The topic at hand:
Paralysis in Chaos
(apologies in advance for the preachy tone)
(apologies in advance for the preachy tone)
Here's the question-Why do we acknowledge that we are facing major environmental catastrophes, and yet act as if they don't exist? For that matter, why do we acknowledge any problem, poverty, drug abuse, human rights violations, etc., and then not work towards a solution.
Are we calloused? Are we desensitized? Is it human nature to not care until the issue directly affects us? Or, are we just downright lethargic, soulless egocentric, snobby, god forbid I say it, fat, Americans who love nothing then to watch others fail?
Nope.
No, I don't believe its any of those, or at-least those aren't the game changers.
I think we are just overwhelmed.
We are bombarded with more information than ever before; from Lipitor adds telling us heart attacks are lurking around the corner, to the NY Times pleasantly informing us about a recent airport bombing in Russia.
What happened to the good ole days before t.v; a time when your greatest problem was that your cow was infertile?
Well, they're gone, and we're tired of looking up at a growing pile of issues. Our necks are hurting so we stop staring and go play x-box.
COD
So what does this have to do with sustainability? Well, if we want to have a pretty planet, and sushi, and timber, and ultimately peace, we need to stop ignoring the pile.
And if your not buying that we have environmental problems go read a national geographic.
It is downright depressing.
But, the fact is it is reality and we need to embrace the hope and....
Take action!
We need to feel empowered, and realize we don't have to do it all, just what we can.
Just what you can
I found it quite amusing when this same question was the starting point of Al Gores book, Earth In Balance; there is something about saving the planet that brings up the same questions.
and that's another thing...
I am noticing a hefty amount of repetition in the books I am reading. The same phrases appear again and again in these "green " books: sprawl, global warming, organic, wales, peak oil. sustainability is a hackneyed phrase. It applies to too much, and thus almost nothing. Im going to come up with my own phrases.
Resovicentiminism.
Are we calloused? Are we desensitized? Is it human nature to not care until the issue directly affects us? Or, are we just downright lethargic, soulless egocentric, snobby, god forbid I say it, fat, Americans who love nothing then to watch others fail?
Nope.
No, I don't believe its any of those, or at-least those aren't the game changers.
I think we are just overwhelmed.
We are bombarded with more information than ever before; from Lipitor adds telling us heart attacks are lurking around the corner, to the NY Times pleasantly informing us about a recent airport bombing in Russia.
What happened to the good ole days before t.v; a time when your greatest problem was that your cow was infertile?
Well, they're gone, and we're tired of looking up at a growing pile of issues. Our necks are hurting so we stop staring and go play x-box.
COD
So what does this have to do with sustainability? Well, if we want to have a pretty planet, and sushi, and timber, and ultimately peace, we need to stop ignoring the pile.
And if your not buying that we have environmental problems go read a national geographic.
It is downright depressing.
But, the fact is it is reality and we need to embrace the hope and....
Take action!
We need to feel empowered, and realize we don't have to do it all, just what we can.
Just what you can
I found it quite amusing when this same question was the starting point of Al Gores book, Earth In Balance; there is something about saving the planet that brings up the same questions.
and that's another thing...
I am noticing a hefty amount of repetition in the books I am reading. The same phrases appear again and again in these "green " books: sprawl, global warming, organic, wales, peak oil. sustainability is a hackneyed phrase. It applies to too much, and thus almost nothing. Im going to come up with my own phrases.
Resovicentiminism.
Daily Diddlydaddle:
Shout out to.....
My mama for picking up Liz Walker's book Choosing a Sustainable Future
The flamboyant Ryan Hallisey, and beautiful Melinda Casey for the rides
and Nick Bellisario for being a good sport about me getting his seats all sweaty after workouts,
and for telling me that diesel trucks now use a urea-injection exhaust to emit less pollution.
(yes urea, as in sweat.)
Sometimes saving the world is gross
Marcel: So then, how to focus YOUR efforts? What kind of information impacts people? Causes them to act? Is there a research area about sociology or psychology here that would help your efforts? How can you get the greatest number of people to make the most significant impact on the planet? Can we learn anything about social protest from the people of Egypt that will help the environmental cause? What will enrage us to the point of wanting to protect our planet more than anything else? I think heading towards community work is a good idea. No man is an island.
ReplyDeleteAlso: plan some stuff. I like the thoughtfulness of your posts and the funny bits about trying to film yourself while cycling and filming at the same time. What do you think about biking as sustainable transportation? Is it important for you to bike if your neighbors offer you rides? How can families reduce their gas consumption? Is it better to live in an Urban area so that the required travel is decreased? Is it selfish to live in he country?
Get some goals down. Let's think about that now.
Oh, and happy skiing in VT!