One of the problems with the modern environmental movement is that it’s more about politics than protecting the environment. Instead of focusing on a cause that everyone has reason to support, it’s become a controversial debate across party lines. Many people seem more concerned with who wins the debate than what happens to the planet.
Why should people have to choose between protecting the environment and supporting free trade? Why is there an us vs. them mentality? How much of what you hear is real and what is hype?
It doesn’t make much sense, and the controversy leads to more confusion and less action. Protecting the environment is a duty, not an argument to be won or lost. By turning it into a debate, we forget the real issue and everyone loses.
Instead of protesting or arguing, forget about the political aspect of protecting the environment and focus on what you can do to help on an individual level.
In my mind, living greener boils down to 2 simple principles:
- Use only what you need - How often do we waste food and energy, simply because we have an abundance? Small things like turning off lights, taking shorter showers, or driving a more efficient car make a tremendous difference when millions of people do them.
- Leave the earth cleaner than you found it - Strive to be a positive influence on your surroundings by cleaning up the waste you create and then some. If everyone lived by this there wouldn’t be a problem.
If we can all strive to do a little better every day, not only will the earth a cleaner, safer place, but we’ll become more thoughtful and harmonious individuals.
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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[…] We all have to start taking personal responsibility for the enviroment. […]
Couldn’t agree more! I wrote a similar post a while back about the importance of the sustainability movement. (http://www.mccamon.org/home/?p=87 and http://www.mccamon.org/home/?p=75). If we all just took care of ourselves the problem would be fixed. Sadly it will never happen.
True, the chances of everyone starting to take responsbility are low, but making a small personal effort will do a lot more to help than all the protesting and attention mongering that goes on.
[…] PickTheBrain - Instead of protesting or arguing, forget about the political aspect of protecting the environment and focus on what you can do to help on an individual level. […]
It seems to me that it’s a clear case of sorting out What’s in it for me? (WIIFM) versus What’s in it for you and me (WIIFYM)
Politicians are WIIFM and they wrap their personal agendas in a thin veneer of WIIFYM.
Taking personal responsibility is definitely a more ‘authentic’ version of WIIFM because the future of where me and my descendents live is at stake.
Lofty appeals to grand values won’t work either as these are too remote from individual experience and power.
Leading from the ground up and ignoring celebo-politics to rot is the answer. There isn’t a leadership gene to share amongst them.
Great post! I think the whole point comes down to the fact that we can all do something. Small changes really do add up. And as long as everyone realizes that, we’re well on our way to a better planet.
Controversy does lead to more confusion and less action.
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[…] reward of doing right and making good choices for the higher good of all. I recognize that I have a responsibility to not only have positive actions, but thoughts, words and intentions towards others and to act […]