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Agreed. I spent some time making a calculator [0] to help me understand what matters when it comes to energy consumption. This made it very clear that by far
by RobinL 7y ago
Agreed. I spent some time making a calculator [0] to help me understand what matters when it comes to energy consumption. This made it very clear that by far the best way most consumers can make a difference is just to stop buying stuff. In the west we get away with 'low'(er) emissions because we import a huge amount of CO2 though imported goods - maps of total energy consumption are quite interesting here [1]
Stopping buying stuff is hard for most people, and I think the key is to stop _wanting_ stuff. Sadly I think consumption-driven society is incredibly deeply ingrained. I mean, most people seem to devote large proportions of their life pursuing unnecessary luxury goods. This is the mindset that needs to change - and particularly be reversed as we bring up the next generation. A fundamental shift is needed in what people are 'pursuing'.
[0] https://robinlinacre.com/energy-usage https://robinlinacre.com/energy-usage
[1] https://observablehq.com/@robinl/energy-usage-and-goods-imports-and-exports https://observablehq.com/@robinl/energy-usage-and-goods-impo...
- distances 7y agoNice calculator. What's assumed as energy source for warm water of it's not part of the electricity consumption?
- RobinL 7y agoGas - which is typical for a UK household. In fact most of the calculator is based implicitly on UK norms.
- KozmoNau7 7y agoBreaking the constant want for new things is going to be hard. I know people who basically define themselves by their consumerism, some of them even fully believing that we can somehow consume ourselves out of this climate crisis. I do try to argue that we should reduce our consumption and buy much fewer, but much higher quality items, which we repair and maintain for a long time, instead of throwing them out and buying a completely new thing. But I am constantly met with arguments that "no consumption means no growth, and no growth means no life and no progress" and similar arguments. These people have really entrenched themselves in consuming more and more all the time.