Our Common Problems and Solutions
Our Common Problems and Solutions
Those with the most power in our society are, naturally, the least likely to want any kind of changes to destabilize their comfortable situations. So proposed changes must be desirable or at least acceptable to these key decisionmakers. For the most part the comfortable elite are reluctant to jeopardize their advantageous positions. So, regardless of how bad things get for some or all of the rest of us - or how available good changes are - we're still going to be stuck on stupid until those on top recognize their own benefit with the proposed changes.
Take coal, for instance. It doesn't matter that there are so many possible alternative ways to generate energy. It doesn't matter that all our lungs suffer for the profits of a few, or that - as with other fossil fuels - excessive CO2 production is destabilizing Earth's climate more and more each year - and at a faster rate more recently. Coal is the status quo energy of choice. Big industrial users and mininig concerns have lobbyists with big bucks and plenty of time to pretend the world's use of coal is okay. But it's not. The pollution from this and other fossil fuels is becoming unbearable for the planet and all living on it. Coal mining is literally leveling the most gorgeous state of West Virginia, which has been called "Almost Heaven" for good reason.
Behind the scenes ones who want to do so many good things are often targeted as enemies by those who see no reason to change. For those who know that the changes would be for the good of all, the job is either to attract the contented powerful ones with possible better futures or to convince them that they are in trouble too.
It may be dangerous to speak out, but not speaking has it's dangers too. Think what's going to happen if we let things drift the way they are going now. Maybe the melting of the tundra will release so much CO2 as the previously frozen vegetation rots that it won't matter if we drastically cut our burning of fossil fuels.
Maybe some other feedback mechanism will precipitate abrupt rather than slow climate change.
Maybe the ozone layer will become so damaged as to blind a large percentage of animals on Earth. When are we going to stop thinking we are solving problems by selling and buying uv-b eyeglasses and cataract surgeries and admit that we'll NEVER be able to handle the damage to all human and other animals' eyes by the increasing levels of ultraviolet light entering our atmosphere? And eyes are not the only things damaged. Ocean life and productivity is being affected, and there are agricultural problems.
It's easier to enjoy what we have personally rather than look for ways to make the pie bigger for all. But working for the common good is the only way to be able to enjoy looking toward a better future.
Forget your scariest book or movie; imagining and discussing what may actually be OUR future on Earth requires far more courage. Open your eyes or you don't have a chance. Act like you're powerless and you will be. We're all parts of the problems; only by trying to be parts of the solutions can we avoid making enemies of each other.
Use your imagination. Talk about the problems we all share. Cry about them, scream about them - whatever it takes to get us into gear. Because it's getting unbearable to let things go the way they are.
Unbearable for EVERYBODY.
Those with the most power in our society are, naturally, the least likely to want any kind of changes to destabilize their comfortable situations. So proposed changes must be desirable or at least acceptable to these key decisionmakers. For the most part the comfortable elite are reluctant to jeopardize their advantageous positions. So, regardless of how bad things get for some or all of the rest of us - or how available good changes are - we're still going to be stuck on stupid until those on top recognize their own benefit with the proposed changes.
Take coal, for instance. It doesn't matter that there are so many possible alternative ways to generate energy. It doesn't matter that all our lungs suffer for the profits of a few, or that - as with other fossil fuels - excessive CO2 production is destabilizing Earth's climate more and more each year - and at a faster rate more recently. Coal is the status quo energy of choice. Big industrial users and mininig concerns have lobbyists with big bucks and plenty of time to pretend the world's use of coal is okay. But it's not. The pollution from this and other fossil fuels is becoming unbearable for the planet and all living on it. Coal mining is literally leveling the most gorgeous state of West Virginia, which has been called "Almost Heaven" for good reason.
Behind the scenes ones who want to do so many good things are often targeted as enemies by those who see no reason to change. For those who know that the changes would be for the good of all, the job is either to attract the contented powerful ones with possible better futures or to convince them that they are in trouble too.
It may be dangerous to speak out, but not speaking has it's dangers too. Think what's going to happen if we let things drift the way they are going now. Maybe the melting of the tundra will release so much CO2 as the previously frozen vegetation rots that it won't matter if we drastically cut our burning of fossil fuels.
Maybe some other feedback mechanism will precipitate abrupt rather than slow climate change.
Maybe the ozone layer will become so damaged as to blind a large percentage of animals on Earth. When are we going to stop thinking we are solving problems by selling and buying uv-b eyeglasses and cataract surgeries and admit that we'll NEVER be able to handle the damage to all human and other animals' eyes by the increasing levels of ultraviolet light entering our atmosphere? And eyes are not the only things damaged. Ocean life and productivity is being affected, and there are agricultural problems.
It's easier to enjoy what we have personally rather than look for ways to make the pie bigger for all. But working for the common good is the only way to be able to enjoy looking toward a better future.
Forget your scariest book or movie; imagining and discussing what may actually be OUR future on Earth requires far more courage. Open your eyes or you don't have a chance. Act like you're powerless and you will be. We're all parts of the problems; only by trying to be parts of the solutions can we avoid making enemies of each other.
Use your imagination. Talk about the problems we all share. Cry about them, scream about them - whatever it takes to get us into gear. Because it's getting unbearable to let things go the way they are.
Unbearable for EVERYBODY.
posted by St. Jim the Composter at 12:39 PM
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