In the article Why Bother, the author Michael Pollan discusses that the planet is at a great risk due to climate change and the immense carbon emissions yet ‘we’ the people have so far done nothing fruitful to counter the issue. He writes about Al- Gore and his proposition about saving the planet by changing one’s light bulb (Pollan). The problem is far more rooted and intense than this mentality. He says that this impassive and carefree attitude is the reason why even if one person on the planet starts making a change with their lifestyle and habits, there will be another person on the opposite side of the world doing the exact opposite and trying to reverse whatever the other person has done for making the change. He describes the worries of the scientists who claim that the ice is melting on the glaciers faster than anticipated and climate change is one of the most difficult phenomena to encounter (Pollan). He writes about the views of Michael Specter who holds the opinion that climate change is not a matter of person choice and opinion rather it is something that also requires law making and money going into the cause (Pollan). But then he says that it is true that money and laws will be effective however it is also a matter of personal choices where an individual will have to change their ways and turn to a greener lifestyle. Planting gardens are one step, he says. He also says it is not just one choice rather a sum of many small choices that people need to make in their lives. Next in the essay, he quotes the Kentucky farmer Wendell Berry who holds the mentality that the world cannot turn back to the innocence of the 1970s where everything was simpler although industrialization existed rampantly (Pollan). His problem, however, is the specialization of industrialization which is the root cause of environmental problems. He says that problem with the society is the assigning of roles for everything they do, and this is why the morality of everything is questionable. The author says it is imperative that people get rid of the cheap energy mindset. He has strong faith in the proposition that it is important people do things on an individual level and plant gardens for themselves. This will cut down the need for the immense amounts of fossil fuels and pesticides needed to produce the same food. Doing so in one’s personal garden will induce a chain reaction of goodness and people will take steps to making their world greener, and the message will eventually spread where climate change will be taken as a serious threat. The carbon footprint will be eliminated with the help of gardening as a step (Pollan).
In his article, I believe that Michael Pollan delivered his thoughts and message in a very firm and dominant manner and he was keen on proving his point that people today need to be bothered about climate change, which they are not. The article might be too strong for some people, and others might feel the brunt of the claims the author makes since he is resilient in stating that people do not care about the environment, and he is only that seems concerned. He keeps reminding people that they have a planet they need to care about, which they are simply taking for granted by burning away carbon dioxide and fuels and although people today are well-aware of what is harming the climate, they are least bothered about what they need to do to save it. He is correct in stating that a simple strategy would be to change our ways and turn to a greener way of life that involves people walking or riding a bike to work or cutting down on meat so that he carbon levels can be reduced.
Throughout the article, Pollan tries to make connections with the audience even though he drifts to examples and analogies here and there. At the beginning of the article, he is like any other nature enthusiast and is urging people to plant more gardens, to go green and make a change in the world. However, I feel this approach is not realistic and practical as far as the modern society is concerned. People will find it very difficult to adapt to ways they are unaware of and haven’t dealt with since forever. Technology has advanced on the shoulders of consuming fossil fuels and utilizing them to its fullest. One practical solution he gives is that of hybrid cars. It is true that these cars are a solution to a reduction in the carbon footprint reduction steps, but can that be done by every soul on Earth?
It seems a little delusional of him to ask every person to have their own garden. Many people might not have the time to do so especially if they work long hours and gardens and farming is one profession that needs care and concern of the farmer. However, I agree with the manner in which Pollan addresses how people are unconcerned about the environment and what can be done to make significant changes in the way things work.
At the end of the article, it is quite interesting in the way he mentions that neighbors can heal the split between themselves through gardening, and it can help build the society into a more cohesive whole. This sensitivity is a positive point in the article which will appeal to the audiences for sure. Although an overall well-written article, it could have been improved if it also showed the progress that society has made with climate change and what is being done to counter it. More statistics and figures would have helped to explain the intensity of the situation especially for those people whom he has addressed as the ones possessing the insensitive mentality. Overall, it is a strong article which highlights a very important issue being faced by humanity.
Work cited
Pollan, Michael. Why Bother? The New York Times. 2008. Pdf.
