StephenMay 18, 2024
Talked to a very smart person this afternoon who reminded me: climate fatalism ("it's too late") is a soft form of denialism.

Everything we do from here is worthwhile. It counts, it makes a difference. No matter what damage has been done, we can still make things better than if we had done nothing. We can still look after the world, look after our friends and family. Action has results.
Show threadAndrew Bartlett

@stephen These little things make me smile, because they help the local situation. Making changes with good local impacts is a key defense to the 'drop in the bucket' fatalism.

Fenceposts: Futurepost and the soft plastics scheme would likely not have started without passionate individuals making this an issue that could not just be ignored. Another firm reworks broken tall vineyard fenceposts into short posts for other farms, made economic because burning them is no longer accepted.

May 18, 2024 at 9:27pmWeb
Show threadAndrew BartlettMay 18, 2024

@stephen I breathe easier on my bike because passionate folks made it clear to council that replacements for the trolley buses had to be electric.

Each time I ride my bike I undercut the excuses for more roads, make it obvious that good cycle infrastructure is wanted and used, save money, improve my health and have a better day.

I make a tiny but measurable difference to the world, mostly because I make it easier for the next person.

2nd order impacts dominate: Actions have real impact.

Show threadAndrew BartlettMay 18, 2024

@stephen Australia is debating not if coal fired power plants should shut down but only when because a generation of pensioners (in particular) installed solar panels so prolifically that they make the power demand drop so sharply mid day that they can't compete.

The mass rooftop installation then encouraged mass solar farms (that often employ sheep to keep the grass down). The individual actions gave "the market" confidence that this this could work, for producers, installers and networks.

Show threadAndrew BartlettMay 18, 2024

@stephen Naturally there is great benefit to regulations also, but these only survive if individuals have built up support.

I no longer pick plastic shopping bags out of the seaside vegetation because individuals made that unacceptable and a ban was passed and (touch wood) not repealed despite a drastically different government taking power.