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n2doc

(47,953 posts)
Fri May 9, 2014, 09:03 AM May 2014

Why we couldn't care less about the natural world

By George Monbiot

That didn't take long. The public interest in the state of the natural world stimulated by the winter floods receded almost as quickly as the waters did.

A YouGov poll showed that the number of respondents placing the environment among their top three issues of concern rose from 6% in mid-January to 23% in mid-February. By early April – though the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had just published two massive and horrifying reports – the proportion had fallen back to 11%.

CarbonBrief has plotted the results on this graph:

Sustaining interest in this great but slow-burning crisis is a challenge no one seems to have mastered. Only when the crisis causes or exacerbates an acute disaster – such as the floods – is there a flicker of anxiety, but that quickly dies away.

Why is it so difficult to persuade people to care about our wonderful planet, the world that gave rise to us and upon which we wholly depend?

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2014/may/09/why-we-couldnt-care-less-about-the-natural-world

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why we couldn't care less about the natural world (Original Post) n2doc May 2014 OP
Many are lost in the digital world. JEB May 2014 #1
That's what 2naSalit May 2014 #2
I almost hit a guy in a parking garage the other day - I was aware, he was not . . . hatrack May 2014 #3
On the other hand, the NFL and Dancing with The Stars remain very popular. Scuba May 2014 #4
When the Democrats send me one of those surveys, I tell them I won't fill them out until they NCarolinawoman May 2014 #5
Oh please, ronnie624 May 2014 #6
Yes, good point!!! chervilant May 2014 #8
The Animal Nations also wonder about the stupidity of humans. L0oniX May 2014 #7

2naSalit

(103,806 posts)
2. That's what
Fri May 9, 2014, 09:30 AM
May 2014

I have been saying for several years... but I don't mater and what I have to say is way less important than the daily fads.

K&R for exposure.

hatrack

(65,138 posts)
3. I almost hit a guy in a parking garage the other day - I was aware, he was not . . .
Fri May 9, 2014, 09:42 AM
May 2014

He just stepped right out in front of me, gazing slack-jawed at The Magic Shiny Thing.

So, yeah, if people can't even tear themselves away to pay attention to immediate threats to life and limb, why would they bother about ten or twenty years down the road?

NCarolinawoman

(2,825 posts)
5. When the Democrats send me one of those surveys, I tell them I won't fill them out until they
Fri May 9, 2014, 09:55 AM
May 2014

put the ENVIRONMENT as an issue I care about. It's often not even listed!

ronnie624

(5,764 posts)
6. Oh please,
Fri May 9, 2014, 10:24 AM
May 2014

you just don't understand the 'realities' of American politics. You need to jump on the partisan bandwagon and start playing for the team. That's the key to the salvation of our species.

chervilant

(8,267 posts)
8. Yes, good point!!!
Sat May 10, 2014, 08:33 AM
May 2014

And, if you're not a sycophant, what are you even doing on this forum?!?

(Sarcasm, indeed...)

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