Cigarettes' lessons for climate change

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 4, 2012 | By Auden Schendler

[Oldeconomybuyer]

In the 1970s it seemed like we had problems we could never fix — and I'm not talking about white polyester disco suits and the band Air Supply. To punctuate the dismal vibe, everybody smoked, or so it seemed if you were sitting on an airplane at the edge of the DMZ between the smoking and nonsmoking sections.

But then something funny happened. We tackled those problems.

A move toward more fuel-efficient vehicles, plus Alaskan oil and geopolitical changes, gave us a breather from the tyranny of oil.

How'd we do it? The answer is worth considering as we struggle with a problem even harder to solve but with many similarities: climate change. In this case, we're addicted to consuming the Earth's fossil fuels in a way that's not just deadly to individuals but to the whole planet.

Sure, there's a long way to go. Denial is rampant, and the money behind the effort to delay action is as plentiful as civilization has ever known. But one only need recall the despair of the "nonsmoking" section of an airplane to remember that often sea change laps at the edges of convention. It really is darkest just before the dawn.

We've come a long way, baby. But we've got a bit further to go, and the path forward is illuminated by the soft glow of cigarettes.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[Right Wing Assault]

Cutting out smoking is increasing CO2 and causing the world to get warmer!!

[Da Coyote]

Looking to the MSM for climate advice is akin to looking to Obama for economic advice.

[oh8eleven]

Cigarettes' lessons for climate change - By Auden Schendler
Yet another liberal "expert:"

"Auden Schendler is Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company. He worked previously in corporate
sustainability at Rocky Mountain Institute. Auden has been a trailer insulator, burger flipper, ambulance medic,
Outward Bound instructor, high school math and English teacher, freelance writer, and Forest Service goose nest island builder."

Can't wait to see him testify before Congress.

[Iron Munro]

How'd we do it?

That's an easy one to answer:

Bigger, more itrusive, more tyrannical government.

Loss of more personal freedom

Greater regimentation of society

[cripplecreek]

Lets not forget the man who inspired Joseph.



Oddly enough, Bernays went exactly the other direction and led a PR campaign to get more women smoking. It included street theater with nurses marching in a parade a lighting up as they reached an area where the press was gathered.

[jiggyboy]

In the 1970s it seemed like we had problems we could never fix

("Our Cooling World", Newsweek, April 28, 1975")

[ltbigv]

The warmies have gathered on the hilltop to await the end time they have predicted by analyzing all the revelations and drawing the only possible conclusion.

It is our duty to, as their deadlines of doom come and go, to make their pathetic lives as uncomfortable and humiliating as possible. It is one of the biggest reasons I hope I am around in 30 years, and Al Gore is too.

[Conspiracy Guy]

“Denial is rampant” No denial is a river.

[FLAMING DEATH]

Yup. All those supposed conservatives who welcomed government intervention to stop people from smoking should now realize that smoking bans were just the warm ups.

Now, the camel has his nose under the tent.

[Ditter]

He was right about one thing “there was no non smoking section on an airplane”. That made me laugh and then I stopped reading. :D

[libertarian27]

~Touche~ Auden Schendler is the author of "Getting Green Done" and a board member of Protect Our Winters.

If this Auden character was around in the 70's he'd be a board member of "Protect Our Summers" :>)

[lonestar]

I remember when the “Smoking” section was in the back of the airplane...where even the non-smokers wanted to be because that was where all the laughter came from!

[Ditter]

If you “thought” the non smokers wanted to be in the back of the plane you are seriously mistaken. The smoke was everywhere! All this non smoker wanted was OFF!

[lonestar]

On many flights there were smokers and non-smokers in the smoking section...the obnoxious drunks were/are scattered.

[lonestar]

P.S. Cigarette smoke bothered me in a car more than on a plane but...

I love cigar and pipe smoke! and realize I've not smelled it in a long time.

[Ditter]

I actually used to like a whiff of cigar smoke as long as I didn't have to breathe it. More than a whiff of any kind of smoke triggers my asthma as does strong perfume and strong potpourri but cigarette smoke gags me. I find the smell of it, even a whiff, offensive. I guess it is because I grew up in a cloud of cigarette smoke from my parents. After I left home I realized what the air should smell like.

[a fool in paradise]

There are ways to eliminate STDs and teen pregnancy as well but I suspect that the author of this “prohibit it by law” advocacy piece would find that unacceptable.

[a fool in paradise]

We overfixedf the cooling problem and made the planet too hot!

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !