Quote:
Originally Posted by stampsx2
Because if we're truly concerned about damage being done to the planet then we need to focus on where the problem really lies. All we do in Canada is make a 0.1% change and feel really good about ourselves that we're really helping the planet.
You can tell 2 people in a bar to stop smoking but what's the point when there's 24 others that will continue doing it and are increasing the amount they smoke.
If we really care about climate change and the planet then do something about it instead of feeling good about ourselves cause we have a carbon tax and a green bin now.
To answer your point, yes, who cares about the people going 2km/h over the speed limit when there's people going 24km/h over.
I don't believe china will follow our example but they may skew the numbers a little more.
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The point is you can't tell ANYONE in the bar to stop smoking if you still are. Even if you smoke 1 cigarette in the time that they smoke 20, you're contributing and it all needs to stop. You can stop and tell others too, and they may listen or they may not, but at least you can say you're doing what you can.
China (and India)'s whole thing is about how we in the West have enjoyed these comforts at the expense of the environment for generations, whereas they are just catching up now. They feel they deserve their time with industrialization and 1st World comforts. When we are just realizing now the detriment that our lifestyles has had over this time. IMO, it's up to us (and the US, and the UK, and and and) to show that we can live in similar comfort more sustainably. We have to have the guts to actually pursue these things or no one will.
And no, I'm not suggesting that the world follows Canada's example, or will, but we have no excuse to tell them to slow down if we aren't. No leg to stand on to tell them to convert to renewables when we aren't. "Be the change you want to see in the world."
If we really care about climate change, we will do what we can, regardless of how small the effect may be. It will still be an effect, and it will be one we have to tackle whether we wait for China or not. Why wait? Because our economy largely revolves around oil? The world will still use oil. Maybe we can alter our economy to revolve around some more things.