Save the Humans

[justinsb]

The environmental movement has made, almost from it’s beginnings, a huge mistake. They have repeatedly shown cute animals or beautiful scenery as the reason people should support environmental causes. This has earned them some members, it is natural to some to want to protect these animals and beautiful locations. But, what we are really talking about if you add it all up is something that should be much more motivating than saving dolphins, owls, or national parks. What we are talking about is saving the humans.

We are not capable of saving the planet. The planet is, and will be, fine and life will go on. Even if we pollute the Earth to the point where we can no longer live here, even if it takes the Earth 100,000 years to recover, the Earth will be fine. 100,000 years is, after all, only a long weekend in the history of the Earth and there are species that will survive even extreme temperatures, acid rain etc. If we all died today, 1 million years from now the planet would be lush with life and a new species would dominate.

So, if it wants to be effective, if it wants to appeal even to the selfish, and disinterested the environmental movement needs to stop talking about saving the planet, the dolphins, spotted owls and rain forests and start putting children and families on it’s endangered species adds. Stop telling people what is happening in the Amazon and tell them about the toxic chemicals being dumped in their own drinking water.

I don’t think I need to provide examples to illustrate that: People even if they are very busy, even if they are uninformed, even if they don’t care about cuddly animals will go to great lengths and great expense to save their own lives.

[grrl62]

1. sadly, i agree

most people simply are more interested in saving their own asses. when you frame something in terms of their own self-interest and self-preservation then they are more likely to take notice.

interestingly enough, by "saving the people" we will be more likely to accomplish the goal of "saving the land and animals" b/c in order to save the peeps one must save the other stuff.

ah.. framing.

:)