Quote Originally Posted by kib View Post
Orienting our compasses in the same direction is a great start. Which is why I was so blown away at this group of people who don't believe everything is connected. how can you choose an action based on the concept of future sustainability
Yeah, many people don't see the connection--they really don't. That "island unto myself" attitude manifests itself in racism, competition, and even in my DHs MADDENING habit of throwing his cigar wrappers out of the car window. (don't get me started). Never mind why we should care that our plastic is literally strangling wildlife. Or that the decline in bees is going to wind up affecting our food choices and food prices.

In terms of your cattle prod comment, I do think that there are catalysts along the way. While ideas are in the slow-cooker, some people are the sourdough starter: people like Rachel Carson, for instance. Al Gore/Bill McKibben might be considered catalysts for climate change, but maybe it will take catalysts in the form of extreme climate like the rain in Texas that will get us to the tipping point.

Another thought your comment brought to mind: I read once that behavior precedes action: not the other way around. That was a huge aha for me! I always thought it would be the other way around--you develop an attitude, and you change your behavior to fit your attitude. Actually, if you change your behavior, your attitude will change. I read about this in the context of seat belt laws. No one cared about the safety implications of seat belts much: until they were "encouraged" to wear them or else get a ticket. If all the seat belt ticketing laws went away tomorrow, I would still wear my seat belt, because my awareness and attitude has been raised.

That's where some legal intervention can help shape things. Not "nanny G" stuff: just a little shape shifting in the form of appropriate legislation.