Sure, that’s a valid question, and I also hope we can discuss this without making it a political debate.
Soviet-style command economies have certainly been disastrous for the environment; democratic socialist and social democratic parties in the West have had a better track record.
I’m personally interested in eco-socialism myself; the Green New Deal is a good example of balancing environmental and social justice needs, while the yellow vests movement, IMHO, partly highlights what happens when politicians try to impose ostensibly environmental tax increases at the expense of the average person.
I wasn’t trying to use capitalism as an excuse for not becoming vegan – I can’t speak for other non-vegans so I don’t know if others do make this excuse, and I apologize if I give that impression, I just mean I see an alignment between trying to be more ethical in my meat consumption and trying to reform the system. Both are necessary and individual behavior changes alone will not be enough, in my opinion.
This IQ2 debate appearance by George Monbiot makes the point on how capitalist economic growth won’t bring prosperity for all without ruining the environment better than I can express myself.
It is simply a matter of priorities to me. We should logically pursue the easiest changes that are going to have the most impact the most.
Committing to veganism is the single biggest step one can make to help the environment and animals. It’s just weird to me how people try or advocate to try to make political reforms before making a very simple change in their own diet.
Sure, political systems around the world certainly need some reform to reduce their impacts on the environment, however, I struggle to see how people who refuse to make basic changes in their diet are going to be able to overthrow a political system or, more realistically, make significant reforms and regulations to help the environment.
Sure, that’s a valid question, and I also hope we can discuss this without making it a political debate.
Soviet-style command economies have certainly been disastrous for the environment; democratic socialist and social democratic parties in the West have had a better track record.
I’m personally interested in eco-socialism myself; the Green New Deal is a good example of balancing environmental and social justice needs, while the yellow vests movement, IMHO, partly highlights what happens when politicians try to impose ostensibly environmental tax increases at the expense of the average person.
I wasn’t trying to use capitalism as an excuse for not becoming vegan – I can’t speak for other non-vegans so I don’t know if others do make this excuse, and I apologize if I give that impression, I just mean I see an alignment between trying to be more ethical in my meat consumption and trying to reform the system. Both are necessary and individual behavior changes alone will not be enough, in my opinion.
This IQ2 debate appearance by George Monbiot makes the point on how capitalist economic growth won’t bring prosperity for all without ruining the environment better than I can express myself.
It is simply a matter of priorities to me. We should logically pursue the easiest changes that are going to have the most impact the most.
Committing to veganism is the single biggest step one can make to help the environment and animals. It’s just weird to me how people try or advocate to try to make political reforms before making a very simple change in their own diet.
Sure, political systems around the world certainly need some reform to reduce their impacts on the environment, however, I struggle to see how people who refuse to make basic changes in their diet are going to be able to overthrow a political system or, more realistically, make significant reforms and regulations to help the environment.