Bill McKibben’s Deep Economy is an important and thoughtful book.  He shows us how if China, India and other parts of the developing world continue to mimic America’s energy consuming ways,  the world’s entire oil supply will soon be gone and the planet disastrously hot.  Our economic addiction to “growth” puts us on a collision course to catastrophe.

But the poor (and even many in the middle class) in the developing world and in America won’t change their habits without a viable alternative.  Why should I not drive my car when the bus service sucks?  Why should the Chinese ride bikes when Americans drive big cars?

McKibben disses the consumer economy.  He points out, quite correctly, that beyond a certain point, more things don’t bring happiness. in spite of what advertisers and traditional economists tell us.    But, some things do bring happiness.  At least, I think so.

I really like my new red leather couch.  It comes from Norway (at the cost of much oil expended I am sure), and it is much more comfortable than my old crappy one where the cushions used to always slide off.  My new backyard deck allows me to sit outside in the nice weather.  I like that.  I also like the new windows on my eastern wall.  It makes me happier to be able to look outside, and have some light come in.  So, sometimes, some “things’ do make me happier.  Up to a point I am sure.  But I don’t think I have reached that point yet.

And money is sometimes the only source of security.  Why would any sane person stop seeking ways to make more money when personal wealth is the only guarantee of good health care, education or security in old-age?

McKibben is articulate and right about the problems we all face.  But he is silent on how to get to where we need to be: using less energy to transport ourselves and our food.  Just telling us the consequences of our current actions is not going to make most of us change our behavior. Unless you thinks people act from rational arguments about the future of the entire planet (as opposed to their own immediate needs) we all have a problem..

McKibben has done us a great service by showing us the problem, and also giving us numerous examples of people and organizations around the planet that have already changed the way we feed and transport ourselves – and create a viable local economy with greater sense of community and happier people.

He has many great stores about people developing local food economies and his insight that local economies are the foundation of community building is important...

McKibben himself recognizes the problem in creating the new economy he envisions.. He writes, “Nations don’t get rich; People in them do, and often not many of them .” (-p. 195)

So, how do we get people give up their energy guzzling habits?  Not easily. 

Unless there is a good alternative to the car, I am not about to give up driving and take the bus.  Especially when it is raining (or cold) and I have to wait 20 minutes (with no bus shelter) for the bus.

I am not going to change my feelings about the need to get to a job to make money,(even if I have to commute an hour by car)  unless I know I will have health care, decent education and other things I feel I need for my children, whether I have that job or not..

Someone once said, “An environmentalist is someone who has already built his cabin.”  If, as McKibben points out, all of us can’t have a cabin in the woods, then how do we all become environmentalists?