A Need for Seriousness by Leaders

The article “Going Green: Easy Doesn’t Do It” makes a very solid argument that the challenges of environmental change require a much more substantial contribution on the part of the American public and world population. Indeed, if you take to heart what is happening, and potential scenarios which are not even the worst case scenario, we are facing substantial changes to our environment. Simply doing a few small things, relative to our overall consumption habits, will not do much. When we took the carbon footprint quiz, I was quite surprised to see some of the things in my life that contributed to my footprint, including my food intake, which oddly counted as my largest contribution. What we add to the environment is so much more than recycling, so the author is correct in his assertion that more needs to be done.
What I find is also necessary is actual displays of commitments on the part of world governments. Yes, the article says that if we together as the American people strive to fix this, then we have a moral ground for others to do so, but I can also see the public looking in the face of its leaders and not wanting to change much because they see the burden as unfairly falling on them. They may ask the government to drastically alter its own operating procedures. And while yes, if we want substantial change to come, the majority of the population must take part in it because it has the largest impact, people may simply say that they want to see the politicians become serious. There are no real displays of seriousness by leaders about the importance of the issue, and what they will do to put the country on a firm footing in the positive direction. No, this is not to say that politicians must figure everything out, but it’s difficult for the common person to take things seriously if the people telling them to change aren’t doing much seriously on their own. If the government came out and said “we are embarking upon projects to construct solar panels, wind turbines, we are setting high standards for infrastructure and commodity efficiency,” then people would be more willing to adapt their own habits. No one wants to be told to do something when the party telling them to do something isn’t helping. This also means commitments that are more serious than current plans on the table, which many see as having only a miniscule effect.
Compounding on this is the fact that other major countries do not appear to be too concerned with changing their habits either. I do not know that if we do something, they will be pressured to do something. That remains to be seen, but I feel that the pull of economics will dissuade other countries from following a rigorous path.