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Comment by hashberry | Hacker News Reader

Why is the working class responsible for fighting climate change? Why must Hollywood "challenge audiences to change their ways"? Especially when China is building 300-500 new coal plants?[0][1]

Actually, as individual consumers, the best way one can lower one's carbon footprint is to not spend money. Don't buy the brand new cars product placed in films. Don't drive to the theater, wait until the movie can be streamed. And don't buy candy or soda or beer in theaters. Use as little resources as possible.

[0] https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2019/03/28/china-new-coal-p... [1] https://www.npr.org/2019/04/29/716347646/why-is-china-placin...

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> Especially when China is building 300-500 new coal plants?

China is also building a ton of renewable energy. They're building a ton of everything and "India and China are doing X" isn't a reason for others to do nothing.

> Actually, as individual consumers, the best way one can lower one's carbon footprint is to not spend money.

I can't upvote this enough. This is the best way for individual consumers to make a difference.

> This is the best way for individual consumers to make a difference.

Disagree strongly. Individuals cannot solve this on their own, it can only be solved at the national and international level. This means voting and ensuring that politicians know that your vote rides on their action: letter writing, protests, et cetera. And of course politicians won't do anything until such intentions are widespread, so this means grass-roots movements.

I'm not advocating selective boycotts of things or companies that are bad actors - those are not effective. I'm also not saying it's the best way for individual citizens to make a difference. Obviously laws are better because of the tragedy of the commons/prisoner's dilemma nature of the problem. Whoever pollutes will outcompete whoever does not because (currently) it's cheaper to pollute than to not.

I was saying that the best way to make a difference as a consumer is to be less of a consumer. Most people in developed countries buy way too much shit. Changing that is a win for the individual (more money in your pocket) and the environment. And doing this does not preclude pressuring your elected representatives for broader change.

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