Littering

Well so much for not raging on americans, it was a nice run while it lasted, what was that, 2 maybe three days...

Now as I'm sure many of you know littering is an eye-sore, it's everywhere, it's unavoidable it would seem. It is present in all cities of the world, however it seems to be worse here in Minneapolis, than in any other city I have lived in.

In the past 3 or 4 days I have seen three people blatantly drop their trash on the ground, even though they were all within 100 feet of a garbage can (there are a lot of them around, they just aren't used). One was a father with his son getting off the bus, as soon as he was off the father threw his transfer on the ground, the trash bin was within 10 feet (they have one at most bus shelters). The next was a kid walking down the street, he simply tossed his empty chip bag to the wind, he was right near a corner that I'm certain had a trash bin. Finally I was just walking up to the chem building and saw a woman drop the plastic and foil cover of her cigarettes on the ground, admittedly it was about a 100 foot walk (in the direction she was going) before she would encounter about 3 trash cans.

So what the hell is up with these people! Why on earth are they so ignorant of their actions, which are not only detrimental to the environment but also detract from the marginal beauty of a city. But this ignorance sadly isn't isolate to a few people on the street, it's everywhere in the states. From the massive popularity of gas guzzling SUVS, to horrid policy choices of the current US government. Some of these are truly stunning and include (but are not limited to):

• A proposal to drill for oil in the Alaskan wildlife refuge
• Severe cuts in funding to the EPA
• Not being willing to adopt the Kyoto Protocol

His reasons for not adopting the Kyoto Protocol are particularly cute; in so much as they are asinine and juvenile. For one, India and China aren't doing it. Where there's a great reason, how about leading by example for a change, or can that only happen in the name of "freedom". In addition he stated "that some European friends said it would hurt the US economy" (this may not be exact; I didn't take notes when I heard the recording on the BBC news this morning). So when exactly does the US follow the advice of Europe? Oh wait, it's that lovely double standard, they listen only when it suites them.

Maybe I'm hoping for too much, but it would be nice to see the US government take an active positive roll in the environment. Perhaps then some of Regan's trickle down idea might actually work and people would stop throwing their garbage on the ground. But that would require some kind of social conscience, and in a nation of aggressive capitalism (i.e. look out for number 1) this isn't likely to change any time soon.