Why is it so hard to change?

There are few people who don't know that what we do directly impacts the environment. What we consume causes rainforests to burn and animals to die. The point is again made here.

The questions is if we all know it why can't we seem to do anything about it? Is it because we can't or because we don't care or is something forcing us to do so against our will?

The last suggestion doesn't make sense in a world of free-will. However, I would suggest that something is causing people to act and think according to its wishes. This is not a supernatural conspiracy theory or spiritually, but straight science.

First, let's look at the work of Derren Brown. In his magic shows, one of the things he does is to implant images into peoples' minds so they then seemingly of their own free-will choose exactly what he wants them to. You can see him at work here (part 1) and here (part 2). The person he is using was the star of Doctor Who (the 10th Doctor).

While creating thoughts and beliefs is not the only factor explaining why it is so difficult for us to change harmful patterns, it is might be the one that is least recognised.

Your thoughts are completely your own, aren't they? Well, let's test it. Here are some figures to contemplate. What are we actually doing that will change this situation? What is our free will actually accomplishing?

If you believe that growth and efficiency is good for the human race, I would suggest that you have not really examined why this is true and are following ideas planted straight into your mind by the human self-organisational system.

The reason why is explained more fully here.

The first step in breaking this cycle is to recognise it exists. The second step is to begin to ask questions of things that seem to be 'givens'. Some of the examples looked at on the website are whether more choices is something that really makes us happier. Is growth really good? Is finding a clean energy source really our priority for our best future?

If it isn't, then what are all our policies and efforts really aiding?