this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2026
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Climate
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Discussion of climate, how it is changing, activism around that, the politics, and the energy systems change we need in order to stabilize things.
As a starting point, the burning of fossil fuels, and to a lesser extent deforestation and release of methane are responsible for the warming in recent decades:
How much each change to the atmosphere has warmed the world:
Recommended actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the near future:
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like using paper straws? or using reusable cups from starbucks? or turning my AC up above 78°F?
myths. all myths. you want to stop global warming? break out the guillotine and start rolling the heads of every single person with a wealth over $100 million.
Appeal to futility.
Cant fix everything? Why bother doing anything.
I'm not trying to fix everything. I'm just trying to focus all my efforts into something that will solve the problem.
we're in a burning building and you are claiming you're helping by not drinking water.
Then what are you even trying to fix? I just see you arguing against veganism, not proposing anything else.
you're the one that was proposing broken solutions to a climate problem. I was just pointing out the misconception that you individually doing anything has any real significant impact.
I suppose if an individual could do anything that would have any significant impact they could take a page from Luigi's manifesto.
personally I think it's foolish to believe that people in this day and age would come together without some kind of individual incentive. sure, you and your 3% can come together but again...not any significant impact.
as Archimedes said, "Give me the place to stand, and I shall move the earth."
it's not about finding a solution but rather the proper amount of leverage. how does being vegan bring leverage against those who compel and feed global climate change? all it does is flaunt a misplaced sense of moral superiority so you can attempt to shame others into compliance. it's such a weak stance that I doubt vegans truly believe it, which is why vegans are such a loud and outspoken minority.
Dude veganism is one of the best ways to reduce you're carbon footprint. I know it's hard for some people. I struggle with it. But it is a fact that if you eat less meat you are helping the environment. How about going vegan twice a week?
You can shit on veganism all you like but it works. Again, what are you actually doing? You wanna be luigi? Fucking do it, but stop shitting on others trying to make a difference. We're on the same team (i hope).
efforts lost on false hope are efforts wasted.
you want to be vegan because of some moral code, fine. that's a personal choice. don't shame others into your personal choice so you feel morally superior.
you want to be vegan because you believe your actions are having a significant worldwide impact on climate change, you're lying to yourself or you've been lied to. it's no different than being asked to use paper straws, or paper bags, or inflating your tires more, or turning your thermostat up or down.
the only way to slow climate change is through legislation. the only way to get legislation is to remove corporate interests from government. the only way to remove those interests is to expose the corruption. you don't have to kill anybody. you don't have to destroy infrastructure. you just need to investigate connections with lobbyists and political leaders.
I promise you, if 3% of the US population began to deeply investigate politician relationships and money, something would change immediately. far faster than if you changed your diet.
still don't believe me? when was the last time individual self-sacrifice solved any problem with government? I'm talking starvation, sleep deprivation, self immolation, etc. dietary protests change personal opinion, not public opinion.
It's not false hope though. I'm saying veganism has a positive impact on climat change. It has far more of an impact than paper straws etc. In any case, a sustainable world means eating less meat.
You are correct that there are better ways to make a difference but i'm saying every little helps. People should be encouraged to go vegan as much as possible. You're probably right that if 3% of USians investigated the corruption we'd see change. But 3% of the population going vegan would have an impact too.
I believe it will take individual AND systemic changes to stop climate change. I would never shit on someone trying to make a difference, however small.
To answer your last point.
Bobby Sands - https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-56937259
Thich Quang Duc - https://allthatsinteresting.com/thich-quang-duc-burning-monk
Obviously these are extreme examples and in another universe may not have had the same impact.
I'm just not sure what you're trying to say. That everyone should eat meat and investigate US corruption. That's as crazy as saying everyone should go vegan. Why are you shitting on vegans?