Reply #45: We need a shift in consciousness as well, and a new paradigm.

[tinrobot]

Legislation would be wonderful and needed, but I fear any real legislation that imposed real limits would just be another version of prohibition. People would find all sorts of ways to secretly burn their coal and gas, so they could keep consuming and going on as they have before.

We really need to change a lot of our fundamental beliefs about who we are and how we relate to our environment. We have to break a number of addictions - to oil, to constant growth, consumerism, and the notion that the planet has limitless resources. Breaking any addiction requires work and a serious shift in consciousness.

I'm not sure how we do that... but I find that most people who experience that shift in consciousness have to fall pretty far before it happens. The alcoholic usually has to lose everything before wanting to sober up. The way things stand, I can't see anything short of collapse will change the views of society as a whole. When that happens, those that already practice a simple lifestyle will be ahead, and hopefully can help lead the way.