Pollan: Why Bother?

Just read Pollan's article Why Bother? The reading starts off with the author speaking of all the reasons to not "go green". He says that even if somebody were to turn their life upside down that there would be some other person, maybe in a developing country, who is buying the SUV and has moved to the city and is becoming the massive consumer that you chose not to be. He says this while also using the phrase carbon foot print. which is then used frequently until the end of the article. While continuing to rant over how the individual may be helpless in the fight against climate change, he says it may just be less of a hassle to "buy the imported chops from Costco". After that he quotes a man that says personal virtue is not enough and that laws and money will need to be brought in for climate change to be addressed fully.
      Pollan goes on to explain ways of combating the climate change. He describes the need for people to develop a personal relationship with the earth and not to be reliant and helpless on fossil fuels when there may be a point that they can not be used in the near future. He describes planting your own garden and the benefits not just to your carbon footprint but also to your entire life. Lifestyle is brought up as the major thing which will be affected by climate change and he presents ideas such as growing some of your own food, and using resources at your disposal; such as the sun and the soil for some of your needs.
    This was a good article, it did provide some ideas as to what an individual can hope to do to help against climate change. One thing I really felt was missing was a much more pressing idea as to what could push a people off of fossil fuels. Not a social conciseness which goes viral and all of a sudden everybody respects the Earth. Because, frankly, I highly doubt that would ever happen. Money is what I feel was not spoken enough about. And when it was spoken of, it was in the wrong way. He describes people now as have a "cheap energy mind" and urges people to not thik that way. But the fact is, energy is becoming very expensive. Ask somebody who heats their home in the winter, or has an hour long commute to work everyday by car. The cheap energy mind is a thing of the past, and soon people are going to start going green out of necessity. People may not start growing their own food because they can not afford any, although that is probably a good idea. But people will start turning the thermostat down when they see that bill, and will either look for new work or find a different way to get there is the gas pump is taking half of their pay.
      This article does present climate change as a pressing issue, but there are still many doubters out there about the extent of our role in it. At one point he asks if you have recently seen a climate scientist, because they look very scared. That is the perfect example of how this is an opinion based essay, and nothing to be scared about. Not that anyone was scared, but just in case. Another controversial issue there is on the dependence on fossil fuels which is brought up as a reason to go green is the possibility of a supply of oil running out. While this paper does get the readers attention it should definitely be taken with a heavy grain of salt. The author provides some useful ideas as how to get back in touch with yourself and community while also helping the environment. Do it! But also realize, soon, unless you have a lot of extra income, you may be forced to change your way of living anyway.