OTEC, Sustainability, and Brain Chemistry

Have you ever wondered about the age-old nature-nurture discussion? What are the forces that determine the way we think and act?

My colleague Jim Greenberg, chief sustainability officer at OTECorporation told me during a recent meeting at his office about this study on the difference in brain chemistry between self-described liberals and conservatives. We all feel very strongly that we choose our politics (and our other major modes of thinking). But is it possible that we’re simply wrong?

This all came up in connection with the talk Jim and I had about how we “reach” people with our message that a sustainable approach to energy is important. Common wisdom suggests that conservatives may be harder to get hold of with messages of sustainability. There may be some truth there, but I reject the notion overall. I believe that that the idea of passing along a robust and healthy planet is one that transcends politics. After all, as Jim and I discussed over lunch, to take admittedly extreme examples, George Wallace and Benito Mussolini, as well as Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer, all loved their children and wanted the best for them.