ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I am a sustainability and education consultant. Previously I was a lecturer in sustainable energy. I was originally a mechanical engineer, and later a sociologist of environmental technology, focussing on institutional barriers to wind power. I have long been interested in what motivates people's behaviours in education and sustainability practices. I am now studying psychology to better understand the psychology of climate inaction and unsustainability. I hope to integrate this with an understanding of political and institutional barriers to sustainability. I am strongly committed to social justice. I occasionally write satirical verse, particularly about climate inaction.

Denial

This is a song I wrote about climate denial. It is intended as a duet, with different voices for versus and chorus. If anyone wants to sing it and put it on Youtube - please feel free. (Just let me know the details.)

Denial
Words and Music by Andrea Bunting, 2011


The climate is changing. We know who's to blame
Foodbowl to dust and the forest in flame
The once mighty rivers lie stagnant and brown
Oceans are rising and islands will drown.

(Chorus)
The earth isn't warming, so stop blaming me
I'm not changing my ways, so just let me be
I'm happy in denial. I'm just happy in denial


It's business as usual for coal and for oil
Miles of new freeways as our cities sprawl
We're richer than ever but still we want more
Swelling the chasm between rich and poor.

(Chorus)
The earth isn't warming, so stop blaming me
I'm not changing my ways, so just let me be
I'm happy in denial. I'm just happy in denial.


We've squandered their future, but our kids will pay
Gifts of the earth we've just frittered away
So eager to take but we've little to give
Ours was to safeguard so others may live

(Chorus)
The earth isn't warming, so stop blaming me
I'm not changing my ways, so just let me be
I don't know, I don't care, I can't hear, I can't see
I deserve what I have so you're not blaming me
I'm happy in denial. I'm just happy in denial


Link to Sheet Music