Re:Climate Change is real and you can prevent it. Be the change
by shawnb576 on Wednesday July 10, 2019 @01:56PM
(#20404530)
No, that's clearly not what I'm saying. I'm not arguing that people shouldn't do these things, I'm arguing that we should be clear about what they actually accomplish. I do all of these things, but I don't kid myself that it's making a lick of difference, because it's not.
The individual action idea is dangerous because it:
- Blames the victims. This problem is being caused by fossil-fuel companies and the policies that support them. We must stop them from emitting and from poisoning the public dialog on these issues
- It's classist and priveledged. Only rich people have these kinds of choices - poor people can't always make these kinds of choices in their lives.
The only solution is massive collective action that drives us towards a net-negative world.
I'd rather have somebody drive a Yukon and vote for people who will put in a Green New Deal than someone who eats vegan and votes for Jill Stein.
- Do you need the government to start issuing flight hour quotas before you start flying less? - Do you need the government to ban short flights before you start using alternative transport methods more? - Do you need the government to impose a high meat tax before you start consuming less?
You can do both, you can start doing your part AND push for political action. Saying "this is meaningless" is just a justification to not do anything yourself and put the blame on someone else. An excuse for inactivity.