Green Options

The US has in the past shown great moral strength, courage and sacrifice to respond to global crises but no so with the imminent threat of global climate change.

Yet, in order to accelerate global efforts to protect the environment, the US must not only be held to a higher environmental standard than the rest of the world, it must also show greater commitment to a coordinated worldly response.

The statistics speak for themselves - the US produces a total of 5,410 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, almost a quarter of the global emissions, according to researchers. This makes the US the world’s leading polluter, making it imperative to hold the country to a higher environmental standard.

For many people, the world exists as a separate, objective whole to be exploited or polluted without any expense at the personal level. If anything, people wall themselves from the consequences of their actions.

Take for example, people dump trash everywhere without a trifle to the conscience. Or big corporate engage in activities aimed at boosting bottom lines without concern of damage inflicted to the earth.

The idea that the earth is an objectively existing place, separate from ourselves lies at the very heart of the environmental challenges that we face.