Sierra Club Magazine September/October 2003 issue

In the last few decades, Americans have become spectator citizens. Robert Putnam’s book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community counts the ways: Interest in public affairs has declined by 20 percent, voting by 25 percent, attendance at public meetings by 30 percent, and participation in party politics by 40 percent. A professor of public policy at Harvard University, Putnam says that Americans are more socially isolated these days, too. Bowling leagues are much less popular than they used to be, despite the fact that the number of bowlers has increased. Even card-playing – a pastime 40 percent of Americans enjoyed at least once a month 30 years ago – could nearly disappear by 2020 if its current rate of decline continues.

Environmental involvement seems to run counter to these antisocial trends. Membership in national groups rose from 125,000 in 1960 to 6.5 million in 1990, more than a 50-fold increase. And we have a larger-than-ever group of activists who educate, organize, and lobby. But how many of us are not only doing good for people, but doing good with people? That’s how Putnam measures "social capital," the grease that keeps the machinery of a democracy running, that makes looking out for others and solving problems together a satisfying shared duty. How many of us talk to our neighbors about the issues we care most about? How many encourage friends to vote? How much are we doing to revive America’s ailing political process?

Not enough, certainly – but we have good reasons: The task is daunting, we are busy, and we don’t know where to start. Well, here’s a suggestion: In our November/December issue, a new section called "Let’s Talk" will encourage you to get together regularly with a few friends and neighbors. You decide when and where. We’ll suggest an illuminating movie or book to talk about. On our Web site, we’ll provide background reading materials and questions to help spark a good discussion.

If you’re an active Sierra Club member, "Let’s Talk" will offer ideas for meetings. Or you can gather informally – in your home, or in a local park or pub or coffee shop. It’s a small step, but the payoff is potentially great. Community involvement can make us "smarter, healthier, safer, richer, and better able to govern a just and stable democracy," Putnam explains. Rousing ourselves for an engaged conversation with our neighbors just might help build a world we’d be prouder to live in and pass on to our children. So put on the coffee, set out the cookies, and let’s talk.
–Joan Hamilton

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