StatementOfConcern


Statement of Concern

This statement is now a separate web page. The wiki facilitates discussion. ~WH 6/13/2011


 

Your statement of concern brought up valid arguments and insight into the problem of global ecological crisis. While your definition in the discussion of a crisis is on point, through readings on crisis that influence the agenda for past assignments, I found that the only type of crisis that receives full on attention, are ones that occur unexpectedly and impact many severely such as a natural disaster or terroristic attack, and this is a problem. While I can see global warming and climate change and its impacts leading to the most ultimate severe crisis impacting the world-the destruction of mankind- because its symptoms and possibilities are not felt by mankind today, at least personally to each individual, its seriousness is not believed by most. For this reason, while it may make it onto the agenda, it is not prioritized in a way where policies can be formed. I agree that world sustainability is the mindset in which mankind needs to make an adjustment in survival habits. Alternative resources have been researched and now need to be formulated into the takeover as the main source of use rather than in processes where non-renewable resources continue to be depleted. Geothermal energy, solar power, and wind energy need to be taken advantage of and implemented. Mankind needs to be educated on sustainable living techniques and appropriate technology. Encouragement of local and small consumption in agriculture needs to be promoted. All of these ideas, however, are more easily said than done. These ideas need to be believed, accepted, and promoted by policy and decision makers, and adapted by large corporations who will have the most success in promoting the dilemma. It easy to say all these things need to change, rather then on providing a plan on how these things can be implemented and happen. Lester Brown provides somewhat of this resource, the plan of sustainability, in his book Plan B 4.0 and how to transition to a new energy economy. While it may be complicated in this transition because of lack of time and budgeting (2 scarce resources) the only real thing that I believe that has been missing was already well stated by Donella Meadows, the human will to achieve it. 


Thanks, Daniela. You have properly interpreted my concerns and Brown's response within the language of the Public Policy Cycle, no small thing for our course. Brown and this statement attempts to shape an agenda. Brown part one does that but notice as you read Brown that he documents concerns no longer as forecast but as matters of record, and his vast array of references documents this record. Thanks for editing the page. ~WH

 


I noticed that this was a question you also asked in your World Sustainability class that I took last summer.  I re-read my answer and not only does that still seem to be the case, "progress at any cost", but it also enhances what Daniela said above in that "the only type of crisis that receives full on attention, are ones that occur unexpectedly and impact many severely such as a natural disaster or terroristic attack".  A year ago all anyone was talking about was the BP oil spill.  This was a hot item that engulfed the entire country in a huge debate over whether or not offshore drilling should be allowed.  Naturally, this was a big discussion point for political figures trying to gain points with the public.  A little over a year later and you hardly hear anything about it anymore.  While there may still be small circles discussing this issue, it does not have the same attention it did a year ago...out of sight, out of mind.  Does that mean we don't need to worry about off shore drilling anymore?  Does that mean we don't want tougher regulations?  Not at all.  It just goes to show the short attention span of the american people (and the American government).  So even as Daniela pointed out that a large crisis receives full attention, that attention does have a shelf life and it is not a very long one.  -Robert Zutterman

 

Thanks for remembering, Robert. I call this "policy amnesia," showing how yesterday's crisis just drops off the agenda. In April, I participated in a conference on the spill, suggesting that the disaster prompts a long-term regional planning effort within the entire Gulf region, involving several states. This, of course, will go nowhere. My larger point, consistent with the remarks from you and from Daniela, is that a flaw in policy making is that the agenda suffers from attention deficit disorder. I use the Public Policy Cycle to identify flaws in the process. By remembering, you and Daniela point out one of those flaws. Thanks. ~WH 6/16/2011