Easy Won't Cut It

I think Mr. Maniates articles’ main point is that when environmental experts and politicians are confronted with “what can we do to help?” we are simply told to read some 10-easy-step books or switch our light bulbs and keep recycling. I think those are obvious things that we should all be definitely doing, but it just isn’t enough.
I think his argument definitely helps us think about effective political action and I think the only way we can start mitigating the environmental problems—climate change, etc—is through tough policy change. It’s the entire system that needs change and the individual will be much more adept at helping the problem when there are laws and such in place to make sure the “green” thing is happening. Outlaw non-hybrid cars in the states. If auto companies aren’t allowed to make bad, oil-guzzling, polluting cars, then Americans won’t be able to buy them. While I don’t know the exact figures, I’m sure if everyone in the United States were driving a hybrid, clean car right now, I bet it’d lower our emissions. While this may seem drastic, I think only with drastic change can we really start making a difference. I couldn’t agree more with Maniates that we are grown-ups and want real answers to our “what can we do to help question” that won’t be answered with “buy efficient light bulbs”.