I'm attracted to the idea that acting makes you feel better. But how do you take part in the economy, for instance, without adding to the catastrophe? How do you socialize without emitting carbon? I feel like I'd have to join some sort of cult if I were to both take care of my material and socializing needs, and live a carbon neutral lifestyle.
And then again, would I feel satisfied with a carbon neutral lifestyle? When there's a fire burning, is it enough to tell yourself you're not adding fuel to the fire? Shouldn't you take part in throwing water?
For a long time it felt good showing virtue. Right now panic is kicking in again and I have no idea how to handle it.
You can't fix this alone. You can't even lead by example and get results, because a sustainable lifestyle in terms of climate change essentially has you living under a bridge if you account for your share of infrastructure. Personal responsibility is just not going to be the solution, so we need to look elsewhere.
I need to clarify here that I agree with GP that taking personal action is empowering and can lead you down a virtuous path. I just think that the goal needs to be changing society, not changing your own life. So if you want to make a difference, you have to be part of society. You have to take part in the economy, even if that means you will personally directly contribute more to the problem than you would if you went full hermit in the woods. There's no simple solution, but if there is one at all, it has to involve a lot of people working together.
And then again, would I feel satisfied with a carbon neutral lifestyle? When there's a fire burning, is it enough to tell yourself you're not adding fuel to the fire? Shouldn't you take part in throwing water?
For a long time it felt good showing virtue. Right now panic is kicking in again and I have no idea how to handle it.