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Earth Day is Useless
In 83 countries and over 2,800 communities, the lights went out for earth hour, but does it matter? The idea of earth hour is to raise awareness and send a message to global leaders that the public is ready to get serious about environmental issues.
But are we really?
Are Government really going to listen?
Those of us in western nations lived privileged lives. No matter what socio-economic group you belong to, you are better off than your third-world neighbour. Most of us live in luxury in comparison and produce the majority of the world's pollution and garbage. We have ample supplies of food, fuel, jobs and opportunities. Each of us contributes to the overall environmental downturn we have been experiencing over the last 20 years. For many people their entire livelihoods depend on jobs that contribute vastly to the earth's current predicament.
How many people are really willing to sacrifice the immediate future of their families for the off chance that any of these new 'green jobs' will wind up in their communities. In many cases, these jobs will simply end up overseas where costs can be controlled and environmental regulations are lax enough to allow for production methods.
As much as I would love to see some real progress made on the environmental front, I simply fail to see either the political or social will to do so. We may have these earth hour type events once or twice a year, but the next day we just go back to our normal routines, forgetting the lessons learned.
There are no sustained efforts on a large enough scale to really impact the way we live and work. The environmental situation is well beyond the ability for individuals to make any meaningful impact. Governments are the only bodies who can effectively make policy decisions that will make a meaningful difference.
The problem with governments is that our politicians are afraid to make the hard choices that need to be made. While they make token changes for these events, long-term changes are never made. Politicians are so worried about their re-election campaigns, slush funds and future advancements that they often wind up bending to the demands of their lobbyist friends. Besides, who do your think will employ these people once they leave public life and enter the private sector once again.
These environmental days and events are a waste of time. They do not offer meaningful change and they do not truly influence those in power who have the ability to make large-scale solutions come to life.
But are we really?
Are Government really going to listen?
Those of us in western nations lived privileged lives. No matter what socio-economic group you belong to, you are better off than your third-world neighbour. Most of us live in luxury in comparison and produce the majority of the world's pollution and garbage. We have ample supplies of food, fuel, jobs and opportunities. Each of us contributes to the overall environmental downturn we have been experiencing over the last 20 years. For many people their entire livelihoods depend on jobs that contribute vastly to the earth's current predicament.
How many people are really willing to sacrifice the immediate future of their families for the off chance that any of these new 'green jobs' will wind up in their communities. In many cases, these jobs will simply end up overseas where costs can be controlled and environmental regulations are lax enough to allow for production methods.
As much as I would love to see some real progress made on the environmental front, I simply fail to see either the political or social will to do so. We may have these earth hour type events once or twice a year, but the next day we just go back to our normal routines, forgetting the lessons learned.
There are no sustained efforts on a large enough scale to really impact the way we live and work. The environmental situation is well beyond the ability for individuals to make any meaningful impact. Governments are the only bodies who can effectively make policy decisions that will make a meaningful difference.
The problem with governments is that our politicians are afraid to make the hard choices that need to be made. While they make token changes for these events, long-term changes are never made. Politicians are so worried about their re-election campaigns, slush funds and future advancements that they often wind up bending to the demands of their lobbyist friends. Besides, who do your think will employ these people once they leave public life and enter the private sector once again.
These environmental days and events are a waste of time. They do not offer meaningful change and they do not truly influence those in power who have the ability to make large-scale solutions come to life.
