Earth Equity News

If the System is Broken, People are More Open to Change. By Stephen Leahy, IPS, April 3, 2008. "The looming U.S. recession may spur a stronger desire for action, Anthony Leiserowitz [director of the Yale Project on Climate Change] believes. When the general perception is that all is well, people are much more resistant to change. 'If the system is perceived to be broken, then people are more open to change things to make things better,' he said. This makes it a good time to integrate the three principles of climate-safe living: first, reduce fossil fuel consumption everywhere; second, eliminate all non-essential activities and products that involve burning fossil fuel; and third, demand that business and government provide transport, activities and products that minimize fossil fuel use." This story is part three of a four-part examination of the psychological and behavioral changes needed to dial down the temperature on our global greenhouse. Parts one and two appeared on Apr. 1 and 2, 2008. Part I: "The Future Is Now: The climate catastrophe has already begun to reshape human civilization." Part II: "The Fault Lies Not in Our Cars but in Ourselves."