Politicians are fond of framing the environmental debate as a choice between ‘jobs’ and ‘the environment' (or 'the economy' versus 'the environment') and claiming that ‘the environment will cost jobs’. Climate change provides many examples of this, as John Howard, George Bush and many others have demonstrated. They reduce this complex social issue into a simple dualistic frame. This is misleading and needs to stop.
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The debate in terms of ‘jobs’ that are obviously very close to people’s hearts (especially in these difficult economic times) versus ‘the environment’ (which is a term that is often psychologically remote for many urban city dwellers) forces people to choose between something that is perceived as close and valuable to them against something that is often perceived as distant/remote from their lives and therefore of low value (even though they are a part of the Earth’s ecosystem and we all need food, air and water to survive). Given this narrow choice, many people might only think of themselves, but we are all in this together and a more community based global solution is required. Rather than either/or type thinking we need a more holistic approach (i.e. sustainable development).
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Let me explain why I believe it is childish (or even insane) to frame climate change as a simply choice between jobs and the environment.
Let me explain why I believe it is childish (or even insane) to frame climate change as a simply choice between jobs and the environment.
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Psychology tells us that there are two groups that use ‘splitting’:
Psychology tells us that there are two groups that use ‘splitting’:
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The first group is very young children: ‘splitting’ is seen during an early developmental stage, it is the overly-simplistic thinking where people (or things) are seen as either all ‘good’ or all ‘bad’.
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The first group is very young children: ‘splitting’ is seen during an early developmental stage, it is the overly-simplistic thinking where people (or things) are seen as either all ‘good’ or all ‘bad’.
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The second, splitting is used as a defence mechanism by those with borderline personality disorder (who are unable to integrate the good and bad images of both self and others) or those with narcissistic personality disorder (who also use splitting as a central defense mechanism in order to preserve their self-esteem).
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Splitting seems to be present in thinking that jobs are ‘good’ and worth protecting and therefore protecting the environment must be ‘bad’ because it will cost jobs. So that leaves us with the ugly choice that certain politicians are ‘splitting’ because they can only see the issue in overly-simplistic terms (like a baby does) or that they have borderline/narcissistic personality disorder or another option is that they could be manipulating the public to protect business-as-usual interests. Hmmm, not a great selection to choose from!
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Splitting seems to be present in thinking that jobs are ‘good’ and worth protecting and therefore protecting the environment must be ‘bad’ because it will cost jobs. So that leaves us with the ugly choice that certain politicians are ‘splitting’ because they can only see the issue in overly-simplistic terms (like a baby does) or that they have borderline/narcissistic personality disorder or another option is that they could be manipulating the public to protect business-as-usual interests. Hmmm, not a great selection to choose from!
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I think most people are capable of thinking in much more complex ways than simply either/or type framings on climate change. If people must reduce climate change into simplistic dualistic terms (and I don’t think this is wise), then it would be preferable to think in terms of ‘green jobs’ versus ‘dirty’ jobs (or even ‘green infrastructure’ versus ‘dirty’ infrastructure). Still, the coal industry probably wouldn’t be happy with that framing.
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I feel we must move away from this ‘splitting’ on environmental issues and instead need to look at things in a more adult way! This is where the idea of sustainable development comes in - it allows economic development as long as it is within the limits of the environment. If our economic progress is unsustainable then the environment will pay but progress that is sustainable is what is needed (e.g. more renewable energy). The keeping of voters (who must be at least 18 years of age) in a child-like state of thinking on climate change is ridiculous and must be designed to stop people thinking outside traditional ideas. Even the Yin/Yang teaches us that there is some white within the black and vice versa (it would pay politicians and often the media to remember this). We must think in much more holistic (multidisciplinary) terms if we are to negotiate this major social problem.
I feel we must move away from this ‘splitting’ on environmental issues and instead need to look at things in a more adult way! This is where the idea of sustainable development comes in - it allows economic development as long as it is within the limits of the environment. If our economic progress is unsustainable then the environment will pay but progress that is sustainable is what is needed (e.g. more renewable energy). The keeping of voters (who must be at least 18 years of age) in a child-like state of thinking on climate change is ridiculous and must be designed to stop people thinking outside traditional ideas. Even the Yin/Yang teaches us that there is some white within the black and vice versa (it would pay politicians and often the media to remember this). We must think in much more holistic (multidisciplinary) terms if we are to negotiate this major social problem.
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So next time someone says "it will cost jobs" - just ask yourself "are they in an early developmental stage (e.g. wearing nappies) or are they using it as a defence mechanism to protect their ideas???
.Random Man (2008).
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If you enjoyed this post please also check out:
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Climate Safety: In case of emergency . . .
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Policy Quarterly: the problem of international ‘burden sharing’
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Combating Climate Change and Boosting Growth Are Natural Allies
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Nine Meals from Anarchy
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Polar Bear Begs
.
Climate Safety: In case of emergency . . .
.
Policy Quarterly: the problem of international ‘burden sharing’
.
Combating Climate Change and Boosting Growth Are Natural Allies
.
Nine Meals from Anarchy
.
Polar Bear Begs
.
Comments most welcome !!!
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