Every Hand Helps

I must say that I really appreciate Mr. Maniates enthusiasm! We have all seen the books about the easy steps and the lazy way, it’s enticing to pick them up and be lulled into the sense of security you get from thinking that taking a shorter shower is all you have to do to save the world. Of course, this isn’t the case, and those of us truly interested in environmental problems already know that. I had never really thought of it before as being treated as a child, being given a kindergartener’s homework when I’m already in the fifth grade, but in reality, that’s actually what it is. Of course, everyone has to start somewhere.

What about those who have just developed an environmental awareness though? Hitting them all at once with a Greenpeace strategy for environmental protection could scare them into doing nothing. Telling a new comer all the doom and gloom horror stories, without offering them a few simple solutions that they can immediately commit to, seems like a quick way to scare them off. Being involved in the environmental movement can be depressing and challenging, even for those of us already well invested in it; the little things make us feel better.

There’s also a line to be drawn for every person, a level of commitment to any cause that they really won’t cross; it’s a matter of priorities. Some have a much higher capacity to commit to the environmental cause, while others truly believe that other things are much more important. But isn’t it nice that even those who don’t have such a high capacity are still contributing in small ways. It’s not a zero sum game, just some players a bigger than others. For those big players, you can individually decide how big you want to be. If you’re serious about sacrificing and committing fully to the movement, then Greenpeace can offer you that option. Moderates have the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club, and everyone else has their ‘easy guides.’ If you’re in the fifth grade you don’t have to pick up the little kids homework, but personally I think it’s nice to find ways that everyone can help out – turning off all the lights always makes me feel better. True, the revolution could be bigger, but not all of us can play the role of Paul Revere, some of us have to be the insignificant and unremembered soldiers and housewives who won the war.