Why are so many Americans opposed to conserving resources?

Question

Why are so many Americans opposed to conserving resources?

Answer 1

I would have the same question, but with no real answer.  Maybe it is a pride thing, or a simplistic belief that our resources will never run out.  I have found a product at www.save-gas-and-globe.com that will save 10% on gas usage over time.  But despite my efforts, only 2 people have tried it, even with a money back guarantee.  If gas goes to $6 gallon maybe we will start saving.

Answer 2

Most Americans would be thrifty if the felt the need.

Unfortunately, we rarely are shown the need, since the costs of so many things are externalized.

Take gasoline for instance.  If you total up all the taxes that the average American pays for car transport, it would be the equivalent of 9 dollars per gallon.  However, since he pays that through a wide variety of means, he doesn't see the costs when he is making his consumption decisions.  He's paying for it, (property, income, registration, sales taxes) but does not see the direct correlation between the act and its incurred costs on his tax bill.  Thus we say that the costs are externalized.

If we internalized the costs, made paying for the total cost of an act (driving, for instance) something you did up front as you go, then Americans would be excellent at conservation.  Why do you think Europeans use transit so much, and have little cars and drive them as rarely as possible?  It’s not necessarily because they are envirohippies, it’s just because they are more aware of the costs of their actions, because they pay for it directly, through higher motor fuels taxes, rather than indirectly, like we do.

Internalize costs, and by all means Americans will conserve.  If you had to pay up front for the cost of landfilling your non-biodegradable foam cup( rather than later on through higher municipal taxes or solid waste rates), would that recycled paper cup look more attractive?  Absolutely, because it would be cheaper (since fewer costs are externalized).

Answer 3

Because it means giving up things they like. People tend to think of the here and now. They are not thinking what it will be like on Earth in a hundered years because they will be dead by then. People have the attitude, "Why should I care, if it won't affect ME?" Remember in a lot of places in the industrialized world its all about ME,ME,ME. Especially in America. Heck I live in America, I see examples of it everyday.

People everywhere need to start thinking outside the box and look towards what the furture might be if they don't learn to better care for this planet.

Answer 4

For some it's just about politics.  Anything "environmental" carries connotations of a liberal, "hippie" outlook that they despise.  For others, it's a reluctance to disturb a comfortable lifestyle.  I like my Cadillac Escalade, long, hot showers, bottled water from Fiji and imported caviar, and I'd rather not think about what it all means for the planet.  Many believe that technology will find an answer, so we don't have to worry about it.  And for some, it's simple denial.

Answer 5

Laziness.

Stubbornness.

Answer 6

For the same reason people don't save money. They think they are already using the absolute minimum of resources they need to just barely survive, and and attempt to take any resources away will actually kill them.

Answer 7

Because an extra effort will have to be put in. (example: separating plastic, paper, metal, organics trash opposed to just throwing it all away in one container)

Answer 8

So many Americans are opposed to conserving resources because of the extra work it would take. Most people would rather have a cool car that gets terrible mileage then get an ugly car that would get 40 miles to the gallon. And I mean, which would you rather do? Live in a house made of your own poo that would be ecologically friendly and warm in the winter, or live in a house with a gas heater that would be constantly warm yet would use a ton of gas? Most Americans would really rather not even have to smell p**p, let alone live inside of it. It all comes down to laziness and the inability of humans to make a small sacrifice for something that could actually save our entire world.

Answer 9

most people don`t care

Answer 10

We're not.  Americans lead with the technology to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Most of the resources we do use are recycled.

To say that Americans are opposed to conserving resources is just a negative stereotype.

Answer 11

Americans are Evil!  That's why.

Nah, just kidding.  I'm an American, I put in energy saving bulbs in my house, I recycle, I car pool.  I do what I can.

Answer 12

People just dont care.