LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 12/10/07
STOP BEING STUPID ABOUT GREEN
My friend Joe shakes his head and laughs when talk turns to the environment or carbon footprints or living green. "I've been doing all of that stuff for years. I can't get any greener," he says.
Poor Joe. He has no idea that recycling glass and driving a fuel efficient car is little more than symbolic. Even Al Gore, in his December 10 acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, said, "We must abandon the conceit that individual, isolated, private actions are the answer. They can and do help. But they will not take us far enough without collective action."
Gore is right. He points out that the debate over global warming is past; the issue is undeniable, and now we must stop debating and begin to look for solutions. He notes that "massive changes ...are now necessary to solve the crisis," but Gore's suggestions of "bold mandates" and "quick mobilization of our civilization" are too general to provide real direction---or even a definitive starting point.
No one wants to face the truth: to save the planet, we humans are going to have to give up much of our modern life style; including the way we consume. In many ways, we will have to go backwards.
Life today, especially in America, is based on convenience and comfort. Flip a switch and lights come on, move a lever and the furnace starts making heat. Want ice cream? Choose from a dozen nearby stores, get in the car and go buy it.
But the light and heat come from power plants that emit planet-warming carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Driving does the same. And the ice cream? It was shipped many miles by a polluting truck, to a store which uses massive amounts of polluting energy to keep products cold and well-lit. Measure your few florescent light bulbs against that.
Even global benefits from conserving light and heat and resisting impulse trips for groceries fade against our culture of consumerism. People who gave up bottled water for the sake of the planet still want more new clothing for the holidays. People who recycle cans still want a new car because the one they have is old, or want new furniture or a bigger TV or just---more. Having lots of stuff---the newest style, the newest phone, a new car, is a mark of accomplishment. Conspicuous consumers with huge homes and status symbol toys are admired and honored. How can planet-savers fight against established culture?
Gore pointed out in his speech that it's hard for people to be alarmed over a threat they can't see, that doesn't affect them personally. He says, "No one should believe a solution will be found without effort, without cost, without change."
But aside from a few symbolic efforts, there has been little acknowledgment of global problems in our lifestyles, little change. No one wants to give up modern conveniences. No one wants to give up standards of cleanliness. Yet in an age of current and looming water shortages, taking a daily shower or washing a car is just stupid.
It's obvious that the search for solutions must begin with lowering the high levels of consumption; especially by Americans. But it also includes using resources more wisely. Why should people commute to an office if they can do their job at home? Think of the gas saved, the pollution prevented, if half the office work force telecommuted---which would also save wear and tear on roads and the need for office space, office furniture, office heating and lighting and air conditioning. Has anyone ever calculated the carbon footprint of one office worker?
Gore talks about the fact that we must act, and do it quickly, because "these are the last few years of decision..." But we have yet to decide on a starting point. Should there be a limit on how much electricity a person is allowed to use? Should there be a special tax on new non-grocery items? Should a law be passed that government tax breaks for the oil crowd be matched by a similar sum for renewable energy research?
We need to be thinking about potential solutions, not just waiting for something to happen. Otherwise, our fate will be summed up by an old bumper sticker from the previous green go-round back in the 1970's---"The environment: mankind's last fad."
Wina Sturgeon