Clearly, as pointed out in previous posts, the most pressing environmental issue is climate change. And the main driver of this environmental phenomenon is the overwhelming consumption of resources, goods, and services.

I think it is extremely difficult for the average American to "go green" because our culture is so strongly based on consumption, a want for more things, a desire to display wealth. For example, I think that Americans, because we have such a large country (in terms of size) most people think that there is LOTS of space out there, lots of places to go, lots of land to be bought. I was brought up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where the I watched countless acres of forests chopped down for several neighborhoods of McMansion-style homes to be put up. These homes, of course, are huge, and have lots of space between them. If you live in one of those homes, there is absolutely no way that you can get anywhere without a car. If the American Dream is to make enough money to buy a little land for the family, then the American Dream is in irreparably tied to the automobile.

Many of these kinds of people, educated, upper-middle class suburbanites are completely aware of global warming and its causes and effects. From what I've noticed, many of these kinds of people will buy compact fluorescent bulbs, recycle, reuse grocery bags, and maybe even buy a Prius if they have the chance. That, of course, is a first step. After that, the ignorance discussed in the Fish article sets in. By doing a little, many people don't realize that their larger lifestyle choices effect the environment. They still buy A LOT. They still DRIVE EVERYWHERE. They still use TONS of fossil fuels. They maybe realize its a problem, but they don't want to concern themselves with it, or get upset over it, so they either ignore it entirely or do just a few things.

Part of the reason why this happens is just because we've been raised, for several generations now, to think that having more things, and bigger things, is better. For many people, taking public transportation or buying organic is not an available option: but even moreso, many people are unwilling to move to places where it is an option. We're all pretty set in our ways, we like our cozy suburbs. Now, however, I think people are becoming more and more conscious of global warming, and it's trendy to "go green." Hopefully soon, that may translate into living in cleaner, greener places (no more cut-off housing developments, please). But for now, people are doing the little things, if anything at all.

Also, there is inefficent leadership at the top of the totom pole, as Katherine mentioned in her post. If there was serious legislation regarding the environment, I think people would pay more attention. People feel that the problem is too big for them, and they don't know where to start in fixing the problem. If the government, or other higher authorities, began by making the first steps, people would 1. realize the gravity of the problem; 2. realize that something is being done and; 3. realize that they could do something too.

Therefore, overcoming ignorance is partially personal (where should I live, what should I drive, etc.), partially social (let me buy a Whole Foods bag because all the neighbors have them), and partially institutional (the government is finally doing something! maybe this problem isn't too big after all!). Hopefully, these three factors will come together sooner rather later, and real change can start being made.