kathryn:
>We are, surely, trying to
>make others see that sustainable living is worthwhile and a hair shirt
>approach will drive them away in droves. If we don't persuade the rest of
>the world to join in then no matter how environmentally friendly we are in
>our own lives the rest of mankind will destroy our efforts
Well said. There are two ways to touch people: in their hearts and in their
pocketbooks. Individuals respond to one or the other; if both, then change
is likely. The corporations and individuals who are least caring of
ecological principles seem to be those who are most concerned with
financial wealth. Those people have the greatest inclination to harm the
environment. Much as I would like to think that emotion might persuade for
sustainability, it seems that economic considerations will have the
greatest impact. Warning of future shortages or depletions has no effect on
profit mongers who focus on profit now and to hell with tomorrow. It must
be demonstrated how sustainability makes more profit than present
practices. Wall Street's very-short-term profit focus is a serious
challenge to this.
Consumers could change corporate actions by demanding sustainable
practices. Other than boycotts, which have had no great success that I am
aware of, I don't know what would work. The irony is that consumers who
talk the ecotalk do not do the ecowalk. Those who hold an interest in
stocks and mutual funds want high returns. Corporations are more and more
driven by Wall Street's demands for those returns.
I often despair that only troubles great enough to cause a new, higher,
spiritual awakening have a chance of overcoming our present
self-destructive path.
