Two big problems with how we work on global warming, and solutions
I recommend Before the Flood, a documentary on global warming by Leonardo Di Caprio, Martin Scorcese, and others, including music by Trent Reznor.
It’s free on YouTube [EDIT: it keeps getting removed, though people seem to repost it so if you search you may find it]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxGOQDiWImA
Two big problems
Problem #1: the people who know what’s happening—the scientists—are unskilled at influencing others and the people skilled at influencing others, like Di Caprio, don’t have credibility as actors and celebrities. The result is that the most influential people come from neither group, but from groups with personal interests, like the Koch brothers and Donald Trump. Sadly, they are the main leaders in the field.
As a result, as sea levels rise to submerge homes of billions of people, scientists are reducing the error bars on their measurements and predictions.
I like small error bars, but I prefer a more livable planet.
Problem #2: everyone believes that, while everyone needs to change their behavior overall, his or her work is important enough to justify his or her pollution. Watch how much Di Caprio flies in planes and helicopters, as do all his colleagues.
Most people I talk to about polluting less feels everyone should, except them, usually for self-serving reasons.
In other words, everyone cares about the environment until they want to see the Eiffel Tower. In the movie’s case, Di Caprio’s “Eiffel Tower” is his use of fossil fuels to show how we’ve burned too much fossil fuel.
Two big solutions
Solution to problem #1: one big solution to the first problem is to teach leadership and entrepreneurship skills to scientists so that they can influence others with what they know, not hide behind a premise of just reporting data.
Solution to problem #2: people have to choose to use far less fossil fuels, even when they think using them would help, then to learn and share that they aren’t depriving themselves of something they want, but enjoying other things. At least that’s how it’s worked for me. I don’t miss flying because I’m not sitting here lamenting not flying. I’m enjoying where I live. My experience consuming less has added to my life.
I hope we stop conflating consuming material things with happiness and emotional reward. I’ve found consuming and owning less improves my happiness and emotional reward
I call the solution to problem #1 taking responsibility and the solution to problem #2 living with integrity.
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