Preemptive Strike Against Climate Change
By Jenn | June 19, 2008
I love this article my buddy MickeyZ wrote– it struck a chord deep inside me. I think oftentimes this whole “green thing” is seen as a hassle, a burden, a big deal requiring a whole lot of pain-in-the-butt changes. But what if we collectively shift our thinking so that “green” is just a small thing, like buckling our seatbelt when we get in a car?
MickeyZ sez: “While some of us fasten our seat belts to avoid getting a ticket, many more do so as a safety measure (what Dubya might call a preemptive strike). We don’t wait until we see another vehicle spinning out of control to snap the seat belt into place. We fasten it upon entering a car. It can be a little uncomfortable to wear, but if we arrive at our destination without needing that seat belt, we typically don’t regret using it.
To apply this same mentality to climate change—to be unconcerned whether or not the human role in global warming is overstated—would be to live with a vision for the future. The only players with a vested interest in the status quo are those who profit off our indifference and our conspicuous consumption, so why not alter our lifestyle as if our very existence were hanging in the balance? To accept this challenge would be to overcome corporate propaganda—the dominant factor in our society.”
I remember way back when seat belts became mandatory (well, I think I kind of always wore mine, even as a little kid, even when I was the only one in the car doing so, but still)– there was a collective whining and moaning about having to wear seatbelts. But after the habit was formed, I think most folks just don’t even think twice about it– in fact, wouldn’t dream of driving without them anymore, because they just make sense. Who wouldn’t wear a seatbelt?
Our culture needs to adopt the same attitude towards living lighter. It’s really not a hassle, it just takes new habits and thought patterns. It’s not difficult to purchase compact flourescent lightbulbs instead of incandescents, it’s just a new habit which needs to be formed. It’s not difficult to carry a reusable bag, it’s just a new habit. Ditto with a reusable beverage bottle. Ditto with walking to the grocery store, or riding a bike to the train station. These are not big deals, they’re just small changes– and, taken one by one, are fun and achiveable.
A shift in our thinking– the choosing of new tiny choices rather than our old habitual ones– is what’s needed in order to make a huge collective impact.
Related posts:
- Climate Change, as presented by The Museum of Natural History
- Playing For Change
- Wanted: A Change of Heart.
- Quotes of the Day: Henry David Thoreau
- Easy Peasy Tip: Bring Your Mug!
Topics: Activism |
well said TC and MickeyZ.
[…] Tiny Choices on seatbelts and climate change. […]
Well said Jenn and MickeyZ. Its all about a small shift in the way we view things. You should check out the book Cradle to Cradle. It’s about a new type of industrial revolution. One where industry, design and the environment are not mutually exclusive but work together to make a superior product and no one’s bottom line has to suffer. In other words its a shift in thinking about how we make things. Its a very interesting concept- and so simple.