Introduction
The main argument I’ve found in Paul F. Steinberg’s Who Rules the Earth is simple: Be extra. That is to say, if you want to achieve anything, let alone anything significant, you have to think about one thousand times bigger than the thing you are trying to affect. Otherwise, nothing will get done. My immediate world is a lot smaller than I initially thought, which is a good thing. I can get in touch with and influence those in higher positions of power to make the change that I want to see.
What’s the point?
The earth is a big place, and you need to think about as big as that to make any progress in affecting it. Recycling is good, and people definitely should participate for that, but working locally does little to nothing, at least in comparison to “the environment.” In his book, Steinberg argues “that anyone who cares about the environment but does not believe that large-scale action is possible is wearing blinders as crippling in their effects as those of people who deny the existence of environmental problems in the first place” (215). Here the author attacks anyone who thinks they can make any big change with small actions. It is all about big institutions. Steinberg is always telling you to reach higher.
If you don’t like something, change the rules. But how do you change the rules? By affecting the super-rules. At the end of chapter ten, the author describes two different attempts at change. The first, being a community trying to limit the amount of hazardous waste near them. The second, a movement to call for the cessation of production of nuclear bombs by the US and USSR. There was a massive gathering of people in protest of the nukes, but they did not really do anything, and thus, not much was accomplished. The community dealing with waste on the other hand, got officials to create forums for community members to make their voices heard. This was more successful because it affected super-rules, the way things are handled. The nukes group was thinking big but, acted small. That plan relied on the premise that important institutions would pay attention and come to them. The waste group, on the other hand, thought small but acted big. They acted, seeking out those who can make change and working to make sure they did so.
What can I do?
Ever since that Environmental Science class in high school, I’ve talked quite a big talk about “saving the environment.” What stood out to me was little things that we can do at home to make change. But learning more means doing more, and learning is nothing without action. I was content with doing the little things because I did not realize what I am capable of doing and affecting. A lot of community leaders and change-makers have the means to make change, but simply do not know how. Not that I am some expert scientist (yet), but I have at least enough knowledge to point in the right direction what needs to be done. I can very easily contact my local congresspeople and beyond, who can write change into legislature. Anything is possible, one must simply do it!