regenerative practices is evident, in business, health care, education, agriculture, finance and technology. Let’s prototype a new, regenerative world together. One micro-experiment at a time. Thank you!
To contact us please email: minusfiftypercent[at]gmail.com
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