Last night we attended a presentation in Boulder CO that highlight that city's plan's to reduce greenhouse gases. The event was hosted by Boulder Valley Relocalization and featured Yael Gichon and Kevin Afflerbaugh of the City of Boulder's Environmental Affairs department.
Their talk focused on:
- Climate Smart--a Boulder County campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Understanding our greenhouse gas emission sources and inventory
- Specific steps residents and businesses can take to reduce emissions
- Available residential programs, including: energy audits, carbon calculator, free weatherization and more
- Programs designed specifically for businesses including free energy audits and technical services
The entire lecture was very well presented and shows that Boulder, CO is committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
During the Q&A following the presentation a member of the audience brought up a point that really highlighted a contradictory point that all government agencies face when they try to teach environmental responsibility to the public.
The question was asked 'Why aren't you teaching people to get out of the habit of over-consuming'
The question was addressed as tactfully as possible by the presenters but left everyone realizing that
- One of the largest contributors of Greenhouse Gas Emissions is the manufacturing/retail and commercial sector.
- If (when) the public stops buying (consuming) products, it will cut directly into the tax base that keeps our governments alive
My question is how do we as a nation get serious about climate change when most people are still trying to keep up with the Joneses.
Is it the 'Want our cake and eat it too' on the grandest scale humanity has ever had to face?