Can YOU Fix Climate Change? No, But You Can Do Something Better
The truth about global warming
As the old saying goes, “you can’t save the world alone.” And it’s true! We need to work together to fix rapid climate change! But even if every single middle-class and lower-class person in America did their part, it wouldn’t be enough.
That’s because the root of the problem isn’t with regular people like you and me; it’s with big businesses and wealthy classes who refuse to cut back on their own emissions.
No matter how you slice it the average person cannot stop climate change even if you bought an electric car, swore off meat, and lived amongst the Amish. The narrative of “You, the average American is most responsible” is overplayed and untrue. Even if you were to have zero emissions for the rest of your life, you would only save one second of emissions from the global energy sector.
Doing that would only change one thing: You personally would use up fewer resources while elites like Charles Schwab or Bill Gates continue to fly in their private jets and buy up beachfront properties.
So, what can we do?
How to Make a Real Impact Against Climate Change
Asking average people to prevent climate change is one of the most cynical and selfish things our politicians and elites have ever done.
You shouldn’t be publicly shamed because you can’t afford an electric car or electric appliances.
In fact, during the height of the pandemic when everyone was at home and consuming less, CO2 emissions were only reduced by 7% for 2020. This isn’t to say that we should all act like pigs destroying the environment as we please. It’s true that a personal contribution will help steer the necessary systemic change.
However, the real key to saving the climate isn’t arguing with your neighbor who won’t buy a Tesla, it’s addressing the systemic issues that our poisoning Mother Earth as we speak.
These are the rich populations who can make sanctimonious eco-friendly speeches but continue to drive Gulfstream G650 private jets (i.e. Leonardo Dicaprio, Bill Gates, Mark Cuban); and it’s voting in politicians who respect science and it’s holding these people accountable!
Vote With Your Wallet
Banning plastic straws and handing over EV credits just make good headlines; they don’t invoke a systemic change.
This is why we need less virtue signaling and more action from our leaders!
We need politicians who focus on Carbon Capture technology even if it isn’t economically viable. And we need elected officials who aren’t so much concerned with their follower count on Twitter but will instead fight for more sustainable policies that don’t put profits and economics over the environment.
We also need to be clever with how America spends its money globally. The vast majority of Fortune 500 companies work with China in some meaningful way and also import many of their materials from there. When something is made in China the chances are high that it was made in an environmentally destructive way. So it’s no good that China is the leading supplier for every import category for the United States including:
- Machinery & Electrical: 24% of U.S. imports from China
- Miscellaneous: 19%
- Metals: 10%
- Textiles: 8%
- Plastics/Rubbers: 7%
Lastly, we need to demand that politicians focus on the environmental impact of the construction sector as modern-day roads and cement are two of the most destructive elements to the climate. It’s not a sexy part of the issue to focus on, but it’s necessary!
It’s not easy, but it is possible. We just need to be clever about all of this and vote not only at the ballot box but with our wallets because American companies only survive based on whom WE support!
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
If the way we’ve collectively handled the pandemic is anything to go by, there shouldn’t be high hopes for how we’re going to fix this.
However, what we really need to beat into the heads of these corporations is that “environmentalism” doesn’t equal “Destroying the Western economy, lowering the quality of life for the western world, and letting China run free.”
Renewable energy sources should be able to compete in the free market without the American corporate machine subsidizing gas and protecting the “Petrol Dollar”. As soon as the energy market becomes actually free and competitive, without our entire economy relying on Saudi Arabia and the success of the Petrol Dollar, the world will inevitably shift towards the cheaper, more portable, sustainable, and free energy source.
This is where you come in. Yes, YOU! We still need to “do our part” and demand greener solutions as that will inevitably shift our economy towards them.
Sure, your individual impact on the climate might be negligible but supporting green technologies and companies like Tesla, Solar City, and Whole Foods will only help hasten this change.
Just remember, it’s not about shaming people into giving up their lifestyles, it’s about making the more environmentally friendly choice easier and more affordable in the long run!
Final Thoughts
Don’t fall for the sanctimonious stuff when committing to saving the climate. It’s easy to fall in love with yourself and hate your neighbor but that’s exactly what elites want us to do while they continue to fly in private jets and pollute the planet most.
Rapid climate change is an existential issue, but it will be used as a way to convince average people to have less freedom and less economic opportunity. Meanwhile, a small group of people (the 1%) won’t be asked to sacrifice anything.
We need to focus on the real solutions to climate change and not get distracted by tribal arguments that don’t actually solve anything!
We can fix this but it’s going to take a lot of work from all of us!
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