What’s the Point?
September 25th, 2007 | Posted in Energy, Environment, Responsibility, Society, Technology
Thomas Friedman’s, “Doha and Dalian,” piece from last Wednesday’s New York Times is depressing, for sure, but also capitulating. His message to Americans: there’s no point of buying hybrids or using compact fluorescent light bulbs since energy-consuming development in Asia is negating those efforts. Well, I might as well stop working out, ’cause I’m gonna die no matter what.
The end of the human race is inevitable, but shouldn’t we do whatever we can to prolong our existence, and make that existence as comfortable as possible? That’s the logic I use when I roll out of bed too few times a week, early in the morning, to move heavy crap up and down, though I suppose I could be wearing blinders. Also, just because the Middle East and China are spewing out tons and tons of pollution doesn’t mean Americans shouldn’t take action to improve conditions on their side of the planet. Fat smokers tax the healthcare system, but still, I get up and move heavy crap around every now and then to offset the damage they do. Am I crazy in thinking people in the most powerful country in the world can have a say in the future of the planet?
I understand that the ecosystem is one, and that what is done in Asian affects the U.S., but that’s no reason to crawl into a hole and wait for the end. Prosperity, especially for the poor, should take priority over the environment in some cases and Friedman agrees, saying, “I am not blaming them. It is a blessing that their people are growing out of poverty. And, after all, they’re just following the high-energy growth model pioneered by America. We’re still the world’s biggest energy hogs, but we’re now producing carbon copies in places you’ve never heard of.”
Only a sustainable society can take care of itself and evolve in an environmentally friendly way. And if these new Americas are following in the original’s footsteps to prosper, I trust these countries will also look to America again, but as an example of environmental sustainability once they’ve crossed a threshold of economic sustainability. Let’s make sure they aren’t disappointed.
Sphere: Related ContentRelated Posts
6 Responses to “What’s the Point?”
By George on Sep 26, 2007
Freidman makes the erroneous assumption that these governments will not take advantage of new technologies as they become available. Just reading about flexible solar cells that are 21% efficient. If I were the leader of India or China would I want to invest billions in old technology, or in new technology. Just like the cell phone is replacing the old copper and fiber optic cable to give communication to people in remote areas, the new technologies will do the same for energy. I have to believe that right now Chery Motors is designing a small, cheap hybrid. Currently these nations are stuck with the old technologies, but in 50 years it will be interesting to see where the US is compared to them. They are investing heavily in the new technologies, we are not.
By George on Sep 26, 2007
Spoke too soon, should have checked first, Chery already has a hybrid:
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/16/chery-unveiling-first-mass-produced-chinese-hybrid-in-beijing/
By Vihar Sheth on Sep 26, 2007
I’ll check out the link when I get a chance, thanks. Friedman’s doom and gloom attitude is very disconcerting, especially when people look for any excuse at all to not waiver from the status quo. Telling uninformed Americans none of it matters is sabotage!
By Water Boy on Oct 11, 2007
Right you are, every little bit helps. The last thing society needs is another excuse not to go green.