Michael Pollan on Why We Should Bother Living Green

Michael Pollan's recent New York Times article Why Bother? speaks to something that swirls around in my head all too often....how can one person's tiny actions like changing a light bulb or turning down the thermostat really make a difference in GLOBAL climate change; something so big and scary it's hard to even comprehend??? 

And what do we do about our "evil twin" on the other side of the world, who as Pollan says is "eager to swallow every bite of meat I forswear and who’s positively itching to replace every last pound of CO2 I’m struggling no longer to emit."  It certainly does beg the question - why bother?

Pollan answers that question in his usual smart and thoughtful way and ultimately convinces us (at least he did me) that we should bother, primarily because we are setting a good example and raising consciousness.  We are challenging the 'cheap-energy mind' - which fosters the "mentality that makes dealing with climate change in our own lives seem impossibly difficult".

In the end, Pollan encourages us to grow just a little of our own food.  Plant a garden, big or small, wherever you can fit it in.  It may not make a huge impact on our carbon footprint but it will help to reduce our feelings of dependence and change the 'cheap-energy mind'.  Powerful stuff.

Comments

[Greenbaby]

Pollen's article is right on target. So often our eco-friendly actions seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Still, they really are the only thing we have control over. Stewardship is a reflection of our character so it's worth the extra effort even in the crazy, sleep deprived world of baby rearing.

[Eredux]

Check out this US Carbon Footprint Map, an interactive United States Carbon Footprint Map, illustrating Greenest States to Cities. This site has all sorts of stats on individual State & City energy consumptions, demographics and much more down to your local US City level...

http://www.eredux.com/states/

[matt]

The "evil twin" idea reminds me of a point I made to a co-worker (and friend) who was voting for Bush in 2004. The best response I could give was: my vote will cancel you out.

I like the idea that being green is something we have control over. Most, if not all of us, regularly struggle with being green. So optimism in the form of an article can inspire me for weeks.

[Raleigh]

It's Pollan. With an A.

[MadsaboutU]

I have started on some herb garden myself. I think everyone should try to help our environment as much as they can for the sake of our kid's future.

[MadsaboutU]

I have started on some herb garden myself. I think everyone should try to help our environment as much as they can for the sake of our kid's future.

[Mollyh]

Great article - glad you posted it because I missed it back in April! The comparison to Havel and Michnik was an interesting one. For me, seemingly small acts like changing my light bulb matter because of the mentality that grows from such an act.