Earth Day Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the R-Word
Leave a commentApril 20, 2013 by losingourcool
The Right has developed a kind of shorthand language for talking about the future they fear more than any other, and the key word in that language is “rationing.” On any given news day, politicians, pundits, and media personalities who oppose climate protection, hate food assistance, and fear universal health care can be heard making the claim that if any serious steps are taken toward creating a fairer, healthier, more ecologically sound society, then we will be faced with rationing. And—on this point if on nothing else—they’re right.
But while that prospect is anything but appealing, many of us see much worse fates looming: a climate gone haywire maybe, or wholesale extinctions, or deadly pandemics. So those of us calling for bold action to stave off such catastrophes should drop the euphemisms and admit that rationing will be essential if we are someday to enjoy the kind of ecologically robust society that is envisioned in #EarthDay celebrations.
Any Way You Slice It 