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That’s kind of what I was driving at—there is a need for good clear communication regarding what to do about climate change. Maybe you feel like there is a clea

That’s kind of what I was driving at—there is a need for good clear communication regarding what to do about climate change. Maybe you feel like there is a clear channel to you—I don’t, and I’m guessing that’s true for most Americans. Maybe I’m just thick skulled, but it’s hard for me to determine what things are bonafide and what things are environmental fashion (do I need to eat organic? Vegan? Do I need to stop using plastic straws? Etc). I’m guessing that I’m more tuned into science journalism than the average American, and I couldn’t give a ballpark estimate as to the carbon savings various initiatives and lifestyle choices would afford.

pjc50 7y ago
The big things need to be system-wide changes through the political system. Individual action isn't going to be enough. Vote for people with serious green policies.
- danaris 7y ago
  This is largely the filter I use. Banning plastic straws (for instance) does very little to solve the overall problem—the majority of the plastic in the oceans is commercial fishing nets—and does actually have significant negative impacts on some people with particular kinds of disabilities. Using less water, eating vegan, all the individual-level things you can do are not worthless, but they are vastly overshadowed by the harm done by large corporations with an overdeveloped interest in profit and underdeveloped scruples. There are certain individual-level measures that, if our whole society decided to adopt them, would be beneficial, and others that are beneficial (at least long-term) to the individuals who can adopt them, and also have small positive effects for the environment. Rooftop solar is, for many, in the latter category. I believe my parents expect theirs to have fully paid for its installation (3-4 years ago) within the next year or two, and get several more years of useful life out of it, despite living in the US Northeast (winters aren't nearly as detrimental to their effect as is often suggested).

pjc50 7y ago

The big things need to be system-wide changes through the political system. Individual action isn't going to be enough. Vote for people with serious green policies.

danaris 7y ago
This is largely the filter I use. Banning plastic straws (for instance) does very little to solve the overall problem—the majority of the plastic in the oceans is commercial fishing nets—and does actually have significant negative impacts on some people with particular kinds of disabilities. Using less water, eating vegan, all the individual-level things you can do are not worthless, but they are vastly overshadowed by the harm done by large corporations with an overdeveloped interest in profit and underdeveloped scruples. There are certain individual-level measures that, if our whole society decided to adopt them, would be beneficial, and others that are beneficial (at least long-term) to the individuals who can adopt them, and also have small positive effects for the environment. Rooftop solar is, for many, in the latter category. I believe my parents expect theirs to have fully paid for its installation (3-4 years ago) within the next year or two, and get several more years of useful life out of it, despite living in the US Northeast (winters aren't nearly as detrimental to their effect as is often suggested).