Sure, but what you “get done” on your own is statistically irrelevant. To achieve useful, measurable success in the fight against climate change, collective action must be taken at scale. That’s government.
I don’t think the comment is saying the government working towards climate action is bad… It’s saying that the government currently is doing so poorly that it’s worse than something that’s statistically irrelevant.
That depends on the government you have, doesn’t it? Billionaires and big corporations are responsible for most emissions, there’s only so much you can do against that as a private individual, especially if your government is actively working against you (which also implies that most private individuals probably don’t give a fuck about climate protection).
People PAY the billionaires for those emissions. People want electricity and cars and phones made in China and meat.
Your individual carbon footprint is meaningless, because you’re just one person, and solving the climate crisis requires everyone to do the right thing.
The government is useful because if enough people agree, they can force the other people to do the right thing. They can make the wrong thing illegal.
And after that’s happened, when the government has put in the laws to stop anyone from driving a car or eating meat… You’re still gonna have to be carfree and vegan.
Might as well get started now. That’s what all the smart people are doing.
