Diamond-Cut Life

Juliet Wilson, the Scottish blogger of Crafty Green Poet, wrote in response:

“There’s a circularity to it in some senses. Politicians feel they don’t want to make laws that will be unpopular but a lot of people won’t take their own actions if they don’t see action at higher levels.

Also a lot of people think that going green is only about self denial  . . . .  [but] there’s a lot of joy in simplicity and a lot of environmental organizations don’t seem to get that message out as much as they could.

Finally it’s all about the economy. Politicians in most countries are obsessed with the economy and it rules everything, no matter what the environmental cost. The recession could have been a real opportunity to go greener but mostly has not been really used for that. People are consumerists too and have got used to having nice new things whenever they want…..”

Colleen Kaleda also weighed in promptly. Colleen is an award-winning environmental journalist who teaches at Portland State University. She wrote:

“A hard question, Alison! How does change happen? Thankfully in America, usually by our own volition … but sometimes change can be painfully slow when people see no compelling, urgent reason to change. That’s why climate-related action (personal or political) can feel like it’s happening in slow-mo … the urgency factor is largely invisible. We have to TRUST the science that’s predicting global warming and its far-reaching, devastating effects. We have to CARE about the yet-unborn generations that will unfairly inherit a damaged Earth if we don’t change. And we have to CREATE a more sustainable planet through tough laws and concerted personal efforts. That, in my opinion, is how climate-related change will happen.“