I was musing on the often noted fact that only a small number of the many issues that confront the next president and congress have been discussed in this campaign. Of course, there are so many that any candidate I guess could be forgiven for not wanting to overwhelm voters with too many plans. Still, I think it is strange that climate change (global warming) hasn't been addressed. Forget the economic mess we are in; if climatologists are right, the fate of the species, let alone most other species on the planet, are at stake. And what about the so-called Patriot Act, the denial of habeas corpus, the assertion of executive power in unconstitutional ways? And what about...well, I give up; too many things to add to the pile.
On the one hand, it may be about the psychology of attention. "It's the economy, stupid", the mantra from the first Clinton presidency, is a profound statement of the way in which people prioritize issues. But I'm puzzled that McCain hasn't pushed his legislation about global warming more in the campaign. Perhaps it seems too "liberal" to please his base. On the other hand, it's exactly the sort of thing that distinguishes him from Bush and wins over the hearts of Independents. Id'be interested in your thoughts on this matter.
1 comment:
Dr. Bob,
I think a serious discussion about global warming would be too painful at this point in time -- not to mention unproductive.
Reason being, it would have to tie into the discussion about preserving the environment on a *global* scale, since for obvious reasons the US cannot go it alone. The problem is, other nations (China, call your number) place a comparatively low priority on environmental preservation, especially if taking steps to promote it would a. affect them economically, or b. undermine their long-term strategic goals.
And taking steps to preserve the environment would, inevitably, put a severe crimp in the world's economy. Especially since population growth will have to be drastically slowed -- another topic that will make a lot of people thoroughly uncomfortable for a plethora of reasons.
Another issue is that the effects of global warming, pollution, etc. are not yet clearly felt. Thus, it is possible for people even at the highest levels to deny there is much of a problem, and thus to delay taking action.
The cynic within me says it'll take widespread and painful food and fuel shortages, and perhaps a few resource wars, to wake the world up to the stark reality of environmental catastrophe. If said shortages and wars are painful enough, people might be shocked into actually doing something.
Otherwise, there is simply no incentive -- weigh the certainty of maintaining a comfortable albeit unsustainable standard of living for 10, 20 or even 30 more years (as long as any of the current politicians are likely to remain in office) against stirring up massive controversy (clean nuclear power as a stop-gap measure until we find something better? Ha!)and possibly turning society upside down politically, economically and socially to prevent a vague calamity that hasn't yet materialized... To any sane politician (at least the contemporary American species), the choice must be a no-brainer.
The above ties into another part of the problem -- that we are a quasi-democratic society, while historically some of the most impressive examples of human achievement happened under the direction of more-or-less totalitarian regimes. The reclamation of a good portion of the Netherlands from the sea during the Middle Ages comes to mind as a particularly poignant example. I very much doubt the Dutch peasantry, who did the grunt work on that project, would have elected to subject itself to years of the kind of thankless labor that was necessary to erect the dikes, dig the channels and push back the sea.
Likewise, it's hard (preposterous?) to imagine us as a nation suddenly and voluntarily (meaning without tangible discomfort to coerce us into it) deciding to significantly cut back on consumption, forgo many of our luxuries, and re-invent our lifestyles.
Sometimes, I find myself thinking that Darth Vader had it right after all...
So, combine other nations' national interest superseding environmental concerns, a lack of tangible evidence of an environmental crisis, and the nature of our own society -- and I think it's not hard to see why serious discussion with regard to environmental issues is not taking place.
--Eugene
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