Soaring temperatures. Unusually hot oceans. Record high levels of carbon pollution in the atmosphere and record low Antarctic ice. We’re only halfway through 2023 and so many climate records are being broken.

  • CMahaff@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I think expecting each person to trace the incredibly complex chains of businesses and processes that result in every product they buy is unrealistic. Sure, some stuff is obvious, but plenty is not.

    It reminds of of an episode of the Good Place where an angel buys a tomato at the supermarket and inadvertently commits like 14 sins due to the deep chains of unethical practices that brought the tomatoes to the store - which of course no one could possibly know when they picked it up.

    IMO corporations aren’t going to self-regulate and consumers arent going to do 2 hours of research on everything the buy - it’s supposed to be the governments job to spend the time identifying pollution sources and regulating them away - but with regulatory capture and corruption that doesn’t usually happen either.

    • cykablyatbot@lemmy.fmhy.ml
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      1 year ago

      You don’t have to trace shit to know fast food, fast fashion, and cruise lines are unsustainable. It is obvious we are producing more emissions when we fly for vacation, buy huge trucks and SUVs we don’t need.
      Much of what we need to do is both obvious and easy because it merely involves us NOT buying things.
      And most of the worst stuff like fast food, fast fashion, huge vehicles, and excessive meat consumption don’t do anything to sustain a higher quality of life. Many of them reduce it.

    • Sem
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      1 year ago

      the governments job

      I do not believe that government can do something good. Of course the idea of regulation is good by itself but due to corruption and inefficiency of any government structure result will be more likely opposite (yes, I’m an anarchist and believe that only self-regulation may work).

      to trace the incredibly complex chains of businesses and processes

      Today it is easier than one may think: a lot of certifications and information from non-profit organization. A lot of mobile apps and sites that allow you to check how green the product is. The only missing part is request from customers side. And until we do not have such request, IMO, nothing will change.