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Very disappointed to see so much negativity in the replies. Just wanted to add two things. Richest 10% are responsible for half of global carbon emissions [0].

Very disappointed to see so much negativity in the replies. Just wanted to add two things. Richest 10% are responsible for half of global carbon emissions [0]. I would guess many HN readers belong to top 10%. So what we do matters. Another good news, apparently takes only 3.5% of the population to take an active stance on something to cause a change [1] So, don't despair. If you are already started reducing your consumption - it matters. If you haven't - it's never late to start, especially if you are rich (relatively). And of course individual action is not mutually exclusive with lobbying politicians. [0] https://www-cdn.oxfam.org/s3fs-public/file_attachments/mb-extreme-carbon-inequality-021215-en.pdf https://www-cdn.oxfam.org/s3fs-public/file_attachments/mb-ex... [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=YJSehRlU34w https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=YJSehRlU34w

elbasti 7y ago
> it's never late to start, especially if you are rich (relatively). It is. It's too late to start. In the immortal words of Magnus Carlsen, Too weak, too slow.
ageofwant 7y ago
The only reason you don't despair is because you do not truly believe what the future holds. At a fundamental level you believe this is all bullshit. And with you, I of course mean us, us generally. We have various religious groups committing terrorist acts on those they believe to be their enemies. I see no evidence that the same level of 'faith' being present in any significant segment of the population. I cannot express it more eloquently than this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcw-9UBFNWE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcw-9UBFNWE
- icebraining 7y ago
  Did you really mean to link to "Milkweed Pollination for the Lewd & Crude"? I can't say I understand the connection.
jellicle 7y ago
> If you are already started reducing your consumption - it matters. It sure doesn't. One person's consumption, no matter how extravagant, doesn't matter even the tiniest tiniest bit. The only solution is massive, concerted, governmental action.
- lm28469 7y ago
  > One person's consumption doesn't matter Just like one car doesn't pollute... How did we end up in this situation if it isn't an accumulation of individual actions? Of course individual actions matter, not necessarily because of their direct impact but because of the snowball effect. Look at how green parties started 60 years ago, it was hippies and nut jobs, today they make 10-25% of votes in EU elections.

elbasti 7y ago

> it's never late to start, especially if you are rich (relatively). It is. It's too late to start. In the immortal words of Magnus Carlsen, Too weak, too slow.

ageofwant 7y ago

The only reason you don't despair is because you do not truly believe what the future holds. At a fundamental level you believe this is all bullshit. And with you, I of course mean us, us generally. We have various religious groups committing terrorist acts on those they believe to be their enemies. I see no evidence that the same level of 'faith' being present in any significant segment of the population. I cannot express it more eloquently than this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcw-9UBFNWE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcw-9UBFNWE

icebraining 7y ago
Did you really mean to link to "Milkweed Pollination for the Lewd & Crude"? I can't say I understand the connection.

jellicle 7y ago

> If you are already started reducing your consumption - it matters. It sure doesn't. One person's consumption, no matter how extravagant, doesn't matter even the tiniest tiniest bit. The only solution is massive, concerted, governmental action.

lm28469 7y ago
> One person's consumption doesn't matter Just like one car doesn't pollute... How did we end up in this situation if it isn't an accumulation of individual actions? Of course individual actions matter, not necessarily because of their direct impact but because of the snowball effect. Look at how green parties started 60 years ago, it was hippies and nut jobs, today they make 10-25% of votes in EU elections.