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A bark with no bite is simply noise.
The Overton window is a theoretical construct that embodies the menu of governmental policies that the mainstream population finds acceptable or desirable. Throughout history, our politicians have instinctually recognized that the ideas most likely to get them elected reside within the window. Alternately, advocating for radical ideas outside the window leads to a stunted or marginal political trajectory. For example, Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and free college tuition are arguably outside the national window in 2020. Amending the contents or scope of the window requires a mood shift in society at-large. In other words, when the public demands free college tuition, a political "leader" will identify the issue as their own and become an advocate. Excuse my snark but this tendency might be labelled as "leading from behind."
A subjective review of modern environmental health sentiment suggests that interests central to our profession might be edging toward the window, possibly offering us a once in a generation opportunity to advance values we and our communities hold dear. For example, 40% of Americans believe climate change is a crisis. Compared with five years ago, that percentage was less than 25%. In a 2018 survey, 60% of surveyed consumers reported that it is important that the food they consume is produced in a sustainable manner, an increase from 50% in 2017. Two out of three Americans believe their communities are vulnerable to a water crisis and most of the public believes that significant and immediate investments in water infrastructure...