People just can't handle the scope of some problems

It is amazing to me that some combination of popular will, private companies, and the federal and state governments are in such disarray over what to do about climate change. Of course, some wackos continue to argue that such change is not actually happening at all, but we can leave the willfully ignorant out of serious conversations.

I see the there have been FOUR once-in-thousand year flood events this summer in the U.S. alone. The odds of that happening are so small as to amount to "zero," but most Americans are unaware and/or fatalistic about the trends.

Again, there are some religious wackos who just shrug and say, "Why worry? The end of the world is night, so what's the point of long-range planning?" And, again, such people can be left out of our discussions.

Many homeowners are perfectly fine with a bit of long-range planning, like planting a new tree in the yard, knowing that it will be two decades until the added shade pays off. Most parents recognize that their investment in their children's education is another long-range project. Yet, when it comes to investing in reducing the effects of climate change, we all seem a bit brain dead.

Part of the problem may be the simple yet frustrating fact that baby boomers refuse to give up power. As a member of this group myself, I know that worrying about climate change is tough for people who will only be on the planet for another decade or two. "Let's let the next generation deal with this."

I contrast the lack of focus on this potentially catastrophic trend with a story I heard on CPR News the other day. It went into some depth on the issue of "packing out your poop" in many Colorado parks and wilderness areas. A program that gives out special bags that can be fully sealed and later disposed of in proper receptacles after the hike or camping trip is in effect and park rangers are now spending a chunk of their time simply educating campers and hikers.

The indignity of pooping in a bag and then being forced to carry it around with you is the sort of thing that people can immediately get excited about, for or against. I don't camp so I honestly don't give "a crap" about the new requirements. But any change brings disagreement -- after all, most campers were told for many years to dig a deep hole to bury poop, making sure it is away from water sources. What changed?

My connecting these two very different stories, both based in concern for the environment, is to point out that the more limited problem (and current solution) is more easily grasped by people... and more likely to eventually produce either new behaviors or new technology.

Let the poop bags multiply!

And don't bother me with reports of horrible rainstorms and floods when I am high and dry. Screw everyone else. I just want to be "free."

Ha!