TOMORROW'S PRICE FOR TODAY

When reflecting on my own capacity for future consciousness I was really struck by the concept of self-efficiency in the development of future consciousness, particularly how it could effect an individual’s perception of the social trap mental mode. Believing in one’s ability to accomplish future environmental sustainability is difficult to see with the levels of cooperation that are globally required to achieve such a goal. This can be a strong deterrent in the personal accountability to change.

The “cult of the present” perspective on the Western world colors the damage of the consumer drive; the demands of society have abused the potential for progress in nature and jeopardized the conditions for the future. That development of future consciousness is essential to changing the world. Living from the environmental Golden Rule each generation should meet their own needs without costing future generations is key in solidifying hope in the future.

The wealthiest fifth of humanity is the most accountable for the overconsumption depleting our environment. Our generation has experienced one of unforeseen technological growth, affording new opportunities that have new consequences.  The United States per capita has increased 60% since 1950, “the entire world population decidedly could not live in the style of Americans, with their larger homes, more numerous electrical gadgets, and auto-centered transportation systems” (The Futurist 13). The problem is worldwide with Japan and Western Europeans consumption levels exploding since the 1980s as well. Other less developed economies have just as much interest on increased consumerism, “people in the West think we in Hungary don’t know how they live. Well, we do know how they live, and we want to live like that, too” (The Futurist 12). This obsession with having has created an appetite the earth cannot sustain. The fact that those benefiting from such excess are only a limited number of the Earth’s population is really shocking. The question of personal accountability takes new weight as the fortune of existing in a developed country comes at an even greater price.

Acknowledging that every change has to start somewhere can help motivate as a first step in a change for sustainability. Beyond personal simplicity political confrontation needs to be enacted to create safeguards for the future. Revised tax-systems and subsidies are potential guides in ensuring that industries move towards less environmentally damaging practices. We need to transition away from the obsession at competition by any means and reconsider our actions with an attitude of cooperation towards future consciousness.