Can we really make difficult changes?

The main point of the Maniates article is that the little steps that people take to live a greener life are not going to solve the environmental problems we face, and I agree. However, I think that the real solution to these problems is not going to come from the people. If the only way to save the planet is to wait until the general public makes the difficult choices to truly be green then, I’m sorry, but the world is doomed. People are accustomed to a certain way of life and they are not going to completely give that up to tackle climate change. The Maniates article uses the examples of fascism and the American Revolution as proof that Americans can make difficult choices; however, climate change is a different monster. Americans have difficulty conceptualizing climate change and understanding its impact. Fascism and the Revolution could be linked to a person, which makes them easier to combat in theory. For example, Hitler was a symbol of fascism so Americans could get behind the idea of hating Hitler and wanting his downfall. The downfall of fascism was linked to Hitler’s downfall. What person or regime are we going to bring down to end climate change? What common enemy are we going to untie the American people behind? Many scientists say the American life style is the biggest contributor to climate change. How would the American people respond to a speech from the president saying that the biggest enemy the U.S. faces today is, ourselves? I am thinking not too well.

Yes things need to change at a more drastic rate, but the change needs to come from the international and national governing bodies. People need to be forced to make the tough decisions. For example, the elimination of CFCs. The general public took steps to cut the use of CFCs however, these individual and national steps did not go far enough. The Montreal Protocol was needed to make true progress in limiting CFCs. International regulation is the key to making the drastic and lasting steps needed to combat climate change.