Despite warnings we resist change

To the editor,

When I was quite young I read a book about life in the slums of Calcutta, India. Known as the “dark hole of Calcutta,” these slums represented the very worst of living conditions, a daily struggle for actual survival.

Yet, when offered a chance to get out of these conditions, the people resisted attempts to move them. They had learned how to survive in horrible conditions and were afraid of any change that would disturb the equilibrium that had been achieved.

Fear of change is one of the most common human traits. Regardless of circumstances we resist doing things differently out of fear that things will get worse. Even when we know that continuing on the same path must result in undesirable consequences, we hesitate to act in our own interest, hoping to somehow muddle through.

People in the western world, essentially Europe and North America, have enjoyed several decades of affluence that past kings could hardly dream of having. We built nice homes, bought new cars, and ate the best foods from around the world. We worked fewer hours, took more vacations, and wore the latest fashions. In no past times could average working people experience life so richly.

Overpopulation, overconsumption, and the burning of enormous quantities of fossil fuels have changed the natural environment around the world. We have surpassed both the carrying capacity of our planet and the ability of the natural environment to dispose of our waste.

Still, despite warnings backed by solid scientific evidence and increasingly obvious natural indicators, we resist making changes that leave room for hope of a livable future.

We are now resisting change out of fear of losing our wealth and lavish lifestyles. Refusing to act is an act in itself. Refusing to change voluntarily guarantees a future of desperation not very far down the road.

We claim to love our children above all else. We insist they wear helmets when riding bikes. We demand that car seats and seatbelts be used when driving. We try to ensure they eat nutritious foods. And still we refuse to make changes to the way we occupy the earth so that they will have a decent chance for survival and happiness.

Humans claim to be the most intelligent species on earth. Evidence to the contrary continues to build. Orland Kennedy,

Brookfield