Comments on: You Can Go Home Again: What I'd Like To Have Been Able to Say to New York Times Readers

By: john kurmann

john kurmann — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:21:06 +0000

Hi, Sharon and all. Jim Hansen has just put out a press release for his upcoming paper titled ““Target Atmospheric CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim?” and I think it makes clear he is not arguing that we need to get CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere to 350 ppm atwithin a decade. Quoting:

“[The authors] find that a combination of these approaches could bring CO2 back to 350 ppm well before the end of the century.”

The full release is here.

By: Cuddle for Warmth « Green 365

Cuddle for Warmth « Green 365 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:15:51 +0000

[...] This post is for Sharon…. [...]

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:45:43 +0000

Hi Sharon:
Been a reader of your blog for a while…I really enjoy it and find what you are doing,or perhaps more to the point, how you are living, to be inspiring stuff. The NYT article was not surprising…being green is cool but you’re too far past that concept for most folks’ comfort. Let’s face it, if you can’t register economic demand as a consumer, you have sort of ceased to exist. I think what mainstream culture fears is having your outlook catch on….it’s one thing if you can be marginalized as a fringe element but if lots of folks lived like you and your family…what would become of the economy as we know it? Interestingly, I think we’re a lot closer to finding out than most would like to think. As the financial system melts down, and we run huge deficits to buy a little time, many folks will be forced into a power-down mode of existence. What I’m not clear on is whether the benefits of a low consumption/ low energy lifestyle are as apparent/ appealing if you arrive there by necessity rather than conscious choice. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Keep up the great work.
Regards, Rob

By: Shasha

Shasha — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:36:14 +0000

You may recall a few years ago my family was featured in Money Magazine as searching for the simple life. The picture they painted of us was horrible. We “deprived” our children of numerous store purchased gifts (instead we made them – which was not mentioned), we closed off rooms to save heat (egads), and chose used clothing (heaven forbid). The article suggested us that we start spending more money and invest in the stock market. Some of the feedback that we received was devastating and made me wish that we had never agreed to do the article.

2 years later we look back and laugh. We did not take the advice and in fact became more frugal in our lives/choices. We are happy with our choices, and others seem to think that our lifestyle is wise. I am certainly happy that we did not purchase the stocks that were suggested.

So, what I am trying to say is, chin up. Someone has to be the leader and the inspiration. Seeing the number of people who have commented on your blog and read your book, you should be pleased. Although the NYT may not see the validity – nay – the necessity of your choices, but others do.

The pebble is becoming a wave.

By: hugh owens

hugh owens — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:09:26 +0000

Well done Sharon. You go girl!

By: john kurmann

john kurmann — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:41:08 +0000

Hi, Sharon. I largely agree with you, but I’m pretty sure you’ve misunderstood James Hansen. As I noted in my essay “Climate On the Edge, Ordinary People Need to Get a Move On” at RethinkingtheWorld.net, Hansen was quoted as saying “we have a very brief window of opportunity to deal with climate change…no longer than a decade, at the most” a couple years ago. He also more recently wrote the following:

“Our conclusion is that, if humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, CO2 must be reduced from its present 385 ppm (parts per million) to, at most, 350 ppm.”

To my knowledge, however, he’s never said that our goal needs to be to get CO2 down to 350 ppm within 10 years, which is why I think you’ve conflated the 2 recommendations into one. Yes, we need to make a serious start on reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the next several years, but getting atmospheric concentrations back down to 350 ppm is a longer-term goal.

By: Amanda Kovattana

Amanda Kovattana — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:18:41 +0000

I'm just catching up on my reading here, but wanted to offer this. Contrast how your New York Times writer wished to portray you as living in Wierdo Land and how she had to create a new disorder in order to make sure no one else took our side seriously, with this article about how people are selling sentimental objects at garage sales and riding bicycles to save on gasoline bills. The best part is the bit about how one dad has his kid sit on a towel on the handlebars which had it been a detail of your story would have nailed you on the child abuse thing for sure. Much sympathy underlies this garage sale article because these people were shafted from the American Dream doing what they were supposed to do. This is the egregious thing about the media. They so transparently protect the mainstream idiocy, but if someone dares to project how we should be living because of a future that the mainstream refuses to accept they must be condemned to a mental ward. The curse of Cassandra again.

By: Frostwolf in Troy

Frostwolf in Troy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:31:11 +0000

Sharon, a follow-up. I showed your piece to my partner and he suggested that even for an Op-Ed it should be 1/3 as long. “2/3rds too long” is how he put it.

Something to consider, but usually with newspapers, short-and-to-the-point is best.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:18:36 +0000

I do not see why anybody even reads the New York Times! Especially outside of New York! I get all of the news that I need from my local paper and when I see people reading the Times I just think that they are trying to impress people. Hearing about this whole thing has inspired me to live more like Sharon so the Times failed if what they wanted to do was marginalize her and her mindset.

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:18:20 +0000

Sharon,
One point you seemed to have missed: The NYT is in New York City. Have you ever been there? Do you know what the author was up against? Do you know that Wall Street and Madison Avenue are there? If sickos call you sick, you must be on to something. I guarantee that there are concerned, caring people there who heard your message. Otherwise the sickos wouldn’t have bothered with you.