Bob Dylan nailed our dilemma when he said “Most people don’t do what they believe in; they just do what’s most convenient, and then they repent.” This is true for all other animals as well; we are all programmed to follow the path of least resistance to what we want, whether it be food, rest, shelter, or sex. So our ongoing challenge is to make ecologically responsible behavior MORE convenient, rather than less, than wasteful or destructive behavior. Good luck with that!

But guilt-tripping people never works—it only creates resentment, which is exploited by Republican demagogues on Fox “News.” A much better approach to encouraging more responsible behavior is invitational: rather than pointing fingers and saying “stop doing what you like”—try messages like the bumper sticker I just designed: “Grow gardens, grow community, grow awareness.” So far, no right-wing idiot has given me the finger for that one!