i don't know if this will help, but technology is advancing at a faster rate every single day. perhaps a potential solution will appear out of these advancements
this post was submitted on 27 Jun 2023
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We're not going to all die in half a century.
We haven't even reached the tipping point yet so if you want to believe humans can still be saved, that is still technically a possibility - at least short term.
Ultimately humanity will go extinct one day, there's no way around that. If you want to believe the worst news (I'm not saying you shouldn't) then sure, it looks like humanity is in its way out sooner than later. But it's not within your lifetime, not even your kids if you have one, This is a slow burn, it's gonna take hundreds of years at least.
And ultimately there's nothing you can do about it. Even if you go vegan and stop driving, it's not going to change billionaire superyachts and private planes. It's not going to stop Nestle ruining our rainforests. Or BP destroying our coasts with oil spills. It's not going to stop our politicians being unable to enact policies to save ourselves.
The extinction of humanity is not in your lifetime and not your fault. Stop worrying and go watch TV
You should worry, and stand up. Get politcal, reduce your consumption, learn to grow some food, start building a resilient community. All you can do is at least try to make the future slightly more survivable. Just throwing in the towel and apathetically watching the world go to shit is exactly why we are in this mess to begin with.
If you enjoy fighting this hard, if you have the free time, and the money and the energy to do so, and it makes you feel good, you should, but recognize it comes from a place of privilege.
Most people are overworked, broke, and tired. To expect them to cycle to work and grow their own food, and spend their weekends community building, when megacorporations are polluting more everyday than anyone ever could in a lifetime, is out of touch with reality.
Until we can make sweeping systemic changes to society, any individuals efforts to reduce consumption is futile, and thinking that everyone must do everything they can to save the human race because humans are so vital to the universe is delusional. Humans can go extinct, it's fine, it wont matter.
We're just along for the ride. The people profiting from this have all the money and aren't going to change their mind because they think they can buy a solution for just themselves.
So, like the knowledge that we all die one day no matter what happens, it just has to be something you live with. Until you don't.
I'm glad I don't have any children. I can just imagine the guilt I'd feel if I did…
I wouldn’t call myself terrified, but I’m pessimistic. I’ve had this attitude for years, so the fear has faded into a constant, dull, background gloom.
It would take major, expensive, immediate action to combat climate change in a meaningful way, and I don’t think my government (US) has the willingness to do it. It’s too corrupt, and there are too many climate deniers in positions of power.
Now multiply that problem a few dozen times. Imagine how difficult it would be to get countries that hate each other to work together. Even if we narrow it down to the top polluters, it’s not gonna happen.
Next, consider individuals. A lot of people are greedy, selfish, and think climate change is a hoax. Plus, people are wired for denial. That’s not a condemnation of any group. It’s just a psychological fact.
Lastly, think about the nature of the problem itself. To avoid the worst of the consequences, we need to act before undeniable proof exists. Too many people don’t trust science, and will refuse to act until their personal standards for proof are met. Unfortunately, by the time there’s “sufficient” proof, it will be too late. Even if we could flip a switch and stop burning all fossil fuels immediately, it would take years for the environment to recover.
Of course, I could be wrong. I’m not one of those depressing clods who uses pessimism as an excuse to do nothing. I still try to do things that don’t harm the environment, even though I think it’s useless and trivial. I live as though my actions could matter. We’ll see… sooner rather than later, I think.