Where is the Outrage from Those Who Can Afford to be Outraged?

Unfortunately, I must agree with the overall idea of Maniates article. Many of the environmental actions requested by environmentalists and politicians today appeal to the laziness of Americans. Though as Maniates says “Surely we must do the easy things,” many seem to think that by doing the “easy things,” they are doing their part to save the earth, while really they are only slightly counter-acting the damages they themselves cause. If something is difficult or inconvenient, Americans are often reluctant to do it. While politicians have the most power to take actions and pass policies that will make a widespread difference, we must remember that they also do want to be re-elected and are therefore unwilling to take strong stances so as not to offend any voting bloc.

I think that people will continue down this road until the problems become more real and immediate to them. Take oil for instance: it was not until shortages caused a raise in prices that Americans were willing to give up some of their driving even though people have been advocating alternative transportation methods for years.

Globally, we face the problem that those who have the money and power to make environmental changes are not exposed to many of the problems, while those that live with them daily have no means to change things. If all of the waste, pollution, toxic chemicals, etc. that are created and used for the benefit of American consumers were to stay in America, close to where people live, action would be taken because there would be outrage from people who can afford to be outraged. Americans, though, do not often experience the effects of the damages they cause, and can live a life of contradiction, saying that they “care about the environment” while making next to no effort in their own life to do stop the harm befalling it.

Sarah makes a very valid and interesting point, that we are our own enemy. I agree. Our environmental problems are manmade, and there is not one defined group that we can see as the enemy because all have contributed.