New policy is only one part of the solution
By Beacon Editorial Board
Focus the Nation is an unprecedented event. In a show of activism unseen since the civil rights era, young people are stepping up to address one of the greatest challenges to civilization as we know it.
Despite our progress in getting America's leaders to listen and move toward enacting policy solutions to global warming, we must also look to ourselves as being part of the solution. It's more than attending an event, participating in panel discussions and deciding that we've done our share.
We must do more than recycle paper and turn off lights. In order to truly walk the walk of environmental change, we must all make personal sacrifices in our everyday lives.
To live greenly, we must accept certain inconveniences - biking even though it's cold and raining; using public transportation even though driving would be quicker; eating local and organic food even though going to Freddy's would be cheaper; buying used and recycled clothing even though Urban Outfitters is more fashionable.
Our grandparents faced a similar situation in World War II. They bought war bonds, rationed their food and made military vehicles in car factories. But did you know that they were also encouraged to drive less, conserve more and eat local?
Almost every member of the Greatest Generation looked to himself or herself as part of the solution to defeating the Axis powers.
Our enemy now isn't some menacing power an ocean away. It's us.
We have been conditioned to expect convenience and to expect the best for what our money can buy. We see our consumption of natural resources as a right, not a privilege.
But real change requires a new perspective. Despite all the recent talk in the mainstream media about sustainability, Sierra Magazine reports that our carbon footprint is actually growing. And, despite the threat of global warming, our attitude of entitlement to bigger and better material goods persists. For example, the typical U.S. home is 40 percent larger than it was 25 years ago, the magazine reports, even though the average household has fewer people.
Mindlessly throwing money at global warming isn't the best solution.
For example, jumping on the hybrid bandwagon is a flashy way to show how "green" you are, but buying a hybrid doesn't make sense if you plan to drive less than 10,000 miles a year. An economical car or Zipcar membership might make more financial sense. And the savings could provide more opportunities to lower your carbon footprint.
Educate yourself and others about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Some things that work for others may not work for you. Living more sustainably means that you can't look at going green like a fad. Don't do it because it's cool. Do it because you care about your future.
Our grandparents could look at World War II with an "us and them" attitude.
We can't afford to do that. We have to think about our children, our grandchildren and the generations that follow them. How will they judge us when they look back on us?
John F. Kennedy told Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
Ask what you can do for the world. It's in your hands.
