As I’ve mentioned a few times, the Montreal Protocol to reduce CFCs and repair the ozone layer likely succeeded not because corporations suddenly became altruistic, but because ready—and profitable—substitutes existed. Similarly, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
Much of the practices and culture that are wrecking our planet are also wrecking our happiness, but it seems that only now it’s becoming mainstream acceptable to admit the second part
I love the way you put this. And I'm so glad it's becoming acceptable to admit - which feels like one of only a few good things to emerge from the pandemic.
It's also why system changes, which make better choices for the environment easier, are so crucial. A lot of people aren't going to be willing to make the changes, but will cope when the decision is made for them. It's a small example, but when the NZ government said it was going to ban plastic supermarket bags various people seemed to think that some kind of apocalypse was on the way (people were going to get sick from dirty reusable bags apparently). Then it happened and 80-90% of people brought their own bags.
Random side point, when DDT was phased out, it had also lost effectiveness because species like mosquitoes had become resistant. So it was an easy choice.
Absolutely, Melanie! My state of New Jersey banned plastic bags, too, and there was a small uproar that died down pretty quickly. (As I understand it, we need more dirt, not less, in our lives, and are developing allergies partly because of the lack!) But for bigger changes, I think incentives ("here's what you will gain in exchange") are important. Great point about DDT too!
Another great post Stephanie. I fancy myself as positive and an optimist. On this greater issue, however, I am not so rosy. I fear you are focusing (DDTs & CFCs) on low-hanging fruit. My sense is many of the pending challenges because of the great increases in population and the rise of consumer culture everywhere makes issues around climate, pollution, overfishing, the nitrogen cycle for agriculture as simply things the first world, especially in the US to be likely to ignore until it becomes existential. It would seem only once the poor underclass becomes a risk to stability will it become time to enforce carbon pricing for example. I promise my next five comments will be positive :)
I'm solution-seeking by nature, though - it's just my valence. I call myself a realistic optimist. I share your concerns that people may stay complacent until their own lives and livelihoods are threatened, and hope that by offering people something better, we can maybe make complacency less attractive than action.
I can’t overstate how brilliant this insight is, and I can’t believe I have not heard it argued before
Much of the practices and culture that are wrecking our planet are also wrecking our happiness, but it seems that only now it’s becoming mainstream acceptable to admit the second part
I love the way you put this. And I'm so glad it's becoming acceptable to admit - which feels like one of only a few good things to emerge from the pandemic.
It's also why system changes, which make better choices for the environment easier, are so crucial. A lot of people aren't going to be willing to make the changes, but will cope when the decision is made for them. It's a small example, but when the NZ government said it was going to ban plastic supermarket bags various people seemed to think that some kind of apocalypse was on the way (people were going to get sick from dirty reusable bags apparently). Then it happened and 80-90% of people brought their own bags.
Random side point, when DDT was phased out, it had also lost effectiveness because species like mosquitoes had become resistant. So it was an easy choice.
Absolutely, Melanie! My state of New Jersey banned plastic bags, too, and there was a small uproar that died down pretty quickly. (As I understand it, we need more dirt, not less, in our lives, and are developing allergies partly because of the lack!) But for bigger changes, I think incentives ("here's what you will gain in exchange") are important. Great point about DDT too!
Another great post Stephanie. I fancy myself as positive and an optimist. On this greater issue, however, I am not so rosy. I fear you are focusing (DDTs & CFCs) on low-hanging fruit. My sense is many of the pending challenges because of the great increases in population and the rise of consumer culture everywhere makes issues around climate, pollution, overfishing, the nitrogen cycle for agriculture as simply things the first world, especially in the US to be likely to ignore until it becomes existential. It would seem only once the poor underclass becomes a risk to stability will it become time to enforce carbon pricing for example. I promise my next five comments will be positive :)
I'm solution-seeking by nature, though - it's just my valence. I call myself a realistic optimist. I share your concerns that people may stay complacent until their own lives and livelihoods are threatened, and hope that by offering people something better, we can maybe make complacency less attractive than action.
Wonderfully said!