General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOur Oceans Are Dying: Mobilizing an Indifferent Public to Confront This Crisis
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Our-Oceans-Are-Dying-Mobi-by-Bernard-Starr-Activism-Environmental_Awakening-Waking-Up_Carbon-Emissions_Climate-140628-655.htmlBy Bernard Starr (about the author) Permalink
I did not expect good news when I attended the reception at New York City's Museum of Natural History on June 25th to learn about the results of the Global Ocean Commission report on the state of the world's oceans. These days, reports from environmental groups are never something to cheer about. In this case the news was even more disturbing than I expected.
snip
Why should we be concerned? Jose Maria Figueres, Co-chair of the Commission and former president of Costa Rica, has summed up the dire situation with these words: "The ocean provides 50 percent of our oxygen and fixes 25 percent of global carbon emissions. Our food chain begins in that 70 percent of the planet." He added that "a healthy ocean is key to our well-being, and we need to reverse its degradation." He warned: "Unless we turn the tide on ocean decline within five years, the international community should consider turning the high seas into an off-limits regeneration zone until its condition is restored." A Commission video states the crisis even more starkly: "No ocean, no us!"
snip
Will getting the message out turn the tide in the battle to save the planet? I doubt it. We are swimming in information and messages. Earlier the this year leading scientists declared that we are fast approaching the critical point of no return for climate change -- a point with predictable devastating consequences. But who is listening? The public continues to be frighteningly indifferent. Who among the public is willing to place the salvation of the planet over immediate personal concerns?
snip
Politicians avoid talking about environmental issues for fear of losing favor with their constituents, who are clamoring for jobs, mortgage relief, and financial security. During the 2012 presidential debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney environmental issues took a far back seat; in fact, they were barely mentioned. Both candidates knew instinctively that in the throes of an economic crisis placing the salvation of the planet high on the national agenda would not generate votes. It might even take away votes from people who feared the candidate would be indifferent to their personal struggles.
So where does this leave us? If more environmental studies and more alarming news will not mobilize leaders and the public for an all-out commitment to the preservation of our small vulnerable corner of the universe, what will? Perhaps we need to shift our focus from information to changing human behavior. Let's enlist leading behavioral scientists and psychological associations to address how to awaken the public to the urgency of protecting the planet. Let's launch a campaign to make this the number-one priority. And let's adopt these mantras: No planet, no jobs; no planet, no Social Security; no planet, no mortgages; no planet, no corporate bonus packages. No planet, no us.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
hatrack
(59,583 posts)So, in the middle of the very worst drought on record ever in Southern California, they couldn't even drum up a 20% voluntary reduction in urban water (they got 5%).
If the blazingly obviously visible reality of a record-smashing drought in one of the biggest cities in America elicits a big fat "meh", how do we think people are going to react to what's happening in a realm they not only do not know, but cannot even see?
"Why are we watching this nature shit honey? The game's on!!"
JEB
(4,748 posts)Our natural curiosity and ability to plan and react have been removed. We follow orders and pass our time in a stupor that passes for culture.
"Why are we watching this nature shit honey? The game's on!!"
You can hang your hat on that.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)But I need to go look at new cars. And my 5,000 square foot McMansion needs to be repainted, it is good paint job, but i don't like the color so i also have to go buy 50 gallons of paint. And while i am out, will hit burger-doodle for some kids meals, run by the grocery for some potato chips, stop at the gas station to fill up my 10mpg gas hog (no less than 15mpg in my new fancy ride) and then see a movie. After that have to start planning our vacation. Gonna fly to Australia, and then India so my kids can see just how good they have it. Do you know how cheap hotels are in India? Ridiculously cheap. Australia is not cheap but that's because they have a ridiculous $15 an hour minimum wage.
I did want to mention my new 1,000 cubic foot refrigerator. Sucker sucks in the juice but they are building a nuke plant nearby and those never pollute so we're good, right?
And hey, did you hear about that new sushi bar opening up? Heard they will be serving whale snacks. Gawd, that sounds worse than it is. Have you seen how big whales get? Plenty to go around, I'm sure.
So anyway, i think yall are running around with your hair on fire worrying about oceans. Do you know how big oceans are? They are the hugest!!
Well, Fox news is on, gotta hang up here and get informed. Bye!
Don't worry, be happy! Like bush said: Go Shopping!
JEB
(4,748 posts)or at least existing with lots of toys and distractions. Thanks for the laugh. You nailed it.
Thank you, R.E.
Uncle Joe
(58,342 posts)Thanks for the thread, JEB.
Duppers
(28,117 posts)More views = more sanity.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)
RainDog
(28,784 posts)Increase penalties for businesses that harm the ocean by their practices.
Get the stick out of the ass of congress and penalize the use of petrol-based products with an offsetting environmental cost fee. Make it too expensive, iow, to engage in harmful technologies.
Provide financial incentives for businesses that change the current form of existence. Provide grants, jobs programs, and more that favor environmentally healthy work.
Let the frackers and the oil companies pay for the damages. Yes, this will be a hardship on people who do not use mass transit or live far from their jobs.
The only way people have reduced their use of cars, or have carpooled, etc. is by making current practices unaffordable. Then they see people who are carpooling, etc. and they follow suit.
So, the only way to stop the destruction is to make the cost of this destruction so severe people have no incentive to continue it.
