Oil spills are the result of just one of the practices harmful to the natural world. Whether we live near other waters or inland, we are not out of the reach of Prince William Sound or the Gulf of Mexico. Neither can we escape individual responsibility.
Businesses and governments are not the cause of environmental problems, they are merely reflections of the majority of individuals. Society reflects the beliefs of its individuals. These beliefs accumulate and spillover into larger society as the policies and practices of its institutions. When enough individuals change their beliefs, society automatically changes. Business will stop going anywhere for anything and using any method to get it. Governments will stop allowing it. Governments will also stop using common monies for its preferences. Individuals will conduct personal private boycotts which will automatically put offending businesses and politicians out of business.
Yes, individuals can reduce the negative effects of large scale disasters such as oil spills by changing their small scale, individual approaches to the natural world. Once enough individuals demand better of themselves, they will not accept excuses from companies and public agencies. There'd be a sincere focus on avoiding man-made disasters.
For instance, we require flood insurance for those living in areas that nature might flood. We should also require environmental damage insurance if any aspect of a business might harm nature. These insurance premiums would be collected by the industry and in case of damage, the entire industry would pay. You gotta pay to play and put in to get in. Although there would still be outside monitoring, this could make each industry mostly self-policing in terms of always being proactive about environmental damage.
Consider the following 12 quotes, proverbs, musings & reflections.
1. Take what's natural, take a part of me.
2. A civilized society does not bite the land that feeds it.
3. Smart people do not leave nature smarting.
4. A man not informed by nature can be many things except wise.
5. People that exhibit intelligence do not inhibit nature.
6. A high regard for technology shouldn't cause a low regard for nature.
7. Parents who mistreat nature want their kids to have a badder life than them.
8. Quality of life is in the ecology of life.
9. Loving gardening and loving nature are not the same things.
10. If grass grows in the garden does it become a weed?
11. There is no personal relationship with God without also having one with nature.
12. If not mindful of nature we are out of our natural mind.Related: President Obama, I Am Responsible For The Economy
