Here are two books which tackle current issues.
Maybe One
By: Bill McKibben, 1998
This book tiptoe's around population issues as if it
is an explosive question. Here is an example:
I don't consider population to be the problem, though that
is what zealots have sometimes claimed. In the past I've
written about overconsumption and about efficiency, topics
that will recur in this book. It is essential that we
consume less, and consume more intelligently -- that we
live in smaller homes, and heat them with sun and wind.
But, as we shall see, if the population keeps increasing
those difficult changes will be robbed of much of their
meaning.
In the end the book concludes this is an individual choice
and people need to talk about population. The problem is
that our society does not provide information for an objective
choice, and much of society wants to ignore this issue. I
think the author is correct, this is an explosive issue.
----
Earth Odyssey
By: Mark Hertsgaard, 1999
Mark Hertsgaard traveled around the world asking people about
environmental problems to see what they really thought and
looked at the state of the environment in each area. His
conclusions are not surprising, but the presentation as a
travelog does open one's eyes.
What he found was a lot of people worried about the environment
and not willing to act. Most were confused about what
is needed. The same person who could see local environmental
problems did not think any of it was related to global warming
or that their actions had much impact on the environment.
Most wanted to be optimistic about the future and that
a scientific (magic) solution would be found. The idea
that environmental problems can not be solved by science
was not a comfortable subject.
----
Both books seem to be saying we have a world in denial.
To me this is part of cultural immersion and is
the hill most paths are climbing.
What bothers me is that no one seems very interested in
personal philosophy, individual action, and recognizing
cultural conditioning. Am i missing something about what
is important? Why do we have so many books about problems
and so few books with answers?
If i look at the thousands of discussion lists on the
internet, this is the only one i can find that talks about
individual action, visions of the future, cultural
conditioning, and how all this fits together. Why?
----------
Jeff Owens ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Zone 7, http://www.teleport.com/~kowens
Underground house, solar energy, reduced consumption, no TV
