tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298303.post4107484426904569761..comments2022-04-04T19:08:11.473-07:00Comments on Opera Buffo: Internal combustion powerWendy Wagner;http://www.blogger.com/profile/16341499181581331264noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7298303.post-62251159041144661402007-01-28T22:21:00.000-08:002007-01-28T22:21:00.000-08:00I wasn't just referring to individual cars. You p...I wasn't just referring to individual cars. You pretty much nailed it. Our society is so dependent on long-distance goods that it's nearly impossible for the consumer to track where everything comes from. Did you know that massive sections of rainforest are burned and cleared in Central America just so Coca-Cola can grow oranges exclusively to make Sprite? How can the average Joe possibly know that the can he's just popped open was responsible for the loss of so much habitat? It's frustrating to the point of insanity. Local farmers markets and home gardens are a small step, but better than no step at all.<br /><br />That said, there's another snag in the arguement. Many third world countries depend so heavily on their exports, like coffee, that to cut them off would cripple what infrastructure they have. Our nation is lucky to be able to survive on local goods, but most absolutely need long-distance trade unless they are to return to an agrarian society. (Which wouldn't be a bad thing, believe you me, but we'd have to be the first to volunteer for it.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com