How has our culture contributed to the problem of global warming?

Question

Which American values are implicated in the crisis posed by global warming, and to what extent, if at all, must these values be adapted or abandoned in order to address the problem?
Something that really stands out to me is our individualistic and materialistic culture, and how concerned we are with appearances, and the notion of "bigger is better". What do you think?

Answer 1

You asked about which American values contribute to the problem of global warming* (*human-induced). Here are my 20:

1. Stubborn Right-eousness: "Global warming is a hoax. All those left-wing liberals & crazy environmentalists are making this up. They like to terrorize people. We're right on this one."

2. Recklessness & Imprudence: "Global Warming hasn't been proven yet, so maybe it's not happening. I'll take that chance. Better safe than sorry? That's for wimps."

3. Irresponsibility: "Global Warming isn't my fault, so why should I do anything about it? I'm just one person." and "Other countries are doing it, too. China and India didn't sign Kyoto, either. So why should America do anything?"

4. Denial: "Polar ice caps, ice sheets, and glaciers are all melting worldwide at accelerated rates? It's not that bad. It could be a coincidence." "What, most scientists think Global Warming is occurring? They could all be wrong. I could be right - even though I'm not a scientist."

5. Arrogance: "We're Americans. We have money & technology. We can fix the problem and come up with solutions later, if it really does get bad. Everything'll work out. We're Americans. Don't worry."

6. Short-sightedness & Short-term Thinking: "Global Warming will probably take a long time - so we still have lots of time. We'll hurt the economy too much if we transition too quickly."

7. Ignorance: "You mean almost everything I buy requires oil in order to make, which contributes to Global Warming & helps to pollute the environment? I didn't know that..."

8. Small-mindedness & Local/Provincial Thinking: "I live Inland in a Northern region, so if it gets Warmer & Sea Levels Rise, it's not going to affect me! Actually, it might be better for me. My real estate prices would go up."

9. Selfishness: "Who are you to tell me what I can do? I LOVE my SUV, and that's that!"

10. Extreme Selfishness: "Global Warming isn't going to get bad until after 50, 100 years? I'll be dead by then, and since I also don't plan on having any kids, I'm just going to enjoy my life."

11. Uncompassionate, Uncaring: "So what if the polar bears die, Florida gets flooded, and islands disappear? People & animals can all move if they want. They have legs."

12. Convenience: "Are you kidding me? I'm not going to carpool, take the bus, ride a bike, walk, or find another way to get around! It's too much time & trouble."

13. Corporate Greed: "We need/want to make profits for our shareholders."

14. Corporate Irresponsibility: "We don't force anybody to buy our oil and burn it."

15. Personal Greed: "I work for Exxon in middle-management, so if we get more profits, I can get more stock options and be a millionaire sooner."

16. Personal Financial Security: "I work for Exxon in an entry-level position, and I need this job in order feed me & my family."

17. Vanity: "I'm not driving a hybrid! They don't look cool & sexy enough. I like my BMW." (or Ferrari, etc.)

18. Laziness: "It's a lot of trouble to trade in my car. I'll get around to it later, eventually. I'll wait until they pass new laws."

19. Apathy: "To tell you the truth, I just don't care. So don't waste your breath."

20. Self-Absorption: "Global Warming? I have too many other things in my life going on in my life right now to learn or do anything about it."

I just noticed 2 of the above comments that were stubbornly against the reality of human-induced Global Warming - and just realized something. Have you ever noticed that they are all MALES??? (From my experience - and I'm a guy.) They must have something against just being Kind & Respectful to Mother Earth. Unsympathetic & Uncaring "morons", to use the first poster's term.

Answer 2

First, for hundreds of thousands of years the earth has gone through a series of global high and lows. The difference between a high and low temperature on the whole is less than 1 degree.

Something else, an educated person will realize that the majority of global warming during the 20th century occurred between 1900 and 1950 instead of between 1951 and 1999. Alarmist won't often reveal that fact. Why is it when we have record snowfall and much of the US is in the midst of deep snow and blizzard conditions, we here little about global warming?

Those who follow the Al Gore types desire to get society to do the right thing by presenting half-truths, some falsehoods and manipulating of facts. They fail to tell you that there are as many if not more scientist who disagree with the concept of global warming than those who do. With threats of cataclysmic destruction they wish for you to follow their credo of being a good citizen of the world.

I honestly believe that their objectives are noble. And, many actually believe the misinformation they project, but bottom line, if they wanted us to be better citizens of the world and conserve and do the things they say we should do, they should just ask instead of trying to scare us to do the right thing.

Answer 3

This is a global problem not just America, and NO i'm not from the US.

Global Warming is caused by Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest U.S. source of carbon dioxide pollution -- they produce 2.5 billion tons every year. Automobiles, the second largest source, create nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually.

Here's the good news: technologies exist today to make cars that run cleaner and burn less gas, modernize power plants and generate electricity from nonpolluting sources, and cut our electricity use through energy efficiency.

The challenge is to be sure these solutions are put to use.

It's refreshing to hear others in the world have the same views and concerns about our planet and not just themselves because its going to take a conscious effort from ALL mankind especially our governments to try and make things better. I just hope we have not caused a chain reaction of sorts in our eco systems and are not to late

Answer 4

Oh God, do you have a few hours to talk about this?

For starters, we're too damn dependent on our cars, and the reasons for this cover many facets. Second, we consume too much. Lots of our consumer products are made from the oil we're so hooked on.

If we had better public transportation and less overall consumption, that would be an improvement. But I think federal/state mandates are the only way to ensure success of reducing global warming. However, since our congresspeople are fed by corporate America, that isn't likely to happen.

Answer 5

1) Moving away from the city and driving long distance to work
2) lack of usage of public transportation
3) Using electricity for everything.
4) Too much usage of plastic
and...
5) Denying there is no global warming or not caring about it

These can be some of the facts

Answer 6

we can no longer have our old human habits of only caring about immediate gain, not the wealth of having a beautiful planet and keeping it. Its so terrible how people animals and trees are dying due to global warming. It droughts in some places while it floods in others. Diseases are increasing because the winters that used to kill off the deadly bugs now arent happening enough, and the bugs spread diseases. Individual problems are minor compared to this, this is for our great great grandchildren, so they can actually live, this is for our pets, our house plants and our neighbors great great grand children, people! conserve energy.

Answer 7

Word. In short I would say our capitolistic values come from exchange theory: greed, convenience, individualiy, competition, and thrift are what values result from this.
I would say our culture is the biggest contributor to global warming because things like burning the rain forest in South America for cattle grazing is done for American industries. People who are making big money off of resources like, oil or cattle, don't care about the long term consequences as much as their short term benefits. Competition is a value associated with exchange theory, instead of seeing ourselves as connected to the Earth and each other, we see ourselves as individuals (as you mentioned) and it's each man/woman for him/her self. Competition is the opposite of cooperation and sustainability is not possible without cooperation.
We are also a disposable culture as if there is such a place as "away" to throw all the stuff we no longer want such as, old cell phones, batteries, computers, etc.
Convenience is also a contributor to global warming. Example, we don't want spend time cleaning so we buy paper plates, mops we can throw "away", paper napkins, paper towels, plastic cups, etc. And we don't want to remember to bring reusable grocery bags to the store or reusable tupperware to restaurants for our leftovers. We eat fast food.
Also we want to save a buck which is once again short sighted. What I mean is it's cheaper to buy "conventional" than organic in one way, but in many other ways it's more expensive it takes way more natural resources to produce and bring "conventional" food to you local stores. Conventional means; government welfare (tax dollars), less local jobs and, less money staying in the local economy, so in reality its far more expensive to eat "conventional food" but the cost are hidden.
I do think it's possible to be materialistic without contributing to global warming. I'm more of an idealist but i'm just saying.

Answer 8

Global warming has contributed to our culture by exposing how many morons per capita there are. How our culture has contributed to global warming is by those same morons feeding into the hype. It's herd mentality.

Answer 9

I think you need to do your own homework.