this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2023
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Climate - truthful information about climate, related activism and politics.
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Discussion of climate, how it is changing, activism around that, the politics, and the energy systems change we need in order to stabilize things.
As a starting point, the burning of fossil fuels, and to a lesser extent deforestation and release of methane are responsible for the warming in recent decades:
How much each change to the atmosphere has warmed the world:
Recommended actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the near future:
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I kinda agree with some points but overall this feels awfully close to the neoliberal idea that you can ascribe personal responsibility to a systematic problem. The great bulk of climate change is not being driven by your neighbors, but by the usual companies, which can afford to line the pockets of politicians to stay unpunished.
I'd also add a big asterisk on point 4: direct action! The solarpunk vision is built on anarchist ideals; If you're in a situation where you can afford to, work together with like-minded individuals to bring the change you want. There's no need to wait for some boomer politician to consider how doing or not doing something will affect their career. Sometimes asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission.
There's a difference between those in control of the system assigning blame to the peasants to avoid consequence, and owning your own share of responsobility.
If you drive or otherwise consume oil and you don't have to, you are at fault -- but so is Shell for digging it up and destroying the tram. You are also at fault for giving them money, but so is Chevron for using that money to bribe the government.
Owning your personal contribution, minimizing it, and more importantly, showing others how is praxis.
Buying oil is a form of direct action helping the fossil fuel industry. So is driving because you make being outside a car just a little more unpleasant and dangerous. Buying a big car is even worse.
The only myth worse than your carbon footprint being the only thing that matters, is the idea it doesn't matter and some nebulous "them" needs to fix it.
Totally. Let's change the world, and be the change we want to see in the world. And of course, understanding the complex sociological problems that lead people to not be able to afford Eco-friendly solutions while looking for ways to make that change possible. 🤗 Direct action is the way to go, voting is more of a "support" tool to kinda move the needle.
my feelings exactly, why even bring up political action in the context of something so urgent without emphasizing direct action and bottom-up political organization