Rob, your post got a rec for its obvious common sense.
The problem is simple in concept, complex in fact. There are too many entrenched interests and deeply-embedded wasteful practices individually and collectively woven into our economies. Note the plural: the US is not alone.
Upstream, a couple of respondents claimed "Not me!" when self-interest was noted as a factor promoting inertia and resistance to change. By narrow interpretation, they declared their non-involvement with the petroleum industry exempted them. In truth, few of us are exempt. Who here doesn't commute 30 miles to and from work, alone in their car? Who doesn't use coal-fired generation, or its products? Who doesn't use the fast-food drive-through? Who doesn't eat the typical meal, the contents of which have traveled an average 1500 miles, often refrigerated, before ending up on someone's plate? We could list examples in the hundreds and thousands, ranging from urban planning, agricultural and transportation policy to infatuation with the Latest Thing and planned obsolescence. Our landfills are overflowing with the result, decomposing into toxic soup and belching methane from rotting, uneaten food.
Meanwhile, the very corporations that pay millions for PR to create the impression of energy-efficient and environmentally-conscientious behavior lobby vigorously for the opposite - and get what they want. The very market forces that many say will save us are in fact promoting the worst possible outcomes, in the name of profit. And who can blame them? That's the system, and that's how it works. How many here are prepared to sacrifice their jobs and upward mobility to promote energy efficiency?
After advocating mitigation and change for a decade, I can tell you it ain't gonna happen. We're not ready, and we won't be. We don't have what it takes for sufficiently constructive change. We'll have to run into a wall, not once but often, until the brutal realities wreak their havoc. Only then will we change, and in the process many will experience marginalization and suffering.
Jim |
