Discussion Question #1

Sorry I'm late on this--I tried to post last night apparently it didn't go through my internet functions only 50% of the time in my apt!

In my opinion, the most pressing environmental problem we are currently facing on a global scale is our overconsumption, especially our domestic consumption habits. If you compare the consumption habits of citizens of the United States to other countries, especially to those in the designated "third world", and thus our detrimental impact on the environment, it quickly becomes difficult to understand how we, as Americans, can continue to live such excessive lifestyles without the slightest pang of guilt, on a general scale. Obviously, there are those who are concerned about our effect on our environmental state--activists, environmental NGOs, biologists/ecologists, etc. Nonetheless, the overwhelming large portion of the population that is unaware of the problems we're causing, or simply don't care--is frankly shocking and frightening to say the least. Every aspect of our society, from our gigantic SUVs, to our constantly climate-controlled houses/offices, to our shopping habits, and penchance for disposable products/materials in food and consumer goods, is excessive and absolutely unnecessary.

I understood just how ridiculous our habits are even more after spending a year abroad in Brussels, Belgium and Santiago, Chile. Brussels, while not a part of the third world is surprisingly eco-conscious. Their metro systems have lighting and escalators that only function when they sense people are around, saving loads of energy. They have an extremely recycling-intensive garbage disposal system in which waste products are separated into three different categories in separately colored bags, enforced by fees that are charged to citizens if they do not follow disposal rules. Santiago, on the other hand, is considered "third world", and their environmental awareness is, sadly, much higher than that of citizens of the US. Most of the homes are without heating nor air conditioning, and the cars have restrictions for heading into the city enforcing car-pooling and the use of public transportation. These are just a few examples of how these two distinctly different countries are eco-friendly, but it just proves that much more how poor our consumption habits are. In this capacity I think the proper solution, or perhaps the fundamental way in which we should begin to solve our problems is by raising environmental awareness among US citizens. Increasing media coverage of the environmental crises, offering classes to children at a more elementary level on environmental friendliness, and stressing the dangers of overconsumption to adults as well.

In this capacity, I found Stanley Fish's article dissappointing, yet unfortunately familiar. Although he is aware of the negative impact of his overconsumptive ways, through his wife's insistence on using eco-friendly products and the like, he would rather choose the easy/cheap way out and stick to what he knows, the products he's used for his whole life--those which are harming our ecosystem. This is also rudimentary to the problem, we as Americans are accustomed to lavish lifestyles in which we can afford to live luxuriously without detriment. We as a nation need to learn that this luxurious behaviour does in fact have a cost. And that cost is our future.