Paul F Steinberg the author of “Who Rules the Earth” emphasizes the presence of social rules in relation to current environmental thought and policy. The common trend in environmental thinking today focuses on “the small changes we can make as individuals, which (we are told) will add up to something big” (Steinberg 2015,5), while making individual efforts is important Steinberg argues that action by means of regulation implementation on the institutional level is crucial.
In order to implement new regulations a strong functioning government needs to be in place that can create and enforce these new rules. Without the authority to enforce rules and punish rule breakers the rules seem almost optional. Citizens in places that lack governmental engagement, can take on these polluting companies themselves. Nabiel Makarim, the indonesian minister of the environment, designed a rating system with the intention to “motivate environmentally responsible corporations behavior by informing local communities about the pollution release in the neighborhoods” (Steinberg2015, 147), the million dollar idea here is that money ultimately drives action. If citizens choose not to support these corporations once their environmental ratings are released will lead to a positive environmental shift by companies in order to regain business.
Sustainability is always brought to the forefront of environmental conservation and of course appears in “Who Rules the Earth”. Paul Steinberg relates sustainability to governmental control by saying “if we are going to do a better job of managing the earth’s resources sustainably, we need institutions capable of governing over long horizons”, (Steinberg2015, 131). The problem with many of our institutional regulations is that the people who created them are dead and gone. The rules were created in a different time and our rapidly changing climate demands that we reevaluate our ways. Getting out of our social habits or “ruts” as Paul Steinberg refers to them is the first step to ensuring that we take care of our planet and work toward a more sustainable existence. A great social change is needed to move out from this rut, this change “requires both moving away from the old set of rules, and putting in place new rules that endure”(Steinberg2015, 223).
Rules and regulations extend to our everyday life. Over spring break my friends and I drove to San Diego. On the way down we were able to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the giant redwoods and spend time camping and hanging out on the beaches in So Cal. This land was protected long ago and while it seems like there are no politics involved with spending time at the beach or taking a hike in the redwoods it is in fact because of politics that we have access to such activities. Understanding the importance of instating regulations on the institutional level is crucial for combating climate change. For me it is both disheartening but also encouraging to know that while individual action may not make the biggest difference we can come together as citizens to achieve even greater results.
References
Steinberg, Paul F. Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2015.