Trinity of Despair

I agree with Professor Maniates' point that the environmental movement is less effective than it needs to be, and I agree with the points the triangle attributes to environmental shortcomings.

For example, the assumption that all humans are selfish prevents the creation of policies that would place responsibility on the public to achieve environmental goals. However, such a responsibility could motivate people to become more involved in issues if they felt their role mattered.

In the future, it will also be vital that we place less pressure on people to do "the easy stuff," and reemphasize the importance of change through political action. If more people conveyed their concerns regarding the environment to their politicians, we would begin to see politicians stepping up to the plate to combat key environmental issues.

The third idea in the triangle has to do with the assumption that it will take the coordination of every human/every nation to make a significant difference in the preservation of our environment. The US for example has refused to seriously involve itself in international agreements without guaranteed involvement from India and China. This has perpetuated a cycle of negotiations that include uninvolved, partially committed countries who will not sign any agreements unless other high-emission countries do so first.

Professor Maniates' presentation of these issues provided me with greater details surrounding these distressing hindrances to environmental development, and yet the insight provided me with some inspiration in terms of reevaluating assumptions that have thus far held back progress.