Barbara Boxer sent out an email asking us to number a list of priorities in relation to the climate crisis. I took the opportunity to submit my opinion.
This is what I said.
First, inform citizens with a scientifically verifiable predicted scenario of what life will be like for their children and grandchildren. Point out the immorality of the position of ignorance.
WAKE UP people so that they realize that it is vital to make sacrifices. Prepare them for RADICAL changes. And then make them. Make it illegal to build buildings that aren't green, illegal to make non-fuel efficient cars. It is a state of emergency NOW!! Engage the human spirit that awakens when disaster strikes, empowering our capacity for innovation and joyful sacrifice. And don't ask uninformed to rate priorities, figure out which action is the most effective and start there!
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It seems to me that we aren't taking the science seriously, and you know what happens when we do that. Things get worse. I've lived 30 years in Sweden where the priorities are much saner and I know, legislating to protect the environment is possible. One can live a very satisfying life and still consume only half of what is consumed in the US. EDUCATE people! Legislate with the future in mind.
In Sweden we pay a deposit for all PLASTIC bottles, aluminum cans and most glass pop and beer bottles. In the grocery store one must purchase "plastic or paper". That affects patterns of consumption. It affects the amount of waste produced. Auto fuel is expensive, auto taxes are high, public transportation is cheap and efficient. In our family of 8 adults, 1 owns a car.
If gas prices went up in the US, wouldn't more people use public transportation? It seems to me there are innumerable things that could be done. If we wanted to. Without awareness of the facts, no one will do anything. I believe the change will come from the grassroots, once they are informed.