this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2023
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I didn't mean it in a way to pass blame, but to empower.
If a billion people make an effort, then it certainly helps. It will require individual action AND systemic changes.
We really need an all hands on deck effort here. We are racing down a mountain towards a cliff with a buried speedometer. Individual action is removing our foot from the accelerator. Systemic action is applying the brakes. We might have to crash into the side of the mountain to avoid going over the edge, so let's try and slow down as much as we can first.
Consumers definitely share some of the blame for the demand, but the fools errand is expecting millions/billions of individuals to act in everyone else's best interest at detriment to their own immediate finances, quality of life, and standard of living.
Climate change is a tragedy of the commons that corporations have continuously exploited for financial gain (e.g. offshoring their most dangerous and pollutant processes to developing countries; out of reach of developed world democracies/regulations/voters).
Corporations will always bear most of the blame, as they have used their capital to engage in immoral, unethical, and downright criminal anti-democratic and psychological warfare tactics to maximize profit; the same as they have done for labour laws and everything else that benefits the collective (impacts profitability).
That is the problem. The immediate finances isn't true. A small car for commuting to work is cheaper than a giant SUV. Poultry is cheaper than beef. Having more money means less stress and an increased quality of life.
As far as quality of life goes, how are these heat waves, wildfires, and extreme weather events treating everyone? Soon enough, we will start seeing shortages of various things due to crop failures and shipping issues like we are seeing currently with the Panama canal.
Blaming corporations is exactly what corporations want. It means consumers can feel ok with more consumption, which is good for their bottom line.
Suburbia, one of the biggest culprits just isn't sustainable in its current form. It will take years to fix, but in the meantime let's all replace a few steaks with anything else. And stop buying monster trucks and canyoneros to commute to an office job.