The Global Equity Issue and Stanley Fish

1. What, to your mind, is the most pressing challenge facing the global environment? Why?

The most pressing challenge facing the global environment is the structure of the global economy. The West largely spawned this system with no regards to the ramifications such a globalized economy would have on the world. This is not so much their fault. They did not know that the population explosion would have such wide-reaching consequences. They did not expect that their colonies would one day want equal status within this global regime. They could not predict global warming or climate change. That being said, they are not blameless. The intentions they had in setting up the globalized economy weren't malicious towards the earth. But the ramifications this system had were, and as such, they must take responsibility for it. The West has largely recognized that its resource consumption is unsustainable, and efforts are already underway in much of the West to reduce carbon and ecological footprints. But, the new members in the global economy do not want to restrain their pollution. Their argument of equitable opportunity for economic development, through whatever means they choose, is a good one. The greatest issue we face is bringing these developing nations into the fold on addressing global climate change. If we do not do so, our own efforts at reduction will be negligible compared to their consumption.

2. Have a look at this piece that Stanley Fish wrote over the summer. Does it ring true for anyone? What does it mean to live in an "environmentally friendly" way in the modern-day US?

Stanley Fish's article reflects a big issue regarding environmental attitudes in the US. Much of his generation is still skeptical that global climate change is anthropogenic. They do not want to make drastic changes in their consumption. His complaining attempts to disestablish his responsibility for the way he consumes. Many of all generations in America do this. Even when we recognize that our consumption is an issue, we frequently convince ourselves that someone else will do something about it.

To live in an "environmentally friendly" way in the US today, often means simple adjustment of which brands to consume, instead of the more important task of consuming less. People want to be eco-friendly, but they frequently don't change levels of consumption, as they should.