WellPreserved wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:13 am I used to live in "coal country" and feel as if the "common man" is offered an equitable alternative, they won't give a darn whether power comes from coal or coils or the sun. In my former county, the fact was that there was no more coal in the ground so the alternative appeared to be mountain top removal. A Christian Coalition (led by Evangelical Churches in the county) were able to make sure that the mountain top removal was a nope so the equitable alternative was training former coal workers for the solar power industry.
In my current county (also in Appalachia) the farming industry was tobacco which is a highly depletive crop. Tobacco farmers were encouraged to switch to cattle and now there is not a single tobacco farm but every farm has herd animals with many incorporating regenerative farming practices because it's better for the environment and better for farmer's pocket books. Another huge source of income for farm owners was/is logging. Currently there is an effective push for sustainable, selective logging which is better for the environment and for farmer's pocket books. These changes are being pushed by the extension office, not environmental groups, so I think that's one of the reasons that they are so accepted. You can't tell farmers they're hurting the environment so stop farming. You have to offer an alternative that is both good for the environment and profitable for the farmer.
Just to add, best selling pick-up truck in the US is the Ford F150. Best selling electric pick-up truck in the US is the Ford F150. Like I wrote, an equitable alternative must be provided. Conservatives by nature don't like change and prefer to keep things the way they are but give anyone a solution that doesn't take away their ability to support themselves, their family, or their community and you can generally sell them on change. Most people don't care what powers their energy as long as the lights turn on and their monthly bill is low but corporations which are driven by profit do so that is where the challenge lies. IMO, just like with individuals, you have to require changes while also allowing them to realize profit - solutions that are WAY above my pay grade!
So, if it works for him, the fact that his culture and his family history and his political party favors coal, Jesus wants him to sleep through it, etc., will mean nothing. I agree. And even those who are the most resistant to change can see by now that the status quo is failing. People want change that works better and will work for it, if they can see how.
That is EXACTLY what I mean when I say, the challenge of our time is building a vision for a better future. Part of that is clean, cheap energy, abundant technology, and shared prosperity, in a green landscape where people go earthing whenever they want. All of that is so possible, but only if we work together. We just need to move the Overton window so that people can see it.
That's not above my pay grade, or any of ours, I suspect. We can figure it out.
