Can one person make a difference regarding the environment?

Question

I was reading an article in Sunday's Houston Chronicle on a professor from the University of Texas named Eric Pianka, who in regards to caring for the environment, and lessening one's imprint on the earth, stated that it more or less doesn't really matter. Quoting the article, "In truth, it backfires", and "when you walk or ride a bike or drive a Prius, all you do is encourage some expletive out there to drive a Hummer or an Excursion."

Is the professor right, that it doesn't really matter what you do? That environmental preservation efforts aren't really worth it?

Thoughtful answers please, not reactionary stuff. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with him: I'm just curious if anyone read this and what they think. Here's the article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4143416.html

Answer 1

everyone can make a difference to his or her own environment and to their local environment

decide what kind of environment you want, and then work to get there

I agree with your professor that if lots of people choose to use less of a certain thing, say gasoline, that will move to reduce the price of gasoline and therefore someone else may use more than they would have if the price were higher

but it doesn't actually balance, most people don't want to drive a hummer and won't no matter how cheap gas is

It is equally true that the decisions that everybody makes matters and you are part of everybody. If everybody chose as you choose, then you would get the results you choose, so by making that choice yourself and encouraging it in others, you do in fact make a difference

It is a corallary to the "prisoner's dilemna" to say that since others might make a choice I disagree with, I will do so also.

Answer 2

I have to say that it's interesting that out of that whole article you picked that one quote to discuss...the whole thing is fascinating.

As to what he said about it not mattering what individuals do, and that it will backfire, it's an interesting idea. Couldn't you also say, though, that some people running around in Hummers makes others want to turn in their cars for bikes? How does he, or anyone else know, that it doesn't run both ways?

I think it's a no-brainer that no one person can save the world by recycling or not using fuel all on their own, but the hope is that enough people are trying to lessen their impact on the earth just enough that together it will make a difference. I realize that is really optimistic, of course, most people don't try at all.

I do agree with him that the world might be better with only %10 of the population left...

Answer 3

Remember CFC's and how the world banned them due to ozone depletion? Those were good times. What no one said, except the entire country of Switzerland, and this here is the kicker. The corporations that used CFC's had to replace them, and with something cheap not the right way. The chemicals they used to replace them, and the method of their production have now doubled the harmful out put of greenhouse gasses, and are doing twice the damage as our old friend the CFC. Until we change the attitude that America is spreading to the world of "I want the same product tomorrow for cheaper than today, but I don't want to know about the consequences of how the price was reduced", there will be nothing that one person can do. Except teach the next generation about our failures. Each one, teach one, and take the time to really reach one.

Answer 4

I think that type of logic is a lame excuse for someone who is to lazy to take the small steps that make a differance. Truthfully his logic is flawed - he is making an if/then statement that if you do something for the environment then someone else will automatically do something negative to the environment. That is not a logical statement.

This guy would have us think that we can't change anything anywhere because one person can't make a differance? Right! Then why do we remember people like Rosa Parks, Christopher Columus, Malcom X or even Hitler? Hell hitler was just one guy and look at all the change he brought about. . . (not that I'm praising him by any means). I'm just saying that one person can and will make a differance.

Answer 5

Yes a person can make a difference! The difference will get bigger if be riding a bike you explain your family and friends why you're doing it, why to you it's important to be vegetarian, why you think that they should make public transportation more accessible instead of building yet another bridge (I had to explain why around me!). Every little thing we do toward the environment is good and will have greater impact if we show the next generation how to take care of the earth and explain to everyone else why we're doing it.

Answer 6

I can understand what Professor Pianka is saying yet even though it may seem as though environmental preservation efforts aren't worth it, I believe that many people will still be involved in it due to their conscience. Even though they may not really be making an impact on the world, it gives them hope that they themselves are helping to save their planet.

Answer 7

I'm more optimistic than that professor. If One person makes a difference every day it does add up. The best thing that has happened to this environment has been $3 a gal gas. The gas hogs get parked or driven very little. Every little bit helps.

Answer 8

Yes, one person can make a difference. It may be insignificant in the scheme of things, but it is a positive step. And if your actions encourage another to do the same, and so on, then there is a roll on effect.

Industry is largely responsible for pollution etc but if you choose not to buy from wasteful producers and and buy from those who give a damn, then $$ talks and can help convince the wasteful to become more efficient, even if profits are still their prime motivation.

Answer 9

i personally agree with him.

The loss of the human race wouldn't make a big difference in the viability of life on the planet.

losing species is a regular occurrence on planet earth and the effect of human contamination I believe has gone on too long to reverse.

Answer 10

I believe anyone can make a difference one person at a time, in Wisconsin a group of boyscouts cleaned a section of highway every month, what happened? soon people were adopting sections of highway to clean on a regular basis!