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> I’d almost wish Governments would do more to fight climate change Stop wishing. Go do something about it.

bamboozled 7y ago
What do you actually think I can do? I feel pretty helpless and confused right now about how much an individual can actually do and why so little is being done globally. Current things I do / have done are: - Attend rallies occasionally. - Divested most of my money where applicable. - Invest in energy companies and tech. - I went vegetarian for 2 years. I do eat meat again now, but not a great deal and mostly fish and chicken when I do. - Have not owned a car for about 2 years, I cycle and use public transport. - Fly less than once a year currently. I live abroad so sometimes I do need to go home to visit family. - Buy essential things like clothes from companies who do things sustainably such as Patagonia. Don't really buy junk. - Buy a monthly subscription to Climeworks. As an individual I can do my bit; But clearly there is a limited amount of things I can do. I can't force countries to stop burning coal for power generation for example, which let's be honest, is the real crux of the issue. When I catch public transport, it's usually backed by coal or diesel right now. What I don't get is this coal love affair that politicians can't seem to get over. We have so much to lose from climate change, including economically, so why do people love it so? It seems to be somewhat of an addiction. There seems to be a kind of "strength in denying" that older people enjoy to see in politicians. I don't really understand it but if this attitude changes, can be changed we'd instantly start on the correct path. I also don't understand why simple and more cheap counter measures aren't being implemented rapidly.For example, afforestation. Is this because it's an admission something is wrong so most Governments won't do that so there is no commitment in it? What is the actual the blocker here really? Corruption? Ignorance? Lobbying? We need to identify it and address it very quickly if we all want to survive and have a decent quality of life. This is why I have compassion for deniers, they don't really understand or want to admit how bad their lives will be. On a personal level, I'm between jobs now looking for new things. I'm optimistic about the transition to renewables happening. The renewable tech is moving so fast and becoming so cheap I can see more and more of the grid changing quickly, at least in the developed world (which isn't enough on it's own); However I'm a little surprised at how little is being done to remove existing Co2. This also needs to happen. I'm really considering how I can change my career to work on direct air capture tech or renewables even though this is far from my where my expertise lie as I'm in software.
- perfunctory 7y ago
  > I feel pretty helpless and confused If it helps, you are not alone. I felt helpless and frustrated for a long time myself. One thing that gives me hope at the moment is Extinction Rebellion. I realise it's not for everyone but I believe they are the best chance we have right now.
  - bamboozled 7y ago
    Thanks for getting back to me. In what way does Extinction Rebellion give you hope?
    - perfunctory 7y ago
      I begin to think that mass civil resistance movement is the only way to achieve deep structural social change. And deep structural changes is what we need to avert climate change. Think about historical precedents. Women suffrage, civil rights, anti-war movement, gay rights. None of these changes were initiated by the government. I also think XR is correct in saying that traditional methods of campaigning of the last 30 years have failed. It's time to try something new. Civil disobedience. A nice feature of these tactics is that you don't need the majority. Apparently it takes 3.5% of the population to take part in sustained active resistance to bring about radical change [0]. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w

What do you actually think I can do? I feel pretty helpless and confused right now about how much an individual can actually do and why so little is being done globally. Current things I do / have done are: - Attend rallies occasionally. - Divested most of my money where applicable. - Invest in energy companies and tech. - I went vegetarian for 2 years. I do eat meat again now, but not a great deal and mostly fish and chicken when I do. - Have not owned a car for about 2 years, I cycle and use public transport. - Fly less than once a year currently. I live abroad so sometimes I do need to go home to visit family. - Buy essential things like clothes from companies who do things sustainably such as Patagonia. Don't really buy junk. - Buy a monthly subscription to Climeworks. As an individual I can do my bit; But clearly there is a limited amount of things I can do. I can't force countries to stop burning coal for power generation for example, which let's be honest, is the real crux of the issue. When I catch public transport, it's usually backed by coal or diesel right now. What I don't get is this coal love affair that politicians can't seem to get over. We have so much to lose from climate change, including economically, so why do people love it so? It seems to be somewhat of an addiction. There seems to be a kind of "strength in denying" that older people enjoy to see in politicians. I don't really understand it but if this attitude changes, can be changed we'd instantly start on the correct path. I also don't understand why simple and more cheap counter measures aren't being implemented rapidly.For example, afforestation. Is this because it's an admission something is wrong so most Governments won't do that so there is no commitment in it? What is the actual the blocker here really? Corruption? Ignorance? Lobbying? We need to identify it and address it very quickly if we all want to survive and have a decent quality of life. This is why I have compassion for deniers, they don't really understand or want to admit how bad their lives will be. On a personal level, I'm between jobs now looking for new things. I'm optimistic about the transition to renewables happening. The renewable tech is moving so fast and becoming so cheap I can see more and more of the grid changing quickly, at least in the developed world (which isn't enough on it's own); However I'm a little surprised at how little is being done to remove existing Co2. This also needs to happen. I'm really considering how I can change my career to work on direct air capture tech or renewables even though this is far from my where my expertise lie as I'm in software.

perfunctory 7y ago
> I feel pretty helpless and confused If it helps, you are not alone. I felt helpless and frustrated for a long time myself. One thing that gives me hope at the moment is Extinction Rebellion. I realise it's not for everyone but I believe they are the best chance we have right now.
- bamboozled 7y ago
  Thanks for getting back to me. In what way does Extinction Rebellion give you hope?
  - perfunctory 7y ago
    I begin to think that mass civil resistance movement is the only way to achieve deep structural social change. And deep structural changes is what we need to avert climate change. Think about historical precedents. Women suffrage, civil rights, anti-war movement, gay rights. None of these changes were initiated by the government. I also think XR is correct in saying that traditional methods of campaigning of the last 30 years have failed. It's time to try something new. Civil disobedience. A nice feature of these tactics is that you don't need the majority. Apparently it takes 3.5% of the population to take part in sustained active resistance to bring about radical change [0]. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w