Several years ago I read Collapse by Jared Diamond. It traces the history and reasons why various civilizations collapse. One that he describes was the civilization that was on Easter Island. It's collapse was in large part due to cutting down every single tree on the island which had numerous consequences. Diamond poses the question: While someone was cutting down the final tree on the island, what was he thinking? Was he thinking that one less tree wouldn't make that much difference? Was he just glad to get it before someone else did? Did he think that more trees would just somehow grow?
Today, as we are continuing to pump more and more carbon into the atmosphere, what are we thinking? We know the consequences but we continue anyway. Maybe one more ton won't make a difference or if we don't burn the coal, China will. Maybe the atmosphere will somehow clean itself?
What are we thinking??
1 comment:
Preach it!
And what is so maddening is that neither presidential candidate is talking about the issue.
Post a Comment