4 ms·

A different environmentalist worldview that I was raised with (as one of four kids of environmentalist parents): Kids raised with an environmental mindset will

A different environmentalist worldview that I was raised with (as one of four kids of environmentalist parents): Kids raised with an environmental mindset will have a larger positive impact than having fewer or no children. Their impact will outweigh their environmental footprint.

tenacious_tuna 6y ago
I’m curious how the logic works for that. I’ve always assumed that there’s effectively no way for an individual human to net-negative their own emissions/energy consumption/whatnot, just because of the sheer amount of material they need/use/consume (at least, in a Western society). A few outliers (Greta Thornberg?) may be able to effect sufficient policy to counteract their own environmental impact, but in the general case I don’t see how raising a kid with a strongly environmental-conscious mindset is at all better than just... not having a kid.
- nathancahill 6y ago
  I've given a lot of thought to this. Here's a few points I think about: 0. Your own environmental impact is significantly reduced, so the baseline to "counteract" is lower than "Western society". 1. Change happens incrementally. Moving the needle in small ways slowly changes the big picture. Greta is moving the needle in big ways within her lifetime, but like you say, that's not the norm. 2. Raising awareness and leading by example can have an outsized impact in your community. 3. Voting and other political involvement (won't turn this political, but every vote matters, especially for local issues that might be decided by 50-100 votes). 4. Supporting companies that align with your values. Consider the total dollar spend of an individual over the course of their life. 5. Charitable giving. Tons of great work is being done around the world by non-profits. Even if you don't pursue a career in non-profit work, donating is tax deductible and goes a long way. 6. Raising your own children with a similar mindset.
  - nitrogen 6y ago
    7. Inventing and supporting new sources of energy, materials, and efficiency.

tenacious_tuna 6y ago

I’m curious how the logic works for that. I’ve always assumed that there’s effectively no way for an individual human to net-negative their own emissions/energy consumption/whatnot, just because of the sheer amount of material they need/use/consume (at least, in a Western society). A few outliers (Greta Thornberg?) may be able to effect sufficient policy to counteract their own environmental impact, but in the general case I don’t see how raising a kid with a strongly environmental-conscious mindset is at all better than just... not having a kid.

nathancahill 6y ago
I've given a lot of thought to this. Here's a few points I think about: 0. Your own environmental impact is significantly reduced, so the baseline to "counteract" is lower than "Western society". 1. Change happens incrementally. Moving the needle in small ways slowly changes the big picture. Greta is moving the needle in big ways within her lifetime, but like you say, that's not the norm. 2. Raising awareness and leading by example can have an outsized impact in your community. 3. Voting and other political involvement (won't turn this political, but every vote matters, especially for local issues that might be decided by 50-100 votes). 4. Supporting companies that align with your values. Consider the total dollar spend of an individual over the course of their life. 5. Charitable giving. Tons of great work is being done around the world by non-profits. Even if you don't pursue a career in non-profit work, donating is tax deductible and goes a long way. 6. Raising your own children with a similar mindset.
- nitrogen 6y ago
  7. Inventing and supporting new sources of energy, materials, and efficiency.