Signing the New Social Contract

Last semester I wrote an article under the guidance of Professor Todd Aagaard at VLS. The article is entitled Signing the New Social Contract: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Won't Cut it Anymore. The article argues that while the 'Go Green' movement marks significant progress in the mindset of the citizen-consumer and corporate America that mindset must be met by real and significant commitments. The article calls for comprehensive climate change legislation but envisions the new EPA regulations and climate change court cases as stepping stones that will bring the citizen-consumer, corporate America and the US government face-to-face thus forcing them to acknowledge the need to legislation specifically tailored to climate change. Two articles in particular helped shape my argument that these three entities need to be brought together in a mutually reinforcing way and that the leap from socially conscience behavior to real commitments is necessary to combat climate change. They are The Responsibility Revolution and A New Social Contract. I hope you enjoy the article.