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Becoming an Environmentalist or how I learned to stop worrying and love the energy crisis
60 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1976
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February 12, 2014
An interesting personal history written with humor and intelligence.
Did Barbara do all of the housework and yard work for two lawyers? I do not see evidence of Dan's participation. Of course each couple has every right to chose their preferred work split - however traditional. (Dan does apparently (p. 20) normally put out the garbage cans, and p. 25 - 26) garden.)
There is much more here about "life style choices," that about "the environment." I have to wonder if there is a position on single parenthood, since much of what is described would seem to require at least one stay-at-home parent.
The tenth book I have finished this year.
p. 13. There is also recent evidence of a serious threat to ozone in the atmosphere caused by aerosol propellants.
The p. 16 statement "So the only way to decrease oil consumption was to use less heat," is a 'miserable tautology.'
The p. 17 complacent statement "we are beyond practical bike range of downtown with children on board," is a good example of how we react in the absence of a price signal.
Kudos to Barbara for, "but I am also aware that the recycling process itself involves the consumption of energy and a certain amount of air and water pollution."
p. 29. Eventually, I assume, our governmental regulatory agencies will insure that the label is accurate.
p. 32. When we are guests at mealtime, we eat whatever we are served, including meat.
The environmental rational for vegetarianism is well stated on p. 35.
The Chapter 4 insight on cosmetics seems to have been slow in coming. Dan and Barbara were at Boalt Hall in the 60s?
p. 40. I have found that it takes a great deal of persistence to locate natural fabrics, but it can be done in many cases.
p. 46. . . . in a world in which the human population will exceed the maximum the Earth can support in dignity. "will" and "can" are interesting word choices. The "will" seems oblivious to the current plight of the over half of our current population that lives without access to commercial power, etc. The "can" seems to skip the question of supply vs. distribution. We are all very good at defining the problem in a way that lets us live the way we wish to.
The Chapter 6 discussion of population growth reflects the time (1976) the book was written. The ending is, again, much more about "life style choices" than "the environment." Population seems to have dropped, as politically incorrect, out of our conversation. I wonder if it is still a concern with the Clarks?
The p. 50 ". . . I realized that while those changes had seemed vast to us at first, they were in fact very subtle ones," is admirably insightful and honest.
The p. 52. I remember it, but I don't believe it" is considerably less insightful or honest. We will all find a way to feel good about our lifestyle choices despite the condition of Earth's environment and the plight of the poorer half of our population. Oh yeah - there are things we can do if we choose to.
Did Barbara do all of the housework and yard work for two lawyers? I do not see evidence of Dan's participation. Of course each couple has every right to chose their preferred work split - however traditional. (Dan does apparently (p. 20) normally put out the garbage cans, and p. 25 - 26) garden.)
There is much more here about "life style choices," that about "the environment." I have to wonder if there is a position on single parenthood, since much of what is described would seem to require at least one stay-at-home parent.
The tenth book I have finished this year.
p. 13. There is also recent evidence of a serious threat to ozone in the atmosphere caused by aerosol propellants.
The p. 16 statement "So the only way to decrease oil consumption was to use less heat," is a 'miserable tautology.'
The p. 17 complacent statement "we are beyond practical bike range of downtown with children on board," is a good example of how we react in the absence of a price signal.
Kudos to Barbara for, "but I am also aware that the recycling process itself involves the consumption of energy and a certain amount of air and water pollution."
p. 29. Eventually, I assume, our governmental regulatory agencies will insure that the label is accurate.
p. 32. When we are guests at mealtime, we eat whatever we are served, including meat.
The environmental rational for vegetarianism is well stated on p. 35.
The Chapter 4 insight on cosmetics seems to have been slow in coming. Dan and Barbara were at Boalt Hall in the 60s?
p. 40. I have found that it takes a great deal of persistence to locate natural fabrics, but it can be done in many cases.
p. 46. . . . in a world in which the human population will exceed the maximum the Earth can support in dignity. "will" and "can" are interesting word choices. The "will" seems oblivious to the current plight of the over half of our current population that lives without access to commercial power, etc. The "can" seems to skip the question of supply vs. distribution. We are all very good at defining the problem in a way that lets us live the way we wish to.
The Chapter 6 discussion of population growth reflects the time (1976) the book was written. The ending is, again, much more about "life style choices" than "the environment." Population seems to have dropped, as politically incorrect, out of our conversation. I wonder if it is still a concern with the Clarks?
The p. 50 ". . . I realized that while those changes had seemed vast to us at first, they were in fact very subtle ones," is admirably insightful and honest.
The p. 52. I remember it, but I don't believe it" is considerably less insightful or honest. We will all find a way to feel good about our lifestyle choices despite the condition of Earth's environment and the plight of the poorer half of our population. Oh yeah - there are things we can do if we choose to.
Displaying 1 of 1 review