Time to step up

I agree with Michael Maniates article detailing that doing little things are going to do a lot to help the environment. Now don't get me wrong I feel that everyone must be environmentally responsible and recycling is a great way to lessen your impact on the environment. People though need to stop looking at the short term and say well I recycled I should be fine. Also The issue though is that lessening your impact does not negate the fact that there is still a substantial impact on the environment. To be more environmentally friendly we as a country and as a global community must take the steps to eliminate the impact altogether not just lessen.

The author's argument is that the United States needs to take the lead in how the world deals with climate change and other environmental issues because we are the world's superpower. If the United States is willing to take large steps to make a significant change in our policy other countries around the world will follow our lead. If the U.S. said we will penalize any country that does not take drastic steps to change their development programs to be in line with what needs to be done to stop climate change and promote sustainable growth of their economies that don't destroy our planet change would happen.

Another interesting point that the author argues for is that we need to not make this an economic issue but rather an issue that transcends economic labels in order to make it an issue that is not in dispute. By forming it as an economic issue it gives an out to people who say that doing something that will preserve our planet will hurt our economic interests but they must realize that this hurts the economic aspect in the long term. We must as Americans stop asking those in power what we can do but rather collectively come together and say enough is enough we demand a solution to the problems of our world. We are done sitting on the sidelines and letting those in power do nothing, everyone must step up and be willing to make sacrifices to save our planet and our own future.