What Are These Mental Traps Which Lead Everyone To Denial, Indifference and Inaction in Saving Mother Earth?
Can we or can we not save the earth from plastics?
The Scenario
There is really something wrong around us. We can see piles of garbage along the streets, the vast solid pollutants in seas, oceans, rivers, lakes and streams, the black smokes from vehicles and factories, destruction of forests, water shortage, loss of biodiversity and even cigarette smokes.
One alarming environmental issue that the entire world is into nowadays is climate change. We are all aware that people all over the world are experiencing unpredictable weather conditions these past few years. Queries on climate and weather are now the most common issues especially for those who are not in the scientific world; let’s say those people in the grass roots. Their concepts then on the two issues lie on their simple, everyday and previous experiences, affected by the rising of the tides and even the presence of the moon and the strength of the winds all over the skies. Climate change can be natural and it always happens. But natural climate change occurs over millions of years giving people enough time to adapt. Thus natural climate change is usually not too bad. But climate change can also be man - made. Global warming can be caused by an increase in the amount of heat being received from the sun. But the drastic and fast global warming that is occurring now is seen as a result of an increased concentration of green house gases like carbon dioxide. Most researchers, climatologists and scientists all over the world agree that one effective solution to the problem is to reduce the amount of green house gases produced. This can be done by switching over to clean energy sources, ones that do not produce green house gases.
Of course, each one of us is driven by a strong desire to save the earth.. Countries all over the world with researchers, climatologist and scientists are into working on effective measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change. All sectors of the society are also into advocacy to do their share. But still we can feel the hesitatations of some individuals or groups because of some mental traps which are leading them to denial, indifference and inaction.
Now what are these mental traps all about?
1. Gloom-and-doom pessimism which is on the idea that “Everything is hopeless.”
2. Blind technological optimism is all about the idea that “Science and techno fixes will save us”
3. Fatalism believes that “We have no control over our actions and the future.”
4. Extrapolation to infinity is on the idea that “If I cannot change the entire world quickly, I will try to change any of it.”
5. Paralysis by analysis believes that “Searching for the perfect worldview, philosophy, solutions and scientific information before anything.” .
6. Faith in simple, easy answers.
What are these mental traps all about?
Gloom and Doom Pessimism: An example of it is on the notion that the U.S. is running out of arable land. Vice President Al Gore said, "We are losing fifty acres of farmland every hour."
Blind technological optimism is about the way in which technology has impacted our world—from the environment, to our medical achievements, to human relationships
Fatalistic view by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed on sea level rise in Bangladesh: "There is not much Bangladeshi people can do if the sea level rises as a result of global warming"
Wastewater treatment effluent concentrations were determined to exhibit a correlation with more easily-obtainable geo-referenced data, such as population density and city GDP without having to test every city’s wastewater effluents.
Paralysis by Analysis: How much the climate is changing is not a reason to delay preparing for the harmful impacts of climate change says Professor Jim Hall of the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford
Faith in simple easy answers: Planting a tree can save Mother Earh
Links
- Piercing the Gloom and Doom :: Herbert I. London
Edmund Burke posited two major hypotheses about discussions of the future: that the future cannot be determined from the past, and that the present is pregnant with the future. These propositions may seem mutually exclusive, but they are not. There a - Environment and fatalism
A month or so ago I had an opportunity to listen to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed at a closed-door meeting in Washington, DC. He spoke about his work at Brac and how his organisation sought to change the fate of the poor in Bangladesh. It is hard not to be to
Comments
Tedyliza Ramos on February 27, 2018:
TEDYLIZA ROSE RAMOS
TUTORIAL-FRIDAY
Their concepts then on the two issues lie on their simple, everyday and previous experiences, affected by the rising of the tides and even the presence of the moon and the strength of the winds all over the skies. Climate change can be natural and it always happens. But natural climate change occurs over millions of years giving people enough time to adapt. Thus natural climate change is usually not too bad. But climate change can also be man - made. Global warming can be caused by an increase in the amount of heat being received from the sun.
Jay C OBrien on February 25, 2018:
Try vasectomies after fathering one or two children.
Jerielen Mangahas on February 25, 2018:
JERIELEN MANGAHAS
BSTM 4 (FRIDAY-TUTORIAL)
More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of saving mother earth. Indeed, the sense of urgency behind the drive to save the environment is stronger than ever before. After all, we only have one planet; if this one becomes totally ruined, our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will not have a home. If we all do our part to save mother earth, it is definitely possible. Therefore, people should learn as much as they can about ways that they can help save the environment; by working together, our planet can remain habitable for centuries to come.
sangabrielregina on February 16, 2018:
regina san gabriel bstm 4 ecology tutorial
Some suggest that we can move beyond blame, guilt, fear, and apathy by recognizing and avoiding the fol- lowing two common mental traps that lead to denial, indifference, and inaction. Let us save the planet earth because this is the only home we have. how? reduce the garbage by recycle them. eliminate using appliances and transportation that cause a negative impact on the planet earth. let us show the love on our planet to have everyone and the next generation a better life.
Jay C OBrien on January 01, 2018:
I suggest reducing the amount of people in the world to a, "Sustainable Population" level. Why have 6 billion or more people in the world? Why not have 1 billion or less? Teach Birth Control methods. See link.
https://hubpages.com/education/Progressive-Science...
Julius Nolasco on September 15, 2015:
Julius Bryan C. Nolasco
BSBA 1-1
We can still save the Earth by showing our responsibility, discipline and care for our environment. We should be responsible in everything we do and the act we do we should be responsible example in disposal of garbage we should dispose the garbage properly. Discipline, if all people here in the world are well disciplined I think this problem in our environment wouldn't happen. If we care for our environment like how it care for us I think we wouldn't suffered to the environmental issues like climate change air water and land pollution. We can still save the mother earth if we do our task if everyone cooperate.
Harieshilario on September 15, 2015:
HARIES HILARIO BSBA 1-3
In order for something to be saved, one must first be knowledgeable of his true intentions so he would be aware of what his own capacities are capable of. To save Mother Earth is not a easy as it seems. It is actually much easier said than done. We can't do this if we stand alone in this battle. In this matter, we need the cooperation and a sense of understanding from everyone. We can begin with the smallest unity of society which is our family, by educating them on what are the aftermaths of such disorder in our environment. Then, we can proceed outside, and ask the community for better assistance. And then hopefully, the rest will follow.
Jessica Ocampo on September 15, 2015:
Jessica Ocampo BSBA1-1. Our environment is constantly changing. There is no denying that. However, as our environment changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround it. With a massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, different types of weather patterns and much more, people need to be aware of what types of environmental problems our planet is facing.
Global warming has become an undisputed fact about our current livelihoods; our planet is warming up and we are definitely part of the problem. However, this isn’t the only environmental problem that we should be concerned about. All across the world, people are facing a wealth of new and challenging environmental problems every day. Some of them are small and only affect a few ecosystems, but others are drastically changing the landscape of what we already know.
Our planet is poised at the brink of a severe environmental crisis. Current environmental problems make us vulnerable to disasters and tragedies, now and in the future. We are in a state of planetary emergency, with environmental problems piling up high around us. Unless we address the various issues prudently and seriously we are surely doomed for disaster. Current environmental problems require urgent attention.
Agnes Mateo BSBA 1-3 on September 15, 2015:
There are many things that we could do to help the environment. We need to help the environment because we live on earth, and this is the only place we can live on right now. If we treat it like the city dump it becomes dirty and unlivable. If we treat it well, the earth stays a clean place, perfect for living, for ourselves and our children.
In order to save the environment you need to be aware of what you are doing, buying, using, and what it does to the environment
Justine De Leon on September 15, 2015:
Justine Mae De Leon
BSBA 1-3
You're hopeless, useless, burdensome. Nothing will ever go well, everyone is always better than you, you'll never be perfect. You want to be liked, but you're unlovable, and a failure at life. Sound familiar?
To the majority of people this language does. Mental traps serve as the rusty cogs that continue the mechanic cycles of pain and hopelessness. In many instances, they are so deeply ingrained in the mind, that the victim lives completely oblivious of their existence.
The most important thing to realize about these cognitive errors is that they're maladaptive ways of dealing with the world and the self. Living in the world of mental traps is like living a lie. Your perception is tainted with a melancholy negativity that brings forth absurd, unrealistic, and untruthful thoughts.
But to overcome this, constant and vigilant mindfulness and introspection must be applied. To do that however, we must become aware of what these traps are.
We can see in the above articles the different mental traps that ruin or change everyone to become denial or indifference.
1. Gloom-and-doom pessimism which is on the idea that “Everything is hopeless.”
2. Blind technological optimism is all about the idea that “Science and techno fixes will save us”
3. Fatalism believes that “We have no control over our actions and the future.”
4. Extrapolation to infinity is on the idea that “If I cannot change the entire world quickly, I will try to change any of it.”
5. Paralysis by analysis believes that “Searching for the perfect worldview, philosophy, solutions and scientific information before anything.” .
6. Faith in simple, easy answers.
There has many changes happening today. But what worst is it does not affect only the environment but also the human and everything around. We must be alert and always ready for this changes and learn how to adapt to new things and must be open minded to see thing in a clear or in a positive way of life.
Romalyn Dela Cruz on September 14, 2015:
There are many things that we could do to help the environment. We need to help the environment because we live on earth, and this is the only place we can live on right now. If we treat it like the city dump it becomes dirty and unlivable. If we treat it well, the earth stays a clean place, perfect for living, for ourselves and our children.
In order to save the environment you need to be aware of what you are doing, buying, using, and what it does to the environment.
There are many ways we can help save the environment everyday. You can reduce the amount of waste you produce by buying products in bulk, rather than in individually wrapped containers. You can also reuse things. Do not throw away unwanted used computer paper, use the other side for scratch paper, then recycle it. Before you throw broken things away, see how much it would take to repair them. Donate used clothes, furniture, toys, books, and magazines to charity. It is also very easy to recycle. You can try to find recycling centers in your area that will accept toner cartridges, aluminum & steel cans, newspapers & phone books, plastic jugs & bottles, glass jars & bottles, shopping bags, car batteries, and motor oil. Another thing you can do if you have a yard to do it in is compost. Compost makes a great fertilizer for your plants. If you try to stay away from using disposable plates, cups, napkins, and plastic ware, that would help. Something people a lot of times don't think of is using rechargeable batteries or renewable alkaline batteries. Whenever possible, use fluorescent lighting.
Renadel E. Domingo BEED-III on September 14, 2015:
Our mother Earth is not in danger. WE are in danger. Nothing anyone can do will cause irreparable harm to the planet. However, the actions of humans are making the planet less and less hospitable for ourselves (and other organisms). When we change things enough we will go extinct and the planet will go on. We all have to work together to save the environment. There are things that you can do as an individual to help out.
Jefferson Neil BSBA 1-1 on September 14, 2015:
aware the people about trap metal not also people the company also or reduce some space activities or do some responsible action
krischarm David on September 14, 2015:
krischarm david
BSBA1-1
You may not be able to reduce global warming, end pollution and save endangered species single-handed, but by choosing to live an earth-friendly lifestyle you can do a lot every day to help achieve those goals.
And by making wise choices about how you live, and the amount of energy and natural resources you consume, you send a clear message to businesses, politicians and government agencies that value you as a customer, constituent and citizen.
Consumers Energy Programs
Saving Electricity
Reduce Energy Bill
Here are five simple things you can do—in 30 minutes or less—to help protect the environment and save Planet Earth.
Janel M. Brasileño on September 13, 2015:
BSBA 1-1
Our Mother Earth is a unique, indivisible, self-regulating community of interrelated beings that sustains, contains and reproduces all beings.
We cannot bring back its natural beauty but we can help to maintain its remaining beauty by simple segregate bio-degradable and non-biodegradable garbage. We can be great eco-warriors that can prevent the Earth from further damage. We need to be aware of how huge contributions we can to minimize global warming, pollution and other threats against the environment, the world would probably a healthier place to live at. With simple things, we can create huge ripples of changes. People often take for granted the abundance of resources that are reaped from the earth and forget that it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of the world in which we live. Though many may feel powerless to halt the destruction of the earth, there are small contributions that can help maintain the health of the planet. We should always remember the three "Rs" Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Rachelle Joyce I. Reyes BEEd-III on September 13, 2015:
T,F/2:00-3:30/ SCC 101
It is totally right people need to start trying to save the earth. I mean people need to do something. We are literally standing on earth while it is being destroyed all around us. I don’t take that much time to throw a can in the trash and not on the ground. It’s so much easier for the earth when it doesn’t have to decompose a bunch of garbage. It's like nobody cares anymore except for people that volunteer their time to help the earth each and every day. If we would recycle one thing a day and everyone participated it would take a lot off our earth. It even helps for us to make this because people always look on just one side. Me as a future educator I want to HELP THE EARTH ,and teach my student to BE EARTH FRIENDLY so that to produce a strong desire to save our planet.
Regine G. Saulog on September 13, 2015:
Regine G. Saulog
Bachelor of Elementary Education III
In our generation, climate change is very critical. As a student and future teacher we can do and we can help to save the Earth. If you will not be a good leader, what you are doing will not action as good as well . As teacher we should start from ourselves, to be their role model, so they will copy the good things you are doing on the environment. There are so many things to do to help our mother Earth. Our environment is very polluted. We can save our the Earth by planting trees, dont burn plastics and don't throw waste anywhere. We just have only one planet, so we should take good care of it. We have to start now, so we don't have to say that we lost another yesterday. Save the Earth, Save lives..
Reynalyn L. Banzon BEED-3 on September 13, 2015:
Our Mother Earth is calling us. Begging for us to save the place where we only human exist. Sometimes, people are doing such things that is not good in the environment but they are not aware of that. We keep on complaining how it affects our lives but we do not admit that it happened because of our own action. Climate change, pollution and global warming are very alarming. Environmental issues are now taking part in our lives. We should avoid those mental traps and stop denial and no action at all. At the end of the day, we can do something. I remember in our seminar talking about environmental issues, it says that great actions comes along from small ideas. We should not depend on the power of the technology. We should have faith.Faith that we still have the power to solve it and live safer like it was before. Lastly, we should be responsible in whatever we are doing. Every action has its corresponding consequences.
Pam Matic BEED III on September 13, 2015:
Through deforestation, urbanization, industrialization, and pollution, our environment is being destroyed. Flows of energy, nutrients, and other elements are disrupted. Global warming and climate change are the major threats to Earth and all human beings. Due to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by civilization, heat is building up in the atmosphere at a rate not seen for tens of millions of years. The cities are becoming “heat islands.” Pollution is becoming a great killer. Levels of air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, and food contamination are high. Human interference has brought nature close to destruction. Now we all must come together to save the environment and humankind.
Angeliqueen Perez on September 13, 2015:
Angeliqueen Perez
BSBA 1-1
As a simple student I cannot save the Earth totally but I can start saving Earth slowly by disciplining my self not to put garbage on the streets, seas, rivers, lake. And as a business woman in the future, I build an organization that helps our Mother Earth. Do not support or buy products that can harm our Earth, buy products that will not affect the Earth.
Ria Marie S. Dela Cruz BEED - IV on September 13, 2015:
We all make some direct or indirect contributions to the environmental problems we face. However, we do not want to feel guilty about it, we try not to think about it too much - taking a path that can lead to denial,indifference, and inaction. I will suggest that in order to avoid this path, we move beyond blame, guilt, fear, and apathy by recognizing and avoiding some common mental traps. In the end, it comes down to what you and i do to make the earth a better place to live for current and future generations.
Trisha Ann Angeles BSBA 1-1 on September 13, 2015:
Trisha Ann Angeles BSBA 1-1
Without the Earth we have nowhere to live, along with many other organisms. If we don't save the Earth now maybe our children or grandchildren might not be able to see it for long. Our atmosphere is weakening and we have to do something about it fast.
We could plant more trees to create more oxygen to keep the bad air away from the atmosphere, or we could just stop cutting down the rainforest. We are living and we need the space but we aren't the only species on this earth. Saving the rainforest is not only good for us and the atmosphere but also good for the many different species that it homes.
We could try to get as many people as possible to switch to hybrids and other energy saving things to use less fossil fuel for energy and relying more on solar and wind energy.
Fossil fuels are destroying our earth and we need to limit the use of it.
Recycling is a great and easy way to help our precious planet. Everyone can help, all they have to do is follow three simple rules; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
The world is precious and we need to keep it that way.
Ronnel M. Felipe BSBA 1-1 on September 13, 2015:
Our mother Earth is crying ,can we even hear and feel it?. It's alarming!!! So we better stop our wrong doings.
Climate change is a very huge global problems nowadays , it's getting more alarming , we can see this in it's effects such as: green house gases , changing in climate patterns and illenesses that we , humans can encounter.
The Earth is only one so we better take care of it so much. By controlling our acrivities that might affects our mother nature. We need values to preserve it's beauty and also we need oneness to stop climate change. We are the one who responsible why we encounter this now , so we are also the one who responsible in making a move and finding a solution to prevent it . Anyone can be leader, we only need a good follower and a better plans to start up this good advocacy and turn it into good outcome so by means of this we can push ourselves to make a better community and peaceful planet.
Corazon E. Bondoc BSBA-1 on September 13, 2015:
We must save the Mother Earth. Our environment is already polluted and if we wanted to prevent climate change, we have to stop doing things that may affect our nature. Earth is the only planet we can live and if don't take care of it, the next generations will suffer. We're in a situation that us, humans is the only one that can save the Earth.Mother Earth has taken a beating when it comes to her health and appearance. The destruction of woodlands, the pollution of beaches and oceans, and the depletion of the ozone layer are making it increasingly difficult for her.
Joyce m. Larin on September 13, 2015:
BEED - III
Ecnogy/2:00-3:30/TF/SCC101
As I was reading this, I remembered a post that I read a days ago, it states there that 10 months from now Earth will become more hotter than we are experiencing right now, it will increase for about 7 degrees Farenheit and it is because of Climate Change! Yes, the unending climate change that caused by the people who lack in discipline. They never bother to respect and take care of the Mother Earth. But never think that this climate change can't be cured, it can. We, the youths of this generation are considered to be called the "Pag asa ng Bayan" so we should not loose hope. We can still change the world by means of doing simple things. In everything there is a hope, we should have to believe in ourself and our abilities that we can change the world, that we can still make the world a paradise again like before and not make it more polluted.
As a future teacher, we should NOT teach our students to fully depend on the power of science and technology that they can solve the problem in the climate change because as we all know technology can consider as one of the cause of this chaos if people overused it. Lastly, as an individual, we must have Faith! Faith that we can still resolve it, all we have to do is to take care of our environment. As a student, we should develop a respect, discipline and genuine love for our environment.
abigail galvez019 on September 13, 2015:
Abigail B. Galvez BSBA 1-1
How can we save our Mother Earth?That's the big question that we all find hard to answer.Saving our Mother Earth is a big problem, because we don't know where to start. All we can do now is to try to help eliminating those harmful pollutants, try to clear our mind that we need to help one another to conserve our environment,especially for our future generation
Aljon Calmona on September 13, 2015:
Aljon T. Calmona BSBA 1-3
Nowadays environmental problems are too big to be managed by individual persons or individual countries. In other words, it is an international problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The problems of the environment have become very notorious for the present civilisation. Unfortunately, people are witnesses of completely desolate, spoiled territories and very changeable climate. As a result, the world aspires to unify efforts of each country and every person in a fight with global problems of the environment. At the same time, it would not be a democratic discussion if some negative tendencies were overlooked, for instance, that there are many speculations about ecological problems because it has become very prestigious and beneficial to protect the environment.
It is important to clarify and define the key problems of the environment. There are many serious changes in the global climate, for instance, the vast glaciers in the pole regions have been melting. At the same time, this process endangers many countries, which are situated near the sea. The problem is that melted ice enhances the danger of devastating flooding.
The present situation with the environment dictates the importance of finding solutions to this problem. In many countries, there are a significant number of non-governmental organisations, which have as an aim to protect the ecological system. However, as it was mentioned above the negative processes in the world are so global and intensive that local non-governmental organisations are not able to be so effective. This is the main reason, which has provoked strained deliberations between many countries, and this dialog has helped them to arrive at the decision that it is very important to unify global efforts. There is a considerable number of many positive examples of this work. For instance, the UN is an organisation, which is very successful in the protection of the environment.