Yada yada finally president Bush has conceded that his cronies couldn't keep the truth about Global Warming under wraps any more. Even the Bush dynasty is now proclaiming half-assed ways to help the planet.
I admit, I haven't listened to his drivel or suggestions yet-but I can assume it's going to be more of the same --destroy forests to plant more corn for ethanol, or buy those mercury filled light bulbs....
Nobody as of yet has come forth with the radical ultimatum to all Americans: "Your homes are too big! You drive too much! Why do you engage in 'fast fashion'? stop shopping!"
I am still waiting when the economically suicidal movement of consuming less will bloom.
How about building up mass transit, so the obsession of owning the three car garage will end??
And why are we slaves to dumb looking fashions, plastic toys and endless kitchen gadgets?
Obviously there is no easy resolution to the economic collapse that would happen when we start consuming less. But I ask why isn't there? Why can't Americans be convinced to pay more for a smaller home built with local materials? Or stop watching the TV, and start growing your own food!
I get especially peeved when I see good, solid wood furniture at the Salvation Army--but any American would rather pay triple for a piece of particle board crap, then throw it out when it breaks. Why can't we just fix good furniture, appliances, shoes? Why did everyone buy the myth that it is a matter of status to throw things out instead of fixing them??
These are my unpopular suggestions to really help the planet.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Does the Third World even exist?
Whenever I hear about American consumers demand for cheap goods like $15.00 dollar jeans or plastic junk I beg to ask the question--why doesn't anyone realize why everything is so cheap? And I certainly have the right to say stuff is cheap--especially if you compare prices of consumer goods from 3o years ago.
Of course there are plenty of hard working American folks who really don't have the luxury to question their purchases--but my anger is at those who can. I have heard a few people actually buy the Wal-Mart lie that "they cut out the overhead and buy in bulk". Whatever. As if those executives don't get rich & fat on someone else's toil like any other company. Meanwhile, what cheap prices really mean is: producing in countries that have no environmental regulation, safety hazards are ignored and products are manufactured in sweat shops. Why can't an American consumer understand why stuff isn't Made in USA anymore? Simply because our standards--put in place to protect health & safety cost too much money!! It's as if these consumers are living in disbelief: "as long as I know nothing about China or Indonesia" maybe they are just fantasy places where everyone lives well."
This suspension of third world reality extends to our corporations exporting our evils to these same countries. Cigarettes are the obvious example, but lately there is a surge in obesity in poorer countries as well! Thanks to the American influence of cheap vegetable oils, refined sugars and mimicking our habits like watching too much television!!
Well if we don't notice sweat shop conditions, at least it's nice to know that McDonalds cares enough to bring double cheeseburgers to the rest of the world.
Of course there are plenty of hard working American folks who really don't have the luxury to question their purchases--but my anger is at those who can. I have heard a few people actually buy the Wal-Mart lie that "they cut out the overhead and buy in bulk". Whatever. As if those executives don't get rich & fat on someone else's toil like any other company. Meanwhile, what cheap prices really mean is: producing in countries that have no environmental regulation, safety hazards are ignored and products are manufactured in sweat shops. Why can't an American consumer understand why stuff isn't Made in USA anymore? Simply because our standards--put in place to protect health & safety cost too much money!! It's as if these consumers are living in disbelief: "as long as I know nothing about China or Indonesia" maybe they are just fantasy places where everyone lives well."
This suspension of third world reality extends to our corporations exporting our evils to these same countries. Cigarettes are the obvious example, but lately there is a surge in obesity in poorer countries as well! Thanks to the American influence of cheap vegetable oils, refined sugars and mimicking our habits like watching too much television!!
Well if we don't notice sweat shop conditions, at least it's nice to know that McDonalds cares enough to bring double cheeseburgers to the rest of the world.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wilderness--is it for the Birds??
Many folks in Alaska hate anything that has to do with protecting wilderness areas. They simply believe that land "locked up" as protected wilderness wastes opportunities for economic growth and development. Today, I heard a comment by an Alaskan that wilderness advocates and environmentally minded folks simply care "more about birds than people".
What I find interesting about this comment is that environmentalists, greenies, bunny-huggers--whatever you may call them are PEOPLE after all. So, if people are the ones passionately fighting for the wilderness, doesn't that easily make environmentalism a people issue??
It's ridiculous to believe that Alaskans will simply fall over and starve to death if their land is not developed. But what they really want is the opportunity to build bigger houses, drive more ATV's--to feed their wants and desires. Yet the poor environmentalist and his need to feed his soul with the wilderness is mocked. If one can not come to Alaska in order to live & experience the wilderness--what else is left for them ???
What I find interesting about this comment is that environmentalists, greenies, bunny-huggers--whatever you may call them are PEOPLE after all. So, if people are the ones passionately fighting for the wilderness, doesn't that easily make environmentalism a people issue??
It's ridiculous to believe that Alaskans will simply fall over and starve to death if their land is not developed. But what they really want is the opportunity to build bigger houses, drive more ATV's--to feed their wants and desires. Yet the poor environmentalist and his need to feed his soul with the wilderness is mocked. If one can not come to Alaska in order to live & experience the wilderness--what else is left for them ???
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