12.02.2007

An Argument to Save the World



The only issue I have with this is that talking about it is not enough. We need to take specific actions. I know my personal take is to consume less and more responsibly. We all live way beyond our needs. Secondly, learn some basic survival skills-- they might do you well when you're forced out of your comfort zone. Thirdly-- think seriously about your future-- politically, communally, and emotionally-- and what you need to do to live sustainably in each of these contexts.

'Everything passes, everything changes, just do what you think you should do'- Bob Dylan

4 comments:

Alexandre said...

I really like your attitude. It's actually what brought me here in the first place (through your video on ze's "scared of something").
In terms of global climate change, we seem to agree that "doing our part" doesn't mean "imposing our views on what others should do to do their parts." At least, the Dylan quote seems to relate to a respectful approach to change. Forcing your views on somebody is likely to make that person react with a knee-jerk while acting responsibly is likely to set an example.

Your three points are well-put and well-taken. In my mind, your approach may lead to a healthy and sustainable life. Not devoid of worries. But able to cope with worries.

Thank you. Really.

Anonymous said...

Locally, policy makers know about this and would choose to take action. What is keeping them from it is the general populace which in large part is ruled by emotion and sentimentality and lack of education.

For example, our mayor wanted to cut back on the Christmas lights to save money and was met with people ready to recall him.

A new school is being built and when the superintendent was asked if it would be a green building he really did think it was a discussion about color scheme. The mayor corrected him and explained that though it was beneficial to everyone and the environment in the long run, the taxpayers wanted the immediate gratification of lower materials costs.

There are hundreds of examples. I don't think policy makers are uncaring and unaware across the board. I do think that the general populace is unaware of what they can do to take action or even that it is necessary.

I did a Terrapass inventory a while back with a young disadvantaged mother to see if she could afford to lower her carbon footprint. She would have to get two more jobs.

Too many words to say that I agree. When Gore's movie cam out it was a clicking maze to find practical applications. Now it is a tiny bit better.

Strangely, the light bulb industry is the only one I see on shelves making an impact. People will spend more for the new bulbs. Almost everyone does it. They may really just have the brightest marketing idea around. Print the savings on the products and mean it.

Sorry for the ramble. Just blog surfing and getting caught up in the zeitgeists.

Anonymous said...

Hey, you gt me thinking about action with this. So I asked about it and went to the manpollo site. They have two links to places that gives myriad things a person can do.

here is the link:
http://www.manpollo.org/action/personal/personal.html

Sorry. I do not know how to html that sucker to make it look pretty.

southern horizons3 said...

I sense that you observe and appreciate the biologically tension of our place within the natural world.

"I know my personal take is to consume less ...... We all live way beyond our needs"

Well said lady - I second your motion. This is a prudent formula.

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