COMMENT: Climate crisis– why aren't bigger C02 emitting products stopped?
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The recent letter in the Ross-shire Journal ("Is there really a climate crisis?") asks why aren't bigger CO2 emitting products being stopped while we're being asked to cut smaller emissions.
Good question!
The simple answer is that we – as individuals – can only tinker at the edges of climate change, because individuals do not have the wealth and power. The richest 1 per cent of the world create more climate damage than the poorest 50 per cent; and the rich and powerful have created power systems that are designed to make THEM richer and money systems that REQUIRE endless growth and the creation of debt; and they will keep doing all they can to hold onto their wealth and power.
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On the one hand, it is always worthwhile for each of us to do individually what we can, but without making power and money systems work for most people, there cannot be any real slowing down of the damage to climate, biodiversity, food supplies, human societies etc.
It also suits the rich and powerful that we as individuals are made to feel bad about what we're not doing; but the game is rigged, so we should not feel bad.But we can focus on building local networks that retain power and money in our communities, with ventures like the Highland Good Food Partnership, the Black Isle Repair Cafes, community markets, local food and drink producers, local shops and so on which are about valuing what we HAVE and keeping money (and jobs and pride) in our communities, rather than being made to feel (by consumer capitalism) that we are inadequate unless we keep buying more stuff. Much of the damage is already done. We can choose to go forward as strong, compassionate communities, or we can be turned towards fear and blame by those who have the most to lose.
Anne Thomas
Co-convenor
Highlands and Islands Green Party
Drumsmittal Park,
Drumsmittal
North Kessock
