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Topic: Monbiot on Environmental Denial

lagatta
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2534

posted 12 August 2003 05:37 PM

George Montbiot of the Guardian wonders why the incremental evidence of impending environmental disaster only encourages denial: http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1016597,00.html

From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

Cougyr
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3336

posted 12 August 2003 06:47 PM

Denial is the usual human response to impending doom. Actually, I don't think denial is the biggest problem. I think that the biggest problem is the "pissing contest." We've all seen these. On a school yard, it's just kids daring each other. But some people don't grow up. So we find companies dumping garbage in the lake or air and saying that they won't clean up until the other businesses do. And governments saying that if they force their businesses to clean up they they will lose competitiveness and jobs will be lost. The end result is that the biggest bully out there sets the standard.

From: over the mountain | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

CanadianAlien
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1219

posted 15 August 2003 01:14 PM

I agree 'denial' is a characteristic of humans (in fact, all living organisms) facing change. Biologically it can be explained by minimizing energy expenditure unless absolutely necessary. Also, generally speaking, appropriate responses to an organisms survival are provided via an evolutionary adaptation ie, future generations, not the present generation, have appropriate or better responses. This has been simplified in the 'frog in boiling water' adage.

quote:
we find companies dumping garbage in the lake or air and saying that they won't clean up until the other businesses do. And governments saying that if they force their businesses to clean up they they will lose competitiveness and jobs will be lost.

I don't understand why blame should stop at 'corporations' or 'governments'. These words are just other ways of saying 'groups of individuals'. In terms of environmental impacts, each and every Canadian can take direct responsibility for environmental impacts.

It is each and everyone of us, as individuals, who are in denial. Of course, this also means that collectively, corporations, governments, etc are in denial too.

From: Toronto | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged

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