Explain how a common trap called paralysis by analysis can prevent us from moving beyond blame and guilt so we can effectively address environmental challenges. Draw in ideas from this chapter and previous chapters to support your answer
What will be an ideal response
A common mental trap called paralysis by analysis refers to the idea that we should not take action on environmental issues until we have the perfect worldview, necessary scientific information, or potential solutions. The problem with this line of thinking is that we can pass the ecological tipping point, where the harmful changes are no longer reversible, while we are waiting to hear about the perfect solutions.
This would be analogous to an emergency room doctor doing nothing with a patient who is brought in with a heart attack because research is ongoing and may change the way heart attacks are dealt with in the future when we know more about them. In the meantime, the patient could die. If the doctor takes action immediately, based on what is known at the time, the patient's life may be saved.
You might also like to view...
The reason that the Moon takes on a crescent shape each month has to do with the
A. Earth's shadow. B. Sun's position. C. both of these D. neither of these
The Trail of Tears represented for America's indigenous population
A) legally mandated forced migration. B) voluntary relocation fraught with high death tolls. C) forced relocation of male family members. D) voluntary relocation of male family members. E) legally mandated forced relocation of children to new schools in the west.
Primary coasts are coasts that have features created by marine processes.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
In 1962 environmental costs amounted to approximately 1 trillion dollars. By 2002 environmental costs had:
- Tripled. - Quadrupled. - Doubled. - Stayed the same.