Lifestyle action on eco issues is more individualism

From discussion on collective wisdom paper. Illustration of d

Collective wisdom …

So if people are a little bit selfish, each will tend to indulge himself, and do damage to the earth that we all must share. And so we will all share a very damaged earth. It is admirable for us to cultivate such love of others that we’d act with no distinction between our welfare and that of all of nature, including humanity. It is foolish to bet our survival on this, and that is precisely what we do when we wait for individual choices to drive down emissions. This kind of situation is exactly why laws and rules are created, and can be beneficial, even in the most traditional societies. When we agree to a rule, we agree as a group that everybody will do the same or face consequences.

I am not saying that cutting down on one’s personal carbon footprint is a bad thing; it sets a good example by showing others that a low carbon life can be enjoyable. It also makes one a more credible communicator in a culture of individualism that will cling on to any reason to dismiss those who urge carbon neutrality. But it is not a workable solution to sharing our earth.

Comment from someone …

Perhaps some people think it is but serious lifestyle greens see that being the change you want to see in the world is something that influences. The action alone doe not change anything, as you have said. There is also the pleasures of a low carbon life, and the lab effect, doing the journey, find a path and leave breadcrumbs.

Response:

Could you elaborate a bit more? my understanding of the point is that individual action won't cut it on collective action problems. That seems unanswerable. Yes there can be some imitation / demonstrator effects but they seem minimal and still only useful on the path to a collective solution … (?)

NB: created date here is a bit vague. This was some time in 2020 …