I was in the library today and when I opened up my e-mail, I found joyous news that an environmental group (representing several other groups) had succeeded in litigation to STOP arctic drilling in the Chuckchi Sea.
I was so excited I about jumped out of my chair.
This is a wee little library and I was reading aloud to my librarian friend the great news when in walks Mr. Moran to hear the end of the reading.
I was giddy.
Mr. Moran replied sarcastically that yeah it was great that gas would now go up $0.45/gallon (I'm in CA, so that would mean cheap gas at about $3.38/gal as I got gas today at $2.93/gal).
Stunned a bit, I aked, "So you're biggest concern about the planet and energy is all about you filling up your car? You don't care about climate change or moving on to sustainable and clean fuels or the future generations that are going to be living in hell because you are more important?"
Nope, he isn't. He said they could drill in his backyard if they want and added that he couldn't care less about the Gulf spill.
I flatly informed him that this was the most selfish view one could have and he should be ashamed. What I really wanted to say was that he was a stupid and selfish _fill in the blank_ and the world needed him like like an increase of 3 degrees.
There was no point in arguing with Mr. Moran. I just wanted to make it quite plain that I thought he was an ass, something I apparently succeeded in doing as I got huge smiles from the staff when he left.
But the problem isn't just Mr. Moran. It's millions of Mr. (and Ms./Mrs.) Morans.
I wonder day in and day out exactly what it WILL take for people to understand the gravity and urgency of the energy/climate change situation and whether there is something--anything--that could turn them around.
Oh, and get this...
Right before this, I went to a Senior Apartment complex to check out an apartment for my 96yo mom who is thinking about moving closer to me (well, at least today she is...). The leasing manager had the air conditioning on and the window open. When I got up to leave, I asked her WHY she had the window (and actually the front door) open with the air conditioning on. She said she needed fresh air. She looked about 35. I nicely suggested to her that she needed to rethink this policy given the future and climate change and that this kind of wasteful energy behavior is exactly what helps to accelerate climate change and increase HER personal carbon footprint. As I left, I shut the door behind me, and heard her shut the window. I walked back in and thanked her and said (as only I can do with that motherly index finger pointed at her and a smile on my face), "Now, keep it closed or turn off the air conditioning, okay?"
She nodded (and actually looked a little ashamed).
More and more I am driven to just personally confront waste and personally search for better ways to do everything I do but it's just not enough.
What do you do in these situations?