In "Why Bother?" Michael Pollan give his insight on the controversy that is Global warming and on what must be done to correct it. He begins by questioning the power of an individual against such a daunting task and why they should even try to do anything to better the situation. Pollan sees going green as a waste of energy and time when developing countries around the world are having bigger carbon footprints every day, which in turn undermines all his hard work. He quotes Michael Specter as saying "Personal choices, no matter how virtues, cannot do enough. It will also take laws and money," making the assertion that it is not a problem that can be solved theough an individual, rather it is something that is solved through every possible mean, including capital, politics, and technology.
Pollan goes on to saying that in order to begin a change one must overcome specialization, and begin the movement themselves, because one cannot wait for someone else to solve the problem otherwise it will never be solved. He believes that the solution to this dilemma is not through an individual, but rather a collective effort built by many individuals who help to maintain the environment. Pollan tells the reader to be green and bother because he feels that if one person bothers to help he or she "will set an example for other people," which would cause a social change and make everyone more willing to step in. He finishes by suggesting to people to try and live dependantly of their own backyard by growing vegetables and fruits, because it will help the environment by greatly lowering one's carbon footprint and make us more denpendant of the planet rather than cheap fuel.
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