In complete honesty the article "Forgot Shorter Showers," written by Derrick Jenson brought a weird sense of relief to me personally. Everything that the author explained in his work was my common thoughts on issues related to environmental issues. It's not that I don't care about my environment, and this world as a whole, but no matter how "green" I myself am it won't matter in the long run. An individual will not change the overall outcome of everything bad going on in the environmental world. It takes a movement to even start any type of momentum related to not just environmental issues, but any global issue that presents itself. The author couldn't have possibly said it better for me in relation to my own personal opinion surrounding these …show more content…
This comparison really stood out to me, because it helps gather a better understanding of what needs to happen to even attempt to help the environmental issues be heard. Most damage is done by big business, corporations, industries, and so forth; these can be compared to the Nazis. On the other hand, you have the rest of the world who are individuals that disagree with the tactics of the Nazis. They refused to accept the oppression set forth, and banded together to take down the controller. That's the same concept with these environmental issues. The only way to actually make a difference, and help persevere or earth is to not only band together as a community, city, state, or even country. The ultimate victory will surface when the world decides to band together against the bad guy that is environmental damage. It will take countries working with other countries to establish rules and regulations that will ultimately benefit the world. It seems like an impossible task, and it may be, but that's why one individual's "green" morality will not change the world. Yes, an individual should do their part in helping out with what they can, but it's not worth pressuring yourself into. Don't feel bad if you take a 30 minute shower here and there, because in all honesty that'll only use all the hot water at your house for a
This quotation opens your eyes, I know of no one who wants to destroy the earth either. The majority of man kind doesn’t think too much about what is happening to the earth due to their actions. When most of us drive a car or spray deodorant we don’t think of the consequences. It is the responsibility of those who create problems to help fix them and prevent them from happening again. In society today it i...
Bill McKibben's "The Environmental Issue from Hell" argues that climate change is a real and dire concern for humanity. His essay deals with the methods and persuasive arguments needed to spur American citizens and the government on to change to more eco-friendly choices. The arguments he proposes are based largely upon emotional appeals calling for empathy and shame, and examples of what in our daily lives is adding to the changes we're seeing in the climate.
The articles “The Environmental issue from hell” by Bill McKibben and “The Obligation to Endure” by Rachel Carson both talk about the environmental consequences that people have caused. However, McKibben writes about Global warming and argues that it is a moral responsibility to preserve the earth, while on the other hand, Carson writes about pollution of the earth caused by man. McKibben article makes good points and supports his claim with facts which makes his article valid. Carson supports her idea with adequate information and factual evidence which also makes her article valid.
I happen to believe that hardcore “Environmental Greenies” are very dangerous people. The fanatics invent crazy modern mythological terminology like “carbon footprint,” “alternative energy” and “global warming” and the overzealous charlatans expect to make the rest of civilization (including our easily impressionable and indoctrinated school children) feel guilty if we aren’t voluntarily and gullibly deceived by their creative frivolous terminology.
In 1989, seventy five percent of Americans identified themselves as environmentalists, and the number has continued to grow since then (Walls 1). Environmentalism is now the most popular social movement in the United States, with over five million American families donating regularly to environmental organizations (Walls 1). Environmentalists today focus on what kind of world they hope to see in the future, and largely deal with limiting pollution and changing consumption rates (Kent 1 and 9). Modern environmentalists also have much different issues than those Carson’s America faced. With climate change becoming more threatening each year, protection of the natural world is needed more than ever. Pollution has caused the warmest decade in history, the deterioration of the ozone layer, and species extinction in extreme numbers (Hunter 2). It not only threatens nature, but also human populations, who already suffer from lack of clean water and poisoning from toxic chemicals (Hunter 16). Unlike environmental actions in the 1960’s, which were mostly focused on protection, a massive increase in pollution has caused efforts to be focused on environmental restoration (Hunter 16). Like in the time of Silent Spring, environmentalists are not only concerned with one country. Protecting the environment remains a global issue, and every nation is threatened by the
It is the responsibility of the developed world to change. They have the resources and technology to significantly curb emissions and dampen the effects of climate change. As the world’s second largest emitter of Co2, and as the world’s largest economy, the US must become a leader in the battle against climate change. However, historical incidents of environmental degradation indicate that will power is simply not enough. Unless environmental problems are seen and felt, the US population has been slow and reluctant to act. Unfortunately this lack of will power is still present. As a citizen of the United States, I see no hope for change without the help and intervention of government. Without economic incentive, individuals and firms will not change. I believe that the US government must intervene and implement emission reduction policies, and work toward limiting emissions to the earth’s natural sink function.
There are many efforts to reverse the effects we accelerated; countries around the world are supporting green change and aim to ultimately benefit the existence of humanity. Greener transportation, greener disposal of objects, and a greener mindset and understanding of waste. The wasteful habits we exhibit today are not conducive to the progression of our world as a “healthy” planet. Individuals have the opportunity to help out and do the right thing, they have the tools to do it; facilities and resources surround us on a daily basis. We need to recognize it. By realizing the effect we can have on the world, we can make a
In conclusion, the impact I personally have on the planet has surprised me. My personal ecological footprint is much larger than I expected. However, there are measures I can take to drop my current consumption rate, such as altering my recycling choices, making better purchasing decisions, and adopting the reduce, reuse, and recycle concept throughout my household. By altering my habits and consumption rate, I can affect my local community tremendously in a positive way for the planet Earth.
Derrick Jensen, born in 1960 is a writer and environmental activist who was against capitalism and western civilization. In the article “ Forget Shorter Showers” Jensen is talking about Environmentalism. He specifically states that individuals will not change the environment very much if that individual wants to get something done they should work with a group of other individuals with the same views. Jensen talks about three different subjects water, energy and waste. Which are three main parts of the environment. Having the background of being an environmental activist helped prepare Jensen to write about the environmental issues in the world.
Is there anything common between the three paintings? Which was the main stream that influenced the artists? Were there any differences in the three styles and can we say if one is better than the other? A small comparison to the following masterpieces will resolve our all questions. Paul Cézanne was a post impressionist who used little of the nineteenth century’s methods.
All of these things are happening due to human’s greedy actions and pollution. As a society, we need to band together to save our Earth. My family and I have taken many trips to Catalina Island over my lifetime and I have personally seen the increase of water levels. Caves that were easily accessible are now SCUBA diving locations. This is changing the ecosystems in the oceans, which have a large impact on our lifestyle. There are so many small things people can do to change these detrimental effects, including taking shorter showers, using a broom instead of a hose to clean a driveway, and buying energy efficient appliances and cars to lower carbon dioxide. If everyone made a small change toward sustainability, our environment and atmosphere would have an exponential decrease in global warming and temperature. After watching this film, I realized that I need to pull my weight and work to decrease my carbon footprint. I did not realize how much of an impact my daily habits have on the Earth and how easily I can change
Boggs, Grace Lee, and Scott Kurashige. The next American revolution: Sustainable activism for the twenty-first century. University of California Pr, 2012. Print.
As an environmentalist (or a "radical" environmentalist, as I am often labeled by members of the mainstream environmental movement), I feel it is my duty as a protector of the Earth's well-being to write this editorial as a means of bringing into the American consciousness a variety of frightening environmental issues. Though some of you may be aware of these problems, I know many are not, and thus may be shocked to learn about the degradation of our Earth and the people living in it. Indeed, I truly believe that "since the dawn of the industrial age, America has behaved like an alcoholic with a good job—prospering despite a lifestyle that jeopardizes the future and ruins much of what is good with irresponsible behavior.
...dearly-held, unconscious collective assumptions may impede our chances for survival. Or, as Poliakoff, et. al., noted, “fundamental changes in technology are adopted… only when they provide real advantage” (810). Are human beings inherently selfish, or are they capable of rising above that? Will we use this power we have developed to help ourselves, or to attempt to help the world? “Why can’t we achieve a better balance between people, resources, and the environment? … The complete answers to these questions lie deeply within the complex realms of science, philosophy, religion, economics, and politics.” (170). The answers may be complicated. The truth is, industrialization has changed our relationship to the environment. It has enabled us to hurt it far more than any other species, but it has also given us the ability to help. The power of choice now lies with us.
Many people assume that the environment is not in danger. They believe that as technology advances, we do not need to worry about renewing natural resources, recycling, and finding new ways to produce energy. They state that one person in the world does not make a large difference. In reality, each individual's contribution greatly affects our environment. Our natural resources are slowly disappearing, and we must work together to save them and the Earth from ruin.