Are we too obsessed with our personal carbon footprints? | FT Rethink

The conversation around climate action is often dominated by intense debates around personal behaviour. But according to the FT’s Simon Mundy, the danger is that these debates could crowd out some more important questions, and he argues that perhaps it’s time for all of us to start thinking about ourselves a little bit less as consumers and a little bit more as citizens.

#carbonfootprint #climatechange


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[lindaj]

So instead of politicians telling us how to reduce carbon emissions, we should be telling politicians what policies and rules to implement? What exactly are those policies and rules? Waiting for elections is too slow.

[meister-t]

China made a choice of burning coal, building new coal-fired power plants at the rate of 3 per month. They are now responsible for 60% of global carbon emissions. India, despite producing much less for us, is at 17%, as coal is also their primary source. If you really want to do something concrete for the environment, each time you have a choice, choose the product that was NOT made in China. Companies needing to compete will eventually get it, and start a migration to outsourcing to countries where they don't use coal, or oil, as their main energy source. All this publicity about China doing green stuff is less than one percent, and but a veil over a dirty reality.

[mastersinr]

are you saying gluing myself to a wall in front of a painting wont stop global warming?

[dinmavric]

Mofos driving around in cars, buying electric cars, all while calling themselves environmentalists 🤡

[stephaniethompson]

If people collectively change behaviours that reflect issues, as such movements grow and become visible, commerce and politicians start to listen and eventually act. Example is gun law. Speaker is not a very deep thinker regarding societal psychology.

[CapitalismInspired]

I an certainly not. I’ve a huge one personally, so much leisure travel and in upper cabins.

[classlessmass]

I don't necessarily agree with this video. I don't think anyone stopped eating meat in the pandemic? I have decided not to fly if I can avoid it from this year. I just don't think I can claim to be worried about the climate if I fly every summer, not that I have the money anyways.

[adel]

Yeah, the sky is falling. While purchasing the latest tech, coffee, shoes, make up etc...

[patriciapalmer]

Countries at war, famine in the 3rd world, monetary crisises throughout the globe and this crap ? My carbon footprint is none of my business .

[Boo-pvhn]

The reality is altho, in moderation our own impact on the earth we should be aware of, we cannot change the majority of the negative effects with out power, with out status. Sadly that is where most of the decisions lie. That being said this isn’t an excuse to exempt individuals of our own part in this after all with out the will of the people, there would be nothing, nothing of value to an item of clothing, a fruit or vegetable and so on, it’s only due to the demand of so many that these things can flourish, together we stand divided we fall, there’s truth in it.

[YOLOMarkus]

i could not care less about carbon footprint, need to start selling certificates

[Mojo-IRE]

Yes normal people actually don't care about their personal carbon footprint at all lol.

[JudgeDredd_]

I just read an article explaining how the flight for Elon from San Jose to Qatar was more than 9.5 Americans will make in a year, not counting his flight back. Basically we’re all screwed is what I took from that. Personal consumption cutting won’t do anything. Fairly sure we’re irreversible.

[nickynada-btc]

I never once thought about my "carbon footprint" and lol at people that do.

They got you think you and your families are some carbon producing monsters.

[TubesAXk]

It's more fundamental - we need to rethink our zoning restrictions and get away from suburban sprawl and live more similarly to how we lived in the days before automobiles - walkable towns and neighborhoods with local shops nearby, employment within walking distance or a short car ride (or better yet, working from home, which is what most people did in the Victorian days and earlier - family farming, or tending a shop while living in the floors above it, etc., etc.). This would reduce not just carbon emissions but also commuter traffic backup and road wear. It is the act of commuting from suburbs that is "new" to our human experience. We also focus a lot on automobiles and aircraft as the sources of carbon emissions and fuel usage but I think I read somewhere that fully 1/3 of our energy usage is used in heating our buildings. So mandating greater insulation values might help there. Or in lieu of that (this will not be popular) raise the price of heating oil or electricity and businesses will start insulating their buildings more. The price of building materials may also have to rise a bit to reduce the use of materials that are more polluting or carbon intensive. I work from home and I'm quite lucky in that sense, but I think that getting more cars off the roads by promoting working from home or promoting small home businesses is the right way to go.

[jaymills]

😂 financial outlet that benefits from carbon footprints says “don’t worry”.

[jeanlefranc]

Let’s just open our eyes for a minute. The last time mankind lived in a sustainable economy was when Napoleon Bonaparte was a French Emperor. And world population was around one billion.

We are now eight billion and counting, with most aspiring to a more comfortable lifestyle. Which means unbelievable quantities of energy

This simply cannot end well and, yes, mankind is doomed. It’s just obvious.

[marianasalles]

Not having children and become vegam👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[chrissscottt]

If you're concerned about climate change then being aware of your carbon footprint is pretty important if you want to take personal responsibility for your actions. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise even if their pitch is more appealing.

[Mivoat]

Excellent point been made here. I’d recommend citizens climate lobby as an organisation to join and participate in making a difference. But I fear it may be too late even for them now. It’s time for experts to get behind innovative proposals such as marine cloud brightening, which could directly cool the oceans, and particularly the Arctic. This would only be a stopgap, until emissions can be reduced and carbon drawn down from the atmosphere, but some campaigning by young people might actually lead to some much needed research funding, to provide the direct cooling now urgently needed.