d is for day

There is one thing that pushes my buttons even more than drunk college students, and that is our generally apathetic response to the climate crisis. (And by 'our' I'm talking both about government(s), and all us lucky residents of this planet earth.)

I've done pretty much everything on the little checklist some office or other sent me awhile ago; I use compact fluorescent light bulbs and I bought a more fuel-efficient car. I recycle. I've written to politicians. The only thing I avoided doing was installing energy-efficient windows in my apartment; I wasn't sure my landlord would be very happy with that. Yeah, I've mushed my life around a bit, made a few changes, but I admit I don't think about the impending crisis every day, I haven't made huge strides to ensure that it doesn't happen; I'm not on a crusade.

Maybe I should be. I think we all should be.

Al Gore told us that we still have time to avert disaster. I hope he was right. I hope he's still right. I worry, though. We don't have Gandhi anymore, to fast in protest and get us all motivated; in fact I don't see anyone fasting. On the contrary, we're all getting fatter.

[Will obesity or global warming finally put an end to our society? -New Episode airs October 22nd!]

Damn those cliffhanger season finales!

When I was in Plymouth, MA last (last) weekend (and yes, I used gas to get there), my mom and I noticed that most of the beach-front property was for sale. I commented on it; it seemed odd. She told me about someone she knows who recently sold their beachfront property as well. But not because they wanted to relocate; no, they sold it so that they don't lose money on the property, you know, when the sea level rises the projected 12 feet or so and covers it.

There was something about that whole scenario that made me want to scream and bite. The bland assumption that the rising sea level is a foregone conclusion; the money-grubbing; the I'm-looking-out-for-me-and-the-rest-of-you-can-burn-in-hell attitude. Because it's exactly that mentality that's gotten us into this mess, and perpetuating it is not going to get us out. How can people not see that?! As things are going right now, we're ALL scheduled to burn in hell.

It all reminds me of Eddie Izzard's portrayal of kids eating chocolate at Easter while their parents try to instill in them a sense of the meaning behind the observance: The parents say "Remember, kids, Jesus died for your sins." And the kids [concentrating on the chocolate] say "Yeah, I know, it's great!" The parent, shocked, says, "No, no, it's bad!" And the kid (still eating) says "Yeah, it's bad, it's terrible. Whatever you want. Just keep giving me these eggs!"

Global warming? Yeah, it's terrible. Now pass me the lasagna.

And yeah, it's human nature. Sure. But it just ain't gonna cut it this time around.

So, are we going to make real sacrifices? HelloooooooooooooooOOOOOooooo?! Helloooooo out there! Are we ready to take a stand for ourselves and our planet? Is our government going to get off its ass and help us out? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!

As that famous guy once said, "We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."