14 April 2013

Environmental Activism The Gap Between Facts and Action

In a time when increasing climate change is affecting the world at an
alarming rate, change in human activities is necessary to maintain the delicate
balance of the environment on our earth. Human activity is producing high amounts
of greenhouse gasses and has influenced the continuing development of acid rain,
smog, ozone depletion and a multitude of other unfavorable influences. Regardless of
an individuals personal political or social views, scientific study has shown again
and again that human activities are leading to climate change throughout the world.
Furthermore, as stated in Robert Christophersons textbook, Elemental Geosystems,
climate change is an example of a positive feedback loop when global warming
begins to melt ice, the resulting meltpond is less reflective than the ice, and it takes
in more heat, which contributes to the creation of more meltponds, and so on in that
direction (8). The paradoxical part about peoples actions regarding their impact on
the environment is that most people are at least partially aware of the scientific
findings. The information rests at the back of peoples minds, but until it is put into a
form that directly impacts them, it will remain no more than a list of figures over
which they merely glance.
While many people would say that they are concerned about the
environment, the fact is that damaging factors are a part of our everyday life. Cars,
planes, factories, etc. are an integral part of what makes up our everyday lives.
Unfortunately, however, the environmental impact of these objects is not something
we are forced to think about every day. Climate change is a gradual process that
does not seriously affect many of our current lives. Without the shock and fear that
what we are doing has a serious negative impact that will impact us, humans will
continue doing the same things they are used to. Because a constant reminder of the
environmental costs of pollution is not present, even good, well-meaning people will
engage in the activities that eventually lead to the destruction of our environment,
without even thinking about it.

Another major factor in why the public is so unaware of the details of climate
change is that they cannot relate with the scientific figures presented. Such findings
may seem lofty and irrelevant to the average person, especially to one who is not
well educated. In addition, these people tend to be susceptible to the reach of certain
groups with one-sided thinking, because they are around that social environment
and it provides an easy way to have opinions hand fed to them. Following a recent
survey, the Oregonian likened the divide in belief to people living in separate
realities based on political ideology (Learn). I find this to be a quite accurate
statement about peoples beliefs on a scientific topic. Anybody can see this playing
out, simply given the Internet and a scientific website allowing comments.
Inevitably, there will be pages and pages of raging arguments based on cue card
reactions of political affiliation, popular speculation, and groundless but highly
publicized opinion. It must be noted that the vast majority of people are not
scientific, nor do they consider the full subject in a logical or even productive
manner. Facts alone are not enough to stir people to action. They need things that
they can believe and that they can understand. Consequently, many turn to the
politically charged views that make sense to them, even if these views are not
grounded in the facts we already know. Thus the dilemma becomes not just
knowing that climate change is happening, but getting the ordinary person to do
something about it.
Framing scientific findings into a way that people can understand them and
relate to what they mean is therefore a very important part of environmental
activism. Communication plays a vital role from turning science from meaningless
studies to important, relatable, real-world considerations for the average person.
Encouraging kids to be environmentally responsible is a great way to set out
healthier goals for the next generation. Public broadcasting and education systems
can put an emphasis on responsible living, for example. If children realize the
importance of sustainability early, they can grow up to be the leaders of the future
and steer the community into a better direction.
In order to get people to care right now, however, people must be given a
solid reason to believe that making a change is going to help them now. In other

words, sustainable action must be framed in a way that people will see it as in their
own better interests. For example, as long as driving is the cheapest, most
convenient way of getting around, people will continue to do it regardless of long
term consequences. If public transportation became more reliable and affordable,
however, it would become the logical thing for people to choose. The majority of
people would then travel in a more responsible manner rather than just those
willing to make sacrifices for the environment. As social psychologists Cameron
Brick and Michael Conrardy state so insightfully, if you want to increase belief that
climate change is a problem and an emergency, perhaps think less about climate
science and more about attitudes and rationalization (Brick, et al.) Realistically,
many people are simply not going to care enough to do anything. Therefore, a
conscious effort must be made to make sustainable processes a viable option not
just possible, but desirable. The change must be rationalized in a way that the
greater public can accept. The incentive may be different, but the effect is the same.

Works Cited
Learn, Scott. "On Global Warming, Oregonians See 'Separate
Realities,' Survey Finds." The Oregonian. OregonLive, 26 Sept. 2011. Web. 15
Apr. 2013.
Christopherson, Robert W. Elemental Geosystems. London:
Pearson, 2013. 8. Print.
Brick, Cameron, and Michael Conrardy. "Why Doesnt the Public
Respond to Climate Change?" Ecology Global Network. ECG, 7 Jan. 2013. Web.
15 Apr. 2013.