what can you do?

I checked out a few sites dealing with peak oil, climate change, and the like and read their recommendations and instructions. I have to admit that most of it is quite unrealistic, silly, and downright irresponsible. Lots of people appear to have grabbed on to climate change as the latest fashion to further their apocalyptic visions or recommend their organic, zen-inspired life-style. I did not consult with the Rambo-style survivalists as I think they are so far off the right track that it is a pure waste of time.

However, even in the camp of "canned veggies" reason appears to be failing and emotions have taken over. Things are driven to an extreme with a fair amount of bogus beliefs thrown in. Many want to ditch modern society and turn back the clock. They are advocating and teaching a return to the land that rejects most if not all advances humanity made in the last 200 years. They see all these accomplishments as a sign of failure. 

I want to make clear that my view is entirely different. In my view we are not failing, we are too successful. We are too good at what we are doing. What got us into trouble is the fact that we are so good at exploiting our habitat that we are outgrowing it at a breakneck speed. 

That has happened many times before on a local scale. It is always followed by an inevitable correction which I described as a type of "middle ages," i.e. a period of prolonged (centuries) strongly reduced standard of living. This cyclical nature of human history is ignored in most texts. There we read a linear history of ever improving conditions, a triumph of man without any setbacks whatsoever.

If we distort history this way, we are bound to repeat it. The problem is that this time around excesses are on a planetary scale. That brings with it immense risks and for the first time I think the survival of the species is at stake. We may be at a point where we could destroy our habitat beyond repair. Those who fail to see it are deluding themselves just as badly as those who preach an abandonment of modern life.

Lest my recent posts may have given you the wrong impression, let me assure you that I do not think there is reason to believe we face an immediate threat. I strongly believe we can keep going like this for quite a while longer. What I fear however, is that soon (say in 40-50 years) we will be crossing an invisible threshold. A point of no return. If we do all bets are off.

As for now, we are probably in a deep and possibly long lasting (5-10 yr) depression but I suspect the worst case scenario is a "Japan-1990's" replay with at best, some sluggish growth here and there. My view on this matter is entirely mainstream although it lines up with the more pessimistic of forecasters. I do not think this depression will continue into major disaster. As I said yesterday I think a strong recovery is likely and there will likely be new periods of irrational exuberance. Although I do not like it personally, I do believe a deep recession would be beneficial in the long run by postponing major trouble and giving us some extra time. Time is of the essence now.

And that brings me to what you can do to help. It is quite simple really. No need to go to extremes. As a matter of fact, what you need to do is to remove the extremes you are engaged in now. That eight cylinder car, that 4,000 sq ft home, that two hour commute, you name it. The best thing anyone can do is to adopt a sensible life-style. Hardly anyone in America today lives a sensible life-style. An economy that depends for 70% or more on consumer spending is not sensible or sustainable.

A Suburban is not sensible. Not even when it sports a sticker that reads, Keep Tahoe Blue.

Don't eat too much, insert plenty of exercise, and stop buying things you don't need. Don't drive unless you have to and don't come up with excuses that justify all the driving you do. If you spend more than one hour a day in your car, you are driving too much. If you drive every day of the week you are driving too much.

If you feel the need to light up your neighborhood, or have three TV's running plus the radio, think again. If you need more than 50 gallons of water per person per day, think again. If you need power tools to do things around the house, think again. If you are too lazy to push your lawn mower, think again. While you are at it, think about that lawn. Better remove it.

Before you buy fruit in winter, think again. Don't buy bottled water or coffee to go. Don't throw out perfectly fine items and forget about fashion altogether. Don't work long hours just so you can buy more useless stuff that ends up in the garbage. Instead of quality time, spend some real time with your family and friends. Don't travel to see exotic places. Ride your bike instead.

Enjoy the simple things in life. Isn't it ironic that most people these days only start appreciating the simple things in life once they get hit by a deadly disease? Doesn't that tell you something? When push comes to shove, we all know what really matters. Why is it so hard then to be sensible while being healthy? Wake up America !