With more than 7 billion people on the planet, we need to cooperate. I don’t believe we are continuing to ruin the biosphere because we are evil. I am convinced we are doing it because we are not fully informed of the consequences of our actions. And this is very hopeful to me, because I believe that once we know we will change.
The problem is not the people. It is what we do. But of course it is more difficult to live sustainably with more people on the planet. But these solutions can never be discussed on a personal level – it must be handled on a global level. If we are to control the number of people on Earth then I guess we must start with the high emitters. This debate would take decades and leave no space to solve other problems. It’s simply too big for us individuals. In my experience, the “we are too many people” argument is used as an excuse for not taking action ourselves.
Greta Thunberg
I'm not sure I agree with her assessment that if we knew the full consequences of our actions we would change. I think that too many of us are simply in denial of what we know. As to the rest- yes, I think she's right. We have to deal with the facts as they are.
ReplyDeleteMy niece moved in with us. Following her lead, our household has reduced its carbon footprint considerably. Young people may yet save us.
ReplyDeleteshe's young and still naive. fact is people DO know and they just don't care. it's why we are in this situation in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is, we ARE too many people. And yes, the high emitters must change their habits and that will have a disproportionate effect on warming -- but humans also have to learn how to control their numbers, hopefully in more thoughtful and organized ways than fighting wars.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad she's hopeful that people will change once they have information. I'm not sure that's true, sadly.