In a challenging piece on personal response to climate change Michael
Pollan deals what and why we might do what is needed to save our
planet as we know it. Ironically, we homesteaders of varying levels
have been doing much of what needs to be done, without government
subsidies or laws compelling us to do so.
"Which brings us back to the “why bother” question and how we might
better answer it. The reasons not to bother are many and compelling,
at least to the cheap-energy mind. But let me offer a few admittedly
tentative reasons that we might put on the other side of the scale:
"If you do bother, you will set an example for other people. If enough
other people bother, each one influencing yet another in a chain
reaction of behavioral change, markets for all manner of green
products and alternative technologies will prosper and expand. (Just
look at the market for hybrid cars.) Consciousness will be raised,
perhaps even changed: new moral imperatives and new taboos might take
root in the culture. Driving an S.U.V. or eating a 24-ounce steak or
illuminating your McMansion like an airport runway at night might come
to be regarded as outrages to human conscience. Not having things
might become cooler than having them. And those who did change the way
they live would acquire the moral standing to demand changes in
behavior from others — from other people, other corporations, even
other countries. . . ."
Pollan suggests that we consider Vaclav Havel's thought: that we begin
to conduct ourselves as if we will live on this earth forever and be
answerable for its condition one day.
We homesteader types already knew we were cool. Maybe more of the
larger populace will begin to appreciate us. Not that appreciation is
needed. But it's nice. Just might create lots of opportunities.
[Homestead] Homesteading may become very cool,
Gene GeRue, 04/21/2008