Personal Choices Aren’t Enough
April 29th, 2008 by AndrewEven the homeless have large carbon footprints, says New Scientist, referring to an MIT study. Regardless of lifestyle choices, it is almost impossible for any North American to sufficiently reduce their carbon footprints, simply because they still take advantage of the tremendous amount of energy embodied in our infrastructure. While most of us have probably realized this by now, the study will come as a blow to those who are still convinced that we can consume our way out of the our environmental crisis, as long as we buy the right things.
Even if everyone on the continent became an urban high-rise condo-living, bike-riding, vegetarian hippie, we’d still be in trouble without sweeping changes to the macro-systems that support us. As much as people hate regulations, they must inevitably be a crucial part of any realistic solution.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:10 am
People don’t really hate regulations, they just like they idea of hating them. After all, there’s plenty of things that they’re pretty happy that are regulated (ie. leaded gasoline and house paint, asbestos insulation, CFCs), not to mention the myriad laws that keep the system running as it does. And, if the general population’s silence is anything to go by, they don’t really mind the regulations that are being placed on our privacy, freedom of movement, and whatever else. Though I sure as hell do.
Of course, the illusion that one’s “choices” are being taken away is an extremely potent one, as is the illusion that tax dollars (when spent even remotely wisely) aren’t actually an important part of a functioning state…