Forgive me, I'm having a PMS-y, glass-is-half-empty kind of day. I had been feeling relatively positive about a potential change of federal government at the end of year up until this week. However, having brought up the subject on a couple of occaisons with family and aquaintances this week though, it seems that many many (most?) people are still FAR more concerned about interest rates rising than with anything to do with climate change. There are SO many people mortgaged to the eyeballs, whether they live in a terrace in the inner city, a McMansion in the 'burbs, or a small acreage in a rural area. Without any financial room to move, it is completely understandable that when it comes down to the crunch, they will vote with their hip pocket. The potential impact of nuclear power stations or sea level rise or an extended drought, take a back seat to losing your house to the bank, every time.
That there are so many people that have gotten themselves into this position makes me simultaneously really sad and extremely frustrated. No matter how much water I save or waste I avoid, there doesn't seem to be anything *I* can do to counter the influence of a government that encourages us to BUY BUY BUY and grow our economy at all costs, over and above the environment :-(
This was all topped off by a comment from an in-law today, along the lines of that they "would do more for the environment if it didn't affect their lifestyle", because for instance, they really enjoyed their 10 minute showers... *Sigh*
Ah well, I know *I'm* doing the right thing by my kids, and I can keep hoping that one day soon the trickle of people simplifying and greening their lives will turn into a flood. Metaphorically speaking of course ;-)
2 comments:
10 minute showers? REALLY? Um, I hate to ask, but what on earth are they doing in there for that length of time?
And I have had that Greeniology book for absolutely ages, when it first came out actually which is a long time ago now, with a completely different cover. You've reminded me to start digging it out to re-read. And the thought of those black balloons...creepy to say the least.
And don't be depressed about the government. There have been a lot of changes in the past year alone, enough to make me feel a little buoyant anyway. The last federal election was horrifically soul destroying though.
I know TEN minutes?! I think she just likes standing under the running water! I borrowed the first edition of Greeniology from the library when it first came out too, but to my shame didn't adopt many tips from it at the time, and had forgotten about it until recently. I think there has a been a lot of changes in what is available in the market place since the first one came out too, which is great :-)
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