Interview by Yale 360 March 18, 2009

http://www.e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2130

This is a link to an interview that  addresses the disconnect between the science and findings on climate change - politics (esp. policy)- media/journalism- and the general public. I admit it’s a bit long, but I think it’s an underdiscussed topic and the journalist being interviewed  gives a good overview of the situation and how it’s broken and the consequences of the lack of integrated communication.

I get frustrated with the lack of REAL information out there about climate change or more generally the need to dramatically change our practices to sustainable acts- from manufacturing to daily consumption. I know our media is perpetually charged with fear-mongering (and rightfully so)- but at the same time, somehow, our news can’t seem to get across to the general public the immediacy of the environmental crisis. I’m constantly trying to figure out what elements cause us (me included) to dismiss our own responsibility in an unsustainable system- how we got here and how we can change. Is it a general sense of personal acts not having impact in such a large global system that’s gone awry? A lack of a sense of agency in the face of enormously powerful corporations? Is is because we don’t experience the immediacy of the crisis in the same way we experience the impact of the economic crisis? Is it because we’ve become so aware of the media’s function as “entertainment”- flashy graphics, polarizing “debate” shows that dumb down real issues….and on and on — that we dismiss all reporting as overblown rants and raves for ratings? Is it the politicization of the issue- identifying issues of sustainability with “liberal” politics- the “bleeding-heart liberal” who wants to save the rainforest so they can be seen a a “do-gooder” ? Is it that we just don’t want to give up the luxuries we have- even the small, seemingly inconsquential ones like taking a couple extra minutes to rinse out a plastic container and putting it in a recyling bin or remembering to bring a cloth bag when we shop or choosing to walk across the street to the next shop rather than drive? I am just as guilty as the next person- I threw out a plastic container the other day because I didn’t want walk downstairs to scrub it in the ladies bathroom and put it in a bin down the hall from my office- complete disclosure here (ugh, I’m seriously embarrassed even though I KNOW i’m not the only one). Or maybe it’s that general mentality: if so-and-so’s not going to do it, why should I bother? Or: will I look like a weirdo or be labelled a tree-hugging, self-righteous hippie- what if I don’t want people thinking I am a member of that sort of “club”. Or maybe it’s just fear of change, or lack of desire to change. for example: it’s a blast to open a bunch of new sparkling presents on your birthday- the tradition and childhood memories of ripping open the paper and opening up the box of the newest, coolest toy out there, that shows that these people got together and went out and bought you stuff because you’re special and deserve the best- to be treated like a king/queen for a day. I give this example because I’m struggling with Cooper’s pending birthday. I don’t want him to connect happiness with being showered with the newest toys and set that expectation for every birthday. And yet, I know the complexities of trying to expain this to others: there is the possibility they’ll be insulted :”You have had lots of wonderful toys that we – parents, grandparents-aunts and uncles and friends– sacrificed to buy for you. Now you’re saying that that is “shallow,” “less than” what you want for your own child”. There is the fact that I can’t tell others what to do- they all have their own unique relationship with Cooper and have a right to give him what they want. There is the concern that others feel I’m pushing my own ethics/ ways of living on them if I were to request no store-bought gifts for Cooper’s bday. It means denying others something they find pleasurable- seeing Cooper do the things their kids, cousins, neices and nephews and siblings did. And yet, we’re becoming increasingly aware that these things– our ways of living over the past 100 years – have contributed to destroying the very ecosytems we need  to continue to live on the planet. So couldn’t we just find a new way to recreate these feelings of happiness? or are we REALLY that tied to traditions that require buying new stuff? These are my questions. How do we change? And, how to convince others to change as well- because it can’t just be the choice of a few people, it has to involve everyone changing to meet the needs of everyone that comes after us- not some far off ancestor either- our children and our children’s children. I know this sounds heavy handed and dramatic, how do we get over the fact that it IS this dramatic? It’s not “just” a war – or an economic downturn- as dramatic and destructive as these things are, we know that future generations and the human race survive these sorts of devastation. But if we continue to trash the earth, there’s no “coming back” from it.

I know, this blog sucks. A big fat downer. There are days I can feel excited about the little things I see going on around me that seem to be addressing these concerns and creating “change”. But some days, I’m just frustrated, unsure what to do next. I’m in a lucky position that my career allows me to teach about these issues, as I teach students how to find the language and communication skills to share their own findings with more people.  My scholarly writing is another outlet which allows me a chance to explore and research these areas (frontier literature has a deep connection to the American movements of conservation and environmentalism- although often ironically). I don’t think the AIG news is lifting my spirits either. To see that scale of greed and lack of conscience is devastating. I thought once the Bush era was over I’d be less addle -brained from shaking my head all the time, but the headlines of corporate greed and destruction with no sense of responsibility or guilt are numbing. Ok, next post: something hopeful, promise.

Becoming Less January 13, 2009

 

A new year, a new blog. Although I am not  abandoning my dissertation blog, I want to start a blog that lends itself to sharing with family and friends a more inclusive glimpse at what I’m working on in  the more various facets of my life. As the name of the blog and this post suggests, I do have  a centralizing theme and purpose. One of the central concerns of our family these days is learning more about how to lessen our toxic impact on the planet and, more directly, on our bodies. As most of you know, we have taken incremental steps over the past few years to become more conscious of the chemicals in our foods and our home. Although this inclination started probably 5 or 6 years ago (certainly one milestone would be when Dan read Fast Food Nation). Since we’ve become parents we have more actively sought out information on this topic. These days we are trying to take tiny steps toward detoxifying ourselves and our environment. Our newest undertaking  (I hesitate to call it a New Year resolution- since Dan doesn’t believe in those….) is a pact to try to not buy anything “new” in the next year. (This is inspired by a group that tried this in San Franciso called The Compact) Now, obviously this has all sort of small print attached: groceries, personal products, gas… these will be bought. And, no doubt, there will be things that will arise that in the end we decide to buy new. However, the primary impulse of this “undertaking” is to become more conscious of what we buy, to stop and think about the impact of whatever we are considering rather than blind purchases in a moment of impulsive want. Dan and I like to think we have become more “consumer-conscious” and cut back on purchasing/consuming as a form of entertainment, but certainly the fact that we’ve noticed that the employees at walmart recognize us as regulars does nothing to help continue this self-delusion. So, we’ve decided to try this exercise in restraint in order to see where our weaknesses crop up. what will we miss? what will we cheat on (yes, we know it’s inevitable)? What will we struggle with? How will we draw lines or make concessions? What will we NOT miss? So part of this blog will document this process.

 

I have noticed that we  (Dan and I as well as many others I talk to) often  get discouraged when we think about the scope of the problem of toxic chemicals in our world. Certainly, if any real change and rehabilitation of our planet and bodies is going to happen – it needs to be addressed  by our government  by regulations on the manufacturing  and agricultural industry. The fact that we try to buy a laundry detergent without phosphates or phlatates (more info on this in a later post) often seems ridiculously inconsequential. However, as we’ve become more committed to trying to become more conscious and responsible on a personal level, we have noticed how it has benefitted us in multiple, unexpected ways – even if we can’t see the direct results. Although it may (sometimes) cost more to buy that organic shampoo or take more time to shop around for a used item rather than buying something new (more immediately and maybe just as if not more cheaply) at Walmart, slowing down and thinking about our purchases has felt better. I know that’s an ambiguous description, but I’ll work on trying to articulate what it’s doing for us better in various posts later on. It is also surprisingly liberating to have LESS choices. That’s partially why I titled this post “becoming less,”  having 5 or 6 shampoos on the shelf to choose from in the organic aisle just feels simpler and easier than the typical aisle upon aisle in our megastores. When’s the last time you counted the different brands of deodorant? It’s sort of crazy. Also, ‘becoming less” has to do with our move toward buying food with fewer preservatives and artifical additives. I think food is one of the areas that’s broadly recognized by most people as a “problem” that needs to be addressed. However, all of the conflicting information (not to mention “greenwashing“) has made many of us throw up our hands and go about our normal buying and eating practices. Dan and I spend a lot of time sifting through information. Over the past couple years we have come across so many websites, books, magazines, movies and even TV shows that have made us more knowledgeable and raised our consciousness – this allows us a space to pass these sources on to others who may be interested as well. We also hope this becomes a space where others feel free to add their voice to the discussion, to post comments or reactions, counterarguments or different perspectives as well as additional source sharing. 

Overall, I hope this will be a space to document our struggles and discoveries this year as we work toward healthier living . This will include becoming more conscious of what we consume- whether it be food or “stuff”, raising our consciousness of our surroundings and how we interact with them- whether it’s in our immediate home with each other, our more indirect interactions with others in town, or thinking about our distant interactions globally- the impact of what we buy or do on other people, creatures, landscapes. What we are putting into our bodies as well as taking out of our wallets.  As an economic endeavor as well as a project in physical and mental wellness. And some days “healthy” will just mean what new crazy game Cooper has come up with to make me laugh.  

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