Where is our Paul Revere?

When I read Michael Maniates article I immediately fell in love with what he said. We need drastic steps to create any type of change. He backed up his argument with examples from the past, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin Roosevelt and Paul Revere. We need a strong leader or individual who feels passionately about saving the environment that they are willing to sacrifice any kind of normal life. This takes a unique personality and one which we have yet to see on the environmental scene. This type of article always makes me feel ready to go out and save the world. Yet, I think it is important to acknowledge that these small steps that are suggested by environmental authors and the EPA are a healthy start. If nothing less we are slowing down the process of environmental degradation. So, for now these small steps are all the citizens can do until a true advocate for the environment begins to lead the masses.

A leader will not spring up over night, but slowly environmentally conscious people will begin to get fed up with these passive leaders. When there is the most discontent among these people with the way our leaders are handling the environment this is when we will look to someone completely separate of the government to tell us what to do. Maniates brings up a great point that Americans are the best at change and adapting to change. This is what makes our government the hegemony, yet the people in power are not allowing us to make the necessary changes to our daily lives.

One quote that was truly striking was, “Never has so little been asked of so many at such a critical moment.” This was in reference to the Al Gore Live Earth concert. I remember watching this concert and thinking something similar. He had brought together so many celebrities and musical groups that it seemed a little trite just to ask the world to recycle. With so much power in Gore’s hands at that moment he didn’t use it properly. Of course, it was great in that it brought awareness to the issue. Yet, it would have been more effective to bring awareness and also change.

Maniates’s argument was bold and refreshing because many authors try to smooth over the environmental issues that this generation is confronted with. He did nothing of the sort and instead he explained that we are not doing enough and there the time for easy solutions is behind us. This article’s argument was valid. I believe we are in need of changes that will not occur without a leader willing to make those changes happen. He was not being an alarmist; rather he was being an environmental realist. Maniates’s argument for more change and quickly is what every environmentalist wants, but no one has stepped up to fulfill the role of leader. Therefore, this is where environmentalists, like Maniates, begin to feel angered and disillusioned by the government.