Short Attention Span Versus Climate Change Mitigation

It’s certainly not a new idea that human beings, Americans in particular, tend to have short attention spans and are easily “issue-fatigued.” This is exacerbated by the corporate media which, in its quest for ratings (equivalent to dollars), crank up new stories, normally about trivial garbage, at a pace calculated to lead the typical American consumer along by the nose.

In any case, this issue-fatigue phenomenon is the main reason that Americans have such a lack-luster attitude when it comes to dealing with climate change.  As shown here, when we’re asked in polls to identify our major concerns, the subject is rarely even on the list.

Here’s an article by former United States treasury secretary and chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs Hank Paulson on this precise subject, in which he identifies the reasons that failing to take action now because of our short-term focus is a huge mistake that may have permanent consequences.

I was never a fan, but I have to say: Good job!