Why is America not facing up to the challenge of global warming and sustainability?

Why is America not facing up to the challenge of global warming and the imperative of achieving sustainability (for 7-9 billion! people) on our finite and vulnerable planet, before a ruthless mother nature (who is already "warming up" for the job) does it for us?

The answer lies in most people's response to the question, which is simply to dismiss it.

Most Americans do not see global warming and sustainability as a major problem or a challenge, or if they do, they think it is their government's responsibility to sort out by diverting tax dollars into the development of renewables and perhaps making a few minor policy changes. On the whole, however, Americans believe that America, being the freest, most wealthy and powerful nation on Earth, is doing just fine as it is.

How do you convince someone who is so much wealthier and more powerful than oneself - and having a great time, high on drugs they are addicted to, but which blind them to reality and the damage being done, not just to their own health, but also to the health of their unborn child - that if they want that child to survive they have to get off the drugs (they don't even recognise) and turn their life around?

That's the problem I'm facing here.

Maybe the best time to try is when they are experiencing a bit of a low and are thus more inclined to question whether their life is really as great as at other times (when on a high) they tend to imagine.

So if you are feeling a bit low (or for some other reason, feel inclined to question the meaning and purpose of your own and the American way of life) read on, and follow the links.

There's a wise, and in this context very applicable, saying which goes, "no one is as blind as he who will not see".

We (I'm not an American, but an English cousin) are totally immersed in and dependent upon an economy and way of life which (on our finite and vulnerable planet) are inherently and fundamentally unsustainable. It is as simple as that. But being totally immersed and dependent means that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to see. Nor does anyone want to have it pointed out them.

I'm pointing it out now, but the chances are, you do not see it, so you think I'm mistaken, a crank, and dismiss it.

So where does that leave us?

I'm like a tramp who approaches a fine and confident gentleman striding down the street, in order to warn him of a great danger I've seen up ahead. But he thinks I'm just making a nuisance of myself, smiles condescendingly and strides on past. If I plead with him he might throw me a coin before continuing; if I touch him he may strike me, or call the police. There seems to be no way that I can prevent him continuing on his way.

Links: Concerning the root causes of non-sustainable human activity on our finite and vulnerable planet, Spaceship Earth.

To: op-ed@nytimes.com Re: Why is America not facing up to the challenge of global warming and sustainability? Date: Thursday 6 April 06

Why is America not facing up to the challenge of global warming and the imperative of achieving sustainability (for 7-9 billion! people) on our finite and vulnerable planet, before a ruthless mother nature (who is already "warming up" for the job) does it for us? The answer lies in most people's response to the question, which is simply to dismiss it. Most Americans do not see global warming and sustainability as a major problem or a challenge, or if they do, they think it is their government's responsibility to sort out by diverting tax dollars into the development of renewables and perhaps making a few minor policy changes. On the whole, however, Americans believe that America, being the freest, most wealthy and powerful nation on Earth, is doing just fine as it is. How do you convince someone who is so much wealthier and more powerful than oneself - and having a great time, high on drugs they are addicted to, but which blind them to reality and the damage being done, not just to their own health, but also to the health of their unborn child - that if they want that child to survive they have to get off the drugs (they don't even recognise) and turn their life around? That's the problem I'm facing here. Maybe the best time to try is when they are experiencing a bit of a low and are thus more inclined to question whether their life is really as great as at other times (when on a high) they tend to imagine. So if you are feeling a bit low (or for some other reason, feel inclined to question the meaning and purpose of your own and the American way of life) read on, and follow the links. There's a wise, and in this context very applicable, saying which goes, "no one is as blind as he who will not see". We (I'm not an American, but an English cousin) are totally immersed in and dependent upon an economy and way of life which (on our finite and vulnerable planet) are inherently and fundamentally unsustainable. It is as simple as that. But being totally immersed and dependent means that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to see. Nor does anyone want to have it pointed out them. I'm pointing it out now, but the chances are, you do not see it, so you think I'm mistaken, a crank, and dismiss it. So where does that leave us? I'm like a tramp who approaches a fine and confident gentleman striding down the street, in order to warn him of a great danger I've seen up ahead. But he thinks I'm just making a nuisance of myself, smiles condescendingly and strides on past. If I plead with him he might throw me a coin before continuing; if I touch him he may strike me, or call the police. There seems to be no way that I can prevent him continuing on his way. Links: Concerning the root causes of non-sustainable human activity on our finite and vulnerable planet, Spaceship Earth.