Chapter Five
Blockages
Having come this far in examining the two most powerful engines driving the world towards an unsustainable future - population and economic growths
- it begs the question, what is stopping us correcting course for a sustainable world? What are the blockages?
First, it must be granted that some measures are indeed being taken to lead us to a sustainable global environment. The Kyoto Protocol is an example.1) But the measures proposed are not being adopted by all countries. The U.S. has not signed up, mostly for economic reasons. Canada has signed on but it is not reaching the proposed levels of constraint. So, what then are the blockages that are stopping us making progress toward reasonable goals? I have listed a few.
1. Apathy
Apathy of the general public is often pointed out as a cause of not enforcing proper actions in the interests of sustainability. The public is heavily influenced by the media and the media are too often focused on getting the attention of their audience by whatever means - "breaking news", game shows, entertainment. Hence, a lack of interest on the part of the public for serious issues, particularly those of a long term nature.
Complacency, like apathy, is another form of dis- interest and therefore of inaction. The British expression ‘‘I’m all right Jack’’ is a common one in this regard.
Looking in Google for a definition of apathy comes up with ‘‘It’s not important: don’t worry about it.’’
2. Denial
On matters of importance there is often an attitude of denial. This is particularly so if the issues involve major changes or are frightening to behold. Climate change has been in denial for a long time, and is still so for some people.
Thomas Homer-Dixon in his book The Upside of Down 2) identifies three stages of denial. The first stage says the issue just doesn’t exist; the second stage admits the problem but says it doesn’t matter; the third says we are just not going to think about it.
So denial is a blockage to taking action on major problems that people cannot face.
Another search on Google 3) brought up this quote from a politician in India, Sanjay Nirupam ‘‘One always hears about AIDS and how it’s this big problem. But I have personally never come across anyone with AIDS or seen anyone dying of the disease.. . . I think it’s just hype.’’ Hard to believe, but there it is.
I think that after the Katrina disaster in the U.S. many people returned to their homes in denial that it could ever happen again. Others acknowledged the possibility of a recurrence, taking the long term view and moved elsewhere out of danger.
3. Compassion
It is natural to want to conserve and lengthen life even at considerable cost. As pointed out in the previous Chapter, it is better to put the emphasis on education to prevent the existence of poverty or ignorance. At one time Bill Gates with a sincere heart was donating a good share of his fortune to the relief of suffering in Africa. As pointed out in the previous chapter, it would be better in the long run for such money to go to preventing the disease being donated to. Compassion is short term, but reality must be dealt with to prevent blockage. Seems harsh but it is really more realistic.
An interesting example: I provided support by small monthly payments to a family in a developing country through one of the several agencies that provided that service. A friend of mine had occasion to visit the country concerned and the actual family receiving the benefits. It turned out that the money being provided set the family apart from their peers and although all were in deep poverty it upset the social balance and was resented. The glasses that were provided by the agency from my contributions were not worn by the child needing them as it made him stand out unfavourably from his