katanita Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> @uncleglen - I've been doing everything I can to
> reduce my carbon footprint over the last ten years
> or more. Weirdly, me taking personal
> responsibility for my carbon footprint doesn't
> seem to have solved this quite massive global
> issue
>
> Which brings me to @thecat. Correct! It is a
> global problem and the UK's part in causing it is
> relatively minor (but rather disproportionate all
> the same). Thank goodness then that XR is a global
> movement now, but one which has its origins in the
> UK, demonstrating nicely the way in which
> something started in one country can indeed have
> cascading effects throughout the world. Note that
> XR doesn't claim to be able to solve climate
> change. Rather, it has very specific demands
> which, if met, should bring about the awareness,
> clear objectives and democratic framework for real
> change to happen. For what precisely that change
> should be, it's over to the People's Assemblies
> and the work of experts such as those at Project
> Drawdown.
>
> The first goal is to get governments (and media)
> to tell the truth and I really don't see how you
> could argue that XR haven't made inroads here.
> Climate change is finally on the news and
> political agenda in a much bigger way than it has
> been in the past and Parliament did declare a
> climate emergency (just a start, but a start all
> the same). The second is to Act Now in agreeing to
> reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and
> stop destroying biodiversity. Got a long way to go
> here, but if one government can be persuaded to
> start acting on this basis, it should provide a
> useful model and potentially influence others to
> do the same. The third is to create Citizens
> Assemblies on climate change. This has begun to
> happen, isn't that good?
> [
news.camden.gov.uk]
> y-to-take-on-climate-crisis-challenge/.
>
> I fail to see how we can solve a global problem
> WITHOUT starting at home. Of course other
> countries are bigger polluters etc, but I have
> pretty much zero opportunity for influence in
> China or India, unless you have some suggestions
> for how to do this?? In the absence of a better
> answer, we will continue with the direct action
> and community outreach such as that happening this
> weekend. Loads of people signed up to be part of
> the movement at Blackheath after finding out more,
> which is great.
>
> FWIW, I have indeed moved my banking to the most
> ethical and environmentally friendly options I
> could find. Have also had discussions about this
> within XR, so your assumption is off-base. But as
> we know, personal choices are not enough, and it
> is implausible to expect most people to have the
> time, energy and resources to audit all of their
> life choices to make sure that they are doing the
> right thing (which is often very unclear anyway).
> Suggesting that people who don't do this just
> don't REALLY care is OTT and not in line with the
> XR no-blame and shame philosophy that recognises
> how hard this is, and the fact that the problem
> really needs to be tackled at a much higher level
> for anything to happen, as you yourself said.
>
> XR are not perfect by any means, but thank
> goodness someone is finally doing something. I
> highly recommend reading This is Not a Drill, the
> XR "handbook" which is really a collection of
> essays about where we are, and where we could be,
> and the latter is actually a really inspiring and
> positive vision of a better future. In fact, I'll
> send a copy to the first 4 people who PM me here,
> let me know if you want one.
There's a number of things within this comment I could take issue with, but in the interest of everyone's time, let's just agree to disagree then.
I remain unconvinced your direct action does much more than make you and other XR demonstraters feel warm and fuzzy about 'making a difference'. I'm sorry that this view is probably belittling to your efforts, for a cause which I also believe strongly in. But, remember the 'occupy' movement? They were BIG news about 10 years ago, remember how much 'awareness' they raised about inequality and rampant capitalism? As a result, they really changed the way the economy and society works didn't they?...oh that's right...No they didn't.
Without going into detail, I have a lot of experience in this field, and I'm pretty confident I know what gets things done and what doesn't. But that's my view, I could well be wrong. You have your view, and good luck to you with it.
Seemingly we both desire the same outcome, but just ddisagree on the more effective ways to achieve that.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit was august 30, 10:40pm by TheCat.