In the past five years, the phrase “global warming” has descended into an almost legendary ubiquity. You’d think that such a harsh reality would have spawned a new revolution of something along the lines of that. Instead, all we got were cute-but-kitschy home living articles like “10 Ways to Save the World” or “100 Ways to Go Green – While Saving Green.” To their credit, these articles are for the most part well-intentioned – but that’s about it. Not at all what you would call hard-hitting or groundbreaking. Plenty of people out there protest, “What do you mean, we’re not making progress in the battle against global warming? Look at all these concerned people so focused on making people change their filthy ways! The Green Revolution has officially kicked off.” My response? You’re all delusional.
While these articles are certainly on the right track, they give off the impression that a few suspiciously simple lifestyle or product changes will instigate spectacular reductions in carbon emissions and place a notable damper against the nefarious wrongdoing of global warming. Therefore, they convince individuals that going green is easy and effortless. Although I agree that small acts of conservation and energy awareness can add up in households, it’s not enough. Not even close. A Green Revolution is by no means easy, nor is it characterized by little changes. It’s about innovation and sometimes drastic long-term modifications in life and society. Unlike the suggestions of articles, which make people adopt a complacent attitude about “saving the world,” the most prodigious leaps made against environmental destruction really capture the gist and scale of the issue – we’ve dug ourselves in this so deep with carbon dioxide and pollutant spewing machines and buildings, that it’s going to take years – and a stronger backhoe – to get us all out.
First of all, people-pleasing government officials need to stop worrying so much about so-called “convenience”. When asked if American officials should change their lifestyles in a green movement, former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said, “That’s a big no.” What an incredibly productive mindset. If we don’t change our ways, we’ll end up killing ourselves with our own emissions – think of it as choking on your own spit.
The same goes for legislation. We know that Corporate America loves lobbying so that emission and fuel standard restrictions stay low; unless the legislative branch really steps up and refuses to let itself be sucked up to, no problems will ever be resolved. Sure, we like to think that everyone’s an idealist, but let’s be honest; the only reason a lot of companies adhere to standards – often just barely – is because it’s the law. We need more innovation in these areas, that’s true – but in a substantial number of cases we have the means, but we just need the implementation. And implementation is achieved by increasing efficiency standards, which, in the U.S., have actually decreased on average over the past 30 years and have essentially flat lined in the present day. With a little legislation, despite what may be unpopular in the short-term, the long-term results are indubitable. Take a look at Denmark. In little more than two decades, they managed to reduce their dependence on foreign oil to essentially zero, and the economy still flourished. We could learn a thing or two from them.
Bottom line: Sure, it’s great that people are being more conscious about their consumption, but they need to understand that while reducing their energy usage is better than nothing, it doesn’t begin to solve the issue. While it means using less energy and emitting fewer emissions, we’re still undeniably using energy and emitting emissions. Once big-ticket items are made more energy-efficient and energy sources are changed to healthier ones on a large scale, then we can finally say we’ve made some headway. This means pushing for legislation and spending more time and money – and focus.
Global warming – and putting an end to it, going green – is not a matter to be taken lightly or in overconfident stride. Never underestimate the destructive power of one of our own creations.
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