Quite often, when you get in a discussion with a Warmist, they’ll blow off the question asking them what they are doing in their own lives, saying that we all need to do something, by which they mean government has to force everyone to comply. Things like this
Focusing on how individuals can stop climate change is very convenient for corporations
Sure, it’s morally good to reduce your footprint–but don’t let that deflect attention from who is really to blame.
What can be done to limit global warming to 1.5°C? A quick internet search offers a deluge of advice on how individuals can change their behavior. Take public transport instead of the car or, for longer journeys, the train rather than fly. Eat less meat and more vegetables, pulses and grains, and don’t forget to turn off the light when leaving a room or the water when shampooing. The implication here is that the impetus for addressing climate change is on individual consumers.
But can and should it really be the responsibility of individuals to limit global warming? On the face of it, we all contribute to global warming through the cumulative impact of our actions.
By changing consumption patterns on a large scale we might be able to influence companies to change their production patterns to more sustainable methods. Some experts have argued that everyone (or at least those who can afford it) has a responsibility to limit global warming, even if each individual action is insufficient in itself to make a difference.
I like the part about “those who can afford it.”
Yet there are at least two reasons why making it the duty of individuals to limit global warming is wrong.
INDIVIDUALS ARE STATISTICALLY BLAMELESS
Climate change is a planetary-scale threat and, as such, requires planetary-scale reforms that can only be implemented by the world’s governments. Individuals can at most be responsible for their own behavior, but governments have the power to implement legislation that compels industries and individuals to act sustainably.
Although the power of consumers is strong, it pales in comparison to that of international corporations, and only governments have the power to keep these interests in check.
(Lots more to this you should read)
GOVERNMENTS AND INDUSTRIES SHOULD LEAD
Rather than rely on appeals to individual virtue, what can be done to hold governments and industries accountable?
Governments have the power to enact legislation that could regulate industries to remain within sustainable emission limits and adhere to environmental protection standards. Companies should be compelled to purchase emissions rights–the profits from which can be used to aid climate-vulnerable communities.
(and lots more of this you need to read)
So, it is the companies which provide products and services people want and use who are at blame, not the people want those products and services. And only Government can stop this by force of legislation.
Funny how it always comes down to government force.
