Why does the Boomer Generation push back against environmental improvements? I keep getting these posts and memes about how annoying single-use bag rules and plastic straw bans are. Of course I get that it is kind of frustrating when you’re used to having an endless supply of free plastic bags and straws at the store and restaurants. Here’s the thing, plastic bags and straws were only introduced in the 1970s. We can totally survive without them. Does the older generation want to be remembered as the generation that filled our land and sea with plastic garbage?
As for electric cars, wind and solar energy, those are big technologies that are taking a while to establish. Yes, it’s cheaper and easier to have a car and house that uses fuel, but we also know that petroleum is in limited supply. We have to acknowledge that the mining, drilling, refining and transportation of petroleum products has created many conflicts and environmental havoc. It’s easy to mock new technologies, but what does the younger generations have to look forward to— more wars and devastating pollution?
A lot of the people I grew up with spent time overseas in military conflicts. Ostensibly the fight was for freedom, but how come it was all in countries that produce oil? Would Americans even have been there if we didn’t purchase massive amounts of petroleum products from them?
There are other places in the world that don’t have to sit in massive traffic backups. While we’re spending our resources making wider roads for even more cars that will require even more fuel, some places are removing vehicle lanes for bicycle paths and sidewalks. Many cities in Europe and Asia have transitioned to light rail for public transportation. It’s a lot more efficient space wise. It’s a lot better for air and sound quality too.
There’s no quick fix on making our country a better place to live, but it seems that some solutions will better serve long-term goals. We should move towards making improvements instead of doubling down on what’s making things worse.
