Cut down. Dig out. Disturbed. Polluted. Kill. These words might be harsh or not, but this is exactly what we have been doing to our planet. It seems like humans got there late to the giving of hearts, because we do things that are so painful for others that it makes us seem like we don’t have hearts. The selfishness within ourselves has over taken us. The more we have the more we want, but who is to blame. This is how we were raised. Even in the poorest places one thinks like this. It is horrible how we now consume without thinking what we are actually doing with our actions. When we decide to buy something, we are not only making a decision for ourselves, but a decision for everyone else. Just think about how much had to be done to get that product?, how many things had to be cut down, did something had to be dug out leading to the disruption of the earth. With this how much pollution was added into natural places, and how many species had to be killed to just make this product. I understand that some things are essential and that we have no other option but to buy those things. However, even for the essentials we have options. We have the option to buy things that we know where they are coming from, which most of the time can tell you about how it was made, and you can see what it is made out of. We have even a bigger option when it comes to the things we want. Although, one might thing that what we buy doesn’t affect our planet, it does very much.
On the other hand, is it very realistic to ask people to stop what they are doing, what makes them happy? Most of the people in the United State are middle class going after the “American Dream”. I am an example of these people. I grew up in Mexico having too little, and barely something to eat. Unconsciously, we were “going green” because we waste as little as possible to reduce our bills. Because, I grew up this way I am able to be satisfied with very little, just as many other people who are trying to reach the same “American Dream”. For me the “American Dream” means having all you need and want at your fingers, or just doing what you like and not worry about the money. However, can you really blame people for wanting this, when they have never had it? I am a very ambitious person, in a good way thought, I don’t take more than I need however, I do want more than what I have. To achieve this goal I will make decisions that do not benefit the ecosystem and that put more carbon dioxide into the ecosystem, but I know that I will take the most sustainable steps to achieve my goals.
I really like how you bring in the aspect of more lower class people searching for the American Dream. Often times when "going green" is discussed, it is among the upper middle class who have the leisure to change their lifestyle regardless of the expenses. "Simple Living" then gets this idealistic fantasy label. However, by taking into consideration the small things, ALL people from different class levels can easily change their lifestyle as there are ways to easily implement some sustainable ways of living into every persons style of living.
ReplyDeleteYou have an important perspective that would resonate with a lot of people. You should write more about it. Its interesting that you define the American dream the way you do, b/c that's how we've been taught to dream it. As a child, I used to dream of being rich, even though I had my basic needs taken care of. There aren't enough material things that I want to warrant riches. The sustainability movement focuses on making your material needs consistent with your non-material values and tries to get people to rethink their material wants that aren't sustainable. I actually think that living sustainably is cheaper than living the American dream and doesn't conflict at all with finding fulfillment in life, b/c what is fulfilling, once you have your basic survival needs covered isn't likely to be material. Relationships, experiences, intellectual and physical vibrancy, some sense of community- these are the things that I think bring people happiness. And if you're happy why worry about having a big house, four car garage, etc.?
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