What does climate change have to do with the American Dream?
Learn more about the dream
from our Principles page
Reducing your carbon footprint is part of rethinking the 'more is better' lifestyle
When we ask people to describe their American Dream – their ideal future - we hear about freedom and opportunity for their children; supportive communities of caring people; greater security at home and abroad; and healthy food, air and water.
When we think about what needs to happen to make that future a reality, one issue overshadows all others: climate change triggered by our collective energy consumption. The 2006 Stern Report detailed climate change’s economic threats, the 2007 CNA Report underscored the national security implications, and dozens of scientific studies have drawn a clear connection to biodiversity loss, famine, drought, and disease.
Most of the climate solutions being discussed these days revolve around a technological revolution in areas such as efficient vehicles, renewable energy, and carbon sequestration. All of these measures are essential and should be pursued, but they’re not enough. Scientists say we need to reduce global carbon emissions by 80% in a world where billions of people pursue an ever-growing material standard of living.
A key piece of the climate solution lies in the disconnect between the high quality of life that people desire and the material excess that our culture glorifies. Just as a sufficiency ethic helps individuals achieve a high quality of life by shifting their focus from ‘more is better’ to more of what really matters, a widespread sufficiency ethic will empower the coming technological revolution to reduce global carbon emissions.