Comments on: Annie Leonard: Don’t Just “Be the Change.” Make Change!

By: janieeden

janieeden — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:08:20 +0000

As much as I admire what Leonard is trying to do, I have a big problem with the sentiment that personal change is not enough to make systemic change. That’s precisely where systemic change comes from- people, not rules. While the idea of regulating is a good one, we’ve seen exactly where this goes wrong. The laws we already have in place don’t keep people from killing, stealing, raping, selling drugs (etc, etc, etc)… And who gets to make up the rules? How long does that take? And since when is regulation impervious to corruption?
Personal change falls short in part because of the gross number of people living without the luxury of thinking beyond their immediate needs. It would be great to see more effort and focus devoted to empowerment at this level instead of talking in circles about regulations with bodies who are already recognized as corrupt.
It’s not just about living ‘green’. Finding ways that (yes, at an individual level) more of us can be more dependent on ourselves, and less dependent on this system altogether will be more effective than any regulation.

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By: BethTerry

BethTerry — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:00:48 +0000

@Elisa L Hi Elisa. There are lots of organizations. Where do you live? I listed several in my book that are dealing with plastic pollution. There is the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Surfrider, Clean Water Action, Environmental Working Group, and many others. But where you live makes a difference.

By: Elisa L

Elisa L — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:39:10 +0000

I really like the idea of activism and getting companies and the government to do the right thing. I would like to write letters and join a larger movement but with a family I find it hard to make time. I wish there was an organization I could join that would give me more directed advice on what needs to be done. If anyone knows of some place like this, please let me know. I give money to environmental advocacy groups and sign online petitions but am not sure how to go further without it becoming overwhelming.

By: Stay at home mom

Stay at home mom — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:04:27 +0000

@Clif It’s funny that you imply that environmentalism is not practiced by the poor (or at least is not a priority). I was raised by parents who survived the Great Depression, and their frugal lifestyle (use it up, wear it out, make it last or do without) goes hand in hand with what environmentalism means to me. We just have to psychologically go back in time to when people didn’t feel entitled to the latest iPhone or eat out at fast food restaurants, but cooked simple meals at home. Save things that might be able to be reused creatively rather than throwing them out. And retrain ourselves to donate or freecycle items that we have no use for but someone else might, and shop second hand stores instead of buying new). In other words, act like we don’t have any money.

By: EcoCatLady

EcoCatLady — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 06:38:45 +0000

Well, I have to say that I have very mixed feelings about the personal action thing – not that I don’t practice it or anything, it’s just that the futility of it all becomes very apparent once you do start trying. I mean, there is simply no way (short of ceasing to exist) to live without having an environmental impact – and I’m always stuck feeling like I’m trying to choose the lesser of about a zillion evils.

Current conundrum - stick with the wheat kitty litter that comes in a paper bag, or switch to the walnut shell variety that comes in plastic. Probably an easy choice for you since your focus is plastic, but if you look at the bigger environmental picture it becomes much fuzzier. Walnut shells are a waste product while the wheat must be grown and harvested specifically for the litter. So the wheat carries a much bigger footprint in terms of fertilizers, pesticides, and environmental cost of production. AAARRRGGG!!! And this is only one of about a million similar choices. It just makes me want to pull my hair out.

And of course, the vast majority of people never even think about any of it – and really, how can we expect them to? It’s just crazy that we live in a world where one must put oneself at a financial disadvantage in order to live in a sustainable way. As long as the system is set up that way we’re sunk.

So ultimately I think that personal choices are good in that they tend to raise awareness, but awareness only goes so far when the economic realities set in. The part that I can’t figure out is that if such a big percentage of the population really is concerned about these issues, why is our government so out of step with the people? Actually, strike that – it’s not that hard to figure out… it’s money – pure and simple.

Anyhow, when I think about this stuff too long I start to get really depressed. The forces we’re up against are so huge, and so powerful, and so entrenched. And in my heart of hearts I figure this is all a self-limiting problem anyhow, because humans are quickly altering the planet to such a degree that there’s no way it’s gonna be able to sustain us for many more generations. I mean the feedback loops are already kicking in, the arctic is melting and belching methane, and part of me just wonders what the point is…

OK… sorry to leave a bummer comment – it’s just where I inevitably end up anymore whenever I start to think about these sorts of questions. Anybody got any cures for eco-despair?

By: Lynn Johnson Hasselberger

Lynn Johnson Hasselberger — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:31:05 +0000

Wow! Fantastic!!

By: Jo

Jo — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:35:05 +0000

I very much appreciated Annie’s video AND your list of why personal change matters. indeed, the choices we have need to change. I believe that we need a miracle to pull the world back from the brink, and also that our lives have to be attractive enough to emulate.

That is, I totally believe in the collective action described by Annie (I’m in South Africa, after all, and the miracle of South Africa means that I, a white South Africa, get to stay and continue to call this my home country without fear) but there’s that famous quote: When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

I know it’s cliched, but as a 29 year old PhD student with two little boys, I’ve taken this quote to heart- I’m starting with myself and hoping there are ripples. And I’m hoping that by leaving enough margin in my life by living really simply and not getting caught up with needing much money, my husband and I will have enough time to be involved in our communities and collective action.

By: MonkeyHite

MonkeyHite — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:27:09 +0000

@Eco novice I totally agree with you… I experience the same things in school… but I try to explain to the school staff or any party why I don’t want certain x product around my family… I will even given scientific papers or data. No matter how much data or logic I use, convenience & costs outweighs anything and everything. Knowing this I have even offered, at times, to purchase the healthier alternative to get around the costs fear, however they still refuse. Of course that is very frustrating… So I believe we need numbers to change things for the masses because as an individual I have no power and that has been proven a lot of times. Mass change takes mass numbers.But I still believe we need to make personal changes. Why ask for mass change but be unwilling to make changes yourself? It’s almost as crazy as politicians saying “Well China needs to change first because they pollute more.” I don’t believe we live in a closed system world… meaning I can do anything I want because it doesn’t affect anything else. No, I believe we live in an interconnected world. My life and choices affect not only myself but anything everything around me. This is why I will strive to make personal life changing choices for myself and my family. I am not only concerned about my families health but the health of all living creatures. Ironically this unselfish view should be the motivator for the personal change. If your focus is on others you will stop yourself falling into the trap of “Convenience and Cost” that will so often prevent you from making the right choice.

By: magicfoundation

magicfoundation — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:43:50 +0000

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