Naomi Klein reasons in her interview that of all the times for action against climate change, the time is now. Now, she argues, is perfect because we are not quite yet descended into the doom that climate change brings, but the problem has not affected us (too badly). Klein argues that we can also solve a large number of our other problems, notably the job crisis, the inequality gap, and the world's ailing infrastructure. |
However, she highlights that the only way through which this would be possible is if the world took a confrontational step towards eco-friendliness, rather than simply taking "baby steps" like we currently are doing. In taking such an aggressive stance, Klein claims that people will be more able to take on society's issues that have been exacerbated as a result of neglect to the environment. Such problems include corrupted politics, deepened inequality, and overexploitation (and the health problems that come along with it). Our current unsustainability is derived from our consumerism, but leads to many externalized costs on citizens of the third-world. Although we may not have as many toxins in our environment, we also bear the burden of such unsustainable practices, says Klein, citing a statistic about how our emissions have gone up 61 percent since 1990. Now that we're so deep into unsustainable production, Klein concedes, we cannot see growth in every aspect of our economies. But that's collateral damage for fixing our environment.
Klein also goes as far as to point out that we ought not focus on swaying the far-right, but rather on the portion of the population that is unsure about what to do. She elaborates her arguments that I assume are there to further convince the middle voters, throwing in a bit of pathos here and there with her logic. Phrases about leaving others vulnerable to the ocean (one could satirize and refer to the white man's burden ^___^) and our interconnection as groups of civilizations all bring very valid points, however: we must help not only ourselves, but others as well to ensure that 1) they don't die, and 2) we increase our economic power through helping them.
The arguments posited by Klein are fairly thorough (although supported by just enough evidence to make them believable) in explaining how addressing climate change is in favor of the large majority of the world. To create a sustainable world for our posterity, establishing a plan not dissimilar to Klein's seems to be a possible course of action. Figuring out a way to properly address the collective goods problem, forcing a shift in policy, and reducing consumption are all ways through which we can make a change for the better. Klein's tactic of identifying the pervasiveness of climate change throughout society's problems can hopefully instill a spark for the flame of the climate change movement, beginning with seemingly unrelated problems to pressure our politicians into working for the people. Through such manipulation of policy, the world can slowly evolve towards something more sustainable, something more habitable, something more cooperative.
Klein also goes as far as to point out that we ought not focus on swaying the far-right, but rather on the portion of the population that is unsure about what to do. She elaborates her arguments that I assume are there to further convince the middle voters, throwing in a bit of pathos here and there with her logic. Phrases about leaving others vulnerable to the ocean (one could satirize and refer to the white man's burden ^___^) and our interconnection as groups of civilizations all bring very valid points, however: we must help not only ourselves, but others as well to ensure that 1) they don't die, and 2) we increase our economic power through helping them.
The arguments posited by Klein are fairly thorough (although supported by just enough evidence to make them believable) in explaining how addressing climate change is in favor of the large majority of the world. To create a sustainable world for our posterity, establishing a plan not dissimilar to Klein's seems to be a possible course of action. Figuring out a way to properly address the collective goods problem, forcing a shift in policy, and reducing consumption are all ways through which we can make a change for the better. Klein's tactic of identifying the pervasiveness of climate change throughout society's problems can hopefully instill a spark for the flame of the climate change movement, beginning with seemingly unrelated problems to pressure our politicians into working for the people. Through such manipulation of policy, the world can slowly evolve towards something more sustainable, something more habitable, something more cooperative.