Everyone today talks about "going green" or throws around the term "sustainability," but do people really know what these ideas mean? Does everyone in society truly take actions towards becoming more green? Or do people just throw these terms around trying to cast a certain self-image? There is a huge disconnect between what people think they know and what they actually know about the current environmental issues. A little over a year ago, Richard Matthews wrote an
article that described Americans' misconceptions about the green movements. Matthews explains how,
"more Americans than in previous years 1) think that they're doing more than they really are, 2) think that they're doing all that they can, or 3) think that they've done enough already. All three of these perceptions are troubling because they increase resistance to taking on the more substantial home improvements that truly reduce energy consumption."
What Matthews points out is scary for any future success in green initiatives and movements. People must completely understand the cause of all the environmental issues and what exactly they can do to help. Despite what some may think, simply recycling cans and bottles is not enough. There are larger actions that must be taken by everyone around the globe in order to truly reduce the consumption rate of natural resources.
In addition to the large group of people lacking knowledge about the environment, there are also those who flat out don't care. Either not interested or perhaps too well off to worry about these issues, the fact that people honestly don't care about the environment is absurd. Take global warming for instance. In a recent post on
Call a Spade a Spade, the author discusses the severity of climate change and global warming. The post describes how these issues are not just a problem to be brushed off and hope that others take care of the mess, but rather it is a "global issue
and only the global community will be able to reverse and overcome it." With all of the money being invested into these go green initiatives, they must create future benefits to the environment. This will not happen unless every person on this Earth realizes the severity of the situation and actively participates to transform society into a more sustainable community.
I think that all of your points are completely valid. However, my only problem is that you never address education. How can people take significant steps toward being green if they do not really know what other steps exist? For those who choose not to do the minimal (recycling), I would like to assume it is because they are unaware of the severity of their inaction. Can you pose some plausible ways people can become more educated on what going green looks like?
ReplyDeleteGood point with education- I agree and thought about it before this post. One of the roots of this problem is lack of education. This is where I feel that both the leaders of the go green initiatives along with the general public have failed. The ones in charge of the initiatives have failed to make a honest effort to educate before implementing. And the public don't take the initiative to research the issues on their own. I personally do not have any answer to this problem- hence the reason I did not raise the issue in the post. But in regards to your other point regarding those who fail to do the minimum (recycling)- I honestly think a large amount of people are just too lazy to take the minimal time and effort to sort their garbage from recyclables- preferring the ease of the one trash bag system. Another effect of people being too lazy these days.
ReplyDeleteAs the commentator ChurchHouseMouse hinted, education, as with many other issues is usually the primary key to a successful outcome. However, education regarding green efforts in the U.S. is something that I personally believe the government and private companies have already done through various programs and marketing schemes to make the general public aware of the issue. I am not saying that the government or private sector have been complete with their information, but I don’t think they need to be. Those who are truly concerned with the issue have/ will seek out further information on the issue. The bigger problem here is that many people just don’t care. Not long ago a friend of mine from the state of Washington stated he was unaware of the recycling programs that give people money for recycling bottles and cans, sometimes even other materials. I realize not every state like California has these recycle-for-pay programs, but most at least recycle. I suggested to my friend, that now that he was in California he should try to do the environment a favor and earn a little incentive money on the side by recycling and he simply scoffed at the idea. And this has not been the first instance of where I’ve encountered this type of response. I have gone out of my way to inform myself on the issue, but realize there is still a lot more I don’t know, but even with the little I know, it is still enough to concern me and lead me to do even a little to help future generations and the environment.
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