A Change in Values
Some commentators are saying that the large swing to the greens was not entirely a protest vote, but a real change in values.
I think we are seeing some of the effects of a very large and profound transition from the old industrial age to the new post-carbon age. one of the essential changes is for all humans to adopt new values, such as responsibility for one's actions and awareness of how our actions affect our environment, other people, other creatures and our present and future sustainability.
Essentially, as at all times of transition, its a battle between the old, who fear change, and the new, who fear non-change as they can see the dangers of staying in the past. balance is necessary as change, if too rapid, can destabilise.
I suspect we will see as many political changes coming up as we will increasingly see vast changes in weather patterns.
What do others think?
Koko, you've made an interesting comment: "I find it extremely annoying that some people who are more inclined toward Green /left politics , assume that more conservative voters are not concerned with pollution and the environment. ".
If conservative voters really are concerned with pollution and environment I am wondering why they tend to vote against reduction in logging of old growth forests, for more and more polluting mining, more urban sprawl, greater immigration, more roads, more cars, greater exploration for oil/gas on our barrier reef, less investment and government support for clean renewable energy sources, etc....
If conservative voters really were concerned with pollution and destruction of our environment, would our country be in the dire state it is in today? (I'm referring to the poor state of our environment.)
it may be that you are an exception and really do care about these things, so i'm wondering who you vote for and what your reasons might be?
My apologies for not answering your second response to me sooner.
I did try and answer to the best of my ability.
Your post assumes that the environmentalists are 100% correct. I don't. I do believe though that many on the right have become much more aware of certain aspects of the old ways of doing things and are genuinely attempting to modernise .
I care for the environment, but do NOT agree with much of the environmentalists methods.
That I suppose is what I'm trying to say. It's not a black and white situation as some Greens would have us believe.
Here in Victoria, the govt has refused to build dams, and is building a desal plant at a cost which dwarfs what it would cost to build a couple of dams. We've had great rains in the last week, with more to come...mostly running off to the ocean. Not to mention the power the desal plant will use. I just feel there is no compromising with the Greens and their friends ALP.