Do Americans have the right to expect to keep consuming an inordinate amount of the world's resources ?

Question

What will it take to make us change our lifestyle.

Answer 1

NO! It seems that Americans always wait for things to get to "crisis point" before they decide to react... it'is sad, but take a look at our track record. As H.G. Wells put it, "History is a race between education and disaster." There are countless "catastrophe curves" headed our way but we are as complacent as ever (Yawn! Ho-hum)

Answer 2

First of all, it's not my place to decide what rights Americans should have, since I don't live there. I'm just calling things as I see them.

Secondly, I'm not aiming this at you personally, but, in general, Americans think they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, regardless of the impact and consequences. It's an egotistical thing that I don't expect to disappear anytime soon, and judging from some of the responses thus far, that's a fair assessment.

You're the most developed, and industralized country in the world, and you also consume the most resources of any country on the planet, BY FAR.
Unfortunately, you have an adminstration who doesn't consider the environment to be high on their agenda.

Answer 3

Good luck with that.
America is a consumer nation. And a debtor one too.
As long as americans believe that they have some sort of divine right to use 90% of the world's resources despite being 10% of the world's population, they will continue to do so.

Answer 4

There are so many factors, but really it all comes down to money.

How much do you think it would cost to refit every factory to make green cars? How much money will it cost of rework Coal facilities to be safe enough to use in the long term without polluting ourselves to death. What will happen to all the people who work in the oil industry if suddenly people stop using oil because we are all driving hybrid cars?

We need an exit strategy - and you can see some of the car manufacturers are smart enough to start gradually making those changes now, instead of waiting for them to have to do it all at once because there is a new law.

The bottom line is the auto and energy industries (to not include air and military transports that would also to have to undergo huge refittings) have lobbys that are very wealthy and very powerful in this country and they are going to delay the change for as long as they can. It is up to Americans to buy and use energy efficient products only. What we buy, they make more of - simple as that.

I read an awesome story by Robert Heinlein once about a guy who figured out how to make a cheap electrical source for pennies using household things. Rather than take his idea to the energy companies, he published it in the local paper. He was shortly there after killed for completely pulling the bottom out of the energy business. There are an aweful lot of people who have their whole lives locked up in money they earn working for energy companies.

Peace!

Answer 5

All of this America bashing is starting to get really old. Did you know that we do pay for what we use? And, we also use up resources to help other countries who aren't as fortunate. Americans are into recycling. Is your country into recycling? Does your country have nature reserves and rules and laws protecting endangered species? Your question is accusatory and jealous, in my opinion. I don't really want any points but it sure is fun getting two points for letting you know that we are not all that you accuse us of being. All people are basically good in one way or another. Even you! And me, American or not.

Answer 6

Most Americans somehow believe they're privy to everything based on economic stature. Once these resources dwindle and the divide widens, we'll see who'll be crying!!

Answer 7

We pay the bills so we get the resources. The other countries like it when we buy their supplies. They love our money because it is actually worth something.

Answer 8

the American people is what keeping the world resources together without us the world leader will fall apart they need our money

Answer 9

Wow! A left wing liberal with my name...I don't belive it. Yeah we can use what we need, we could produce more of it too if the EPA would get their nose out of our oil business and let us drill in our own country and build some new refineries.

Answer 10

Of course... we rule the world! Bwahahahahaah! (continues for 3 minutes).