I agree with the conclusion: “if we want to have a habitable planet in the near future… we’re going to have to hold billionaires accountable for their excessive emissions in a real way.”
So we allow it because freedom, but only if they agree to stay in space and aren’t older than 45? Should be net zero.
let’s not cancel space travel with false narrative.
The West’s lifestyles are going to have to change significantly if we want to maintain a habitable planet. The problem is : the West aren’t prepared to make that sacrifice.
All our lifestyles have to change. Countries have to tax the rich and stop exploiting other countries. This is not ‘the west vs the east’, it’s literally getting over your fucking stereotypes and fight for a common habitable world.
Well… everyone’s lifestyles are changing - that’s the reality.
But having spent some years in East Africa, I’d say “No” - it’s developed countries lifestyles that need to change more significantly. We live in a normalised reality of:
- having private transport
- a wide travel radius
- holidays abroad
- exotic foods imported (and other goods exported halfway around the world)
- the way we heat (and insulate) our homes
- even the clothes we wear (where they are made and the materials that are used in manufacture)
Those things aren’t the reality of the majority of Africans. These aren’t “fucking stereotypes” to get over.
it’s developed countries lifestyles that need to change more significantly.
Depends on the direction of change. Turbo capitalist countries like most of the “first world” countries have to drastically reduce consumption and waste, downsize their cars and outlaw throwaway electronics. They also have to stop exploiting poorer countries.
And the “poor” countries have to rise up and take what they need to make themselves a sustainable future. It’s hard to do that when you get your neck stomped on.
Those things aren’t the reality of the majority of Africans.
There’s more to the world than USA, Europe and Africa.
“the west” isnt the biggest emitter
Just to be clear who we’re talking about:
Or to divvy it up another way: “World’s richest 1% cause double CO2 emissions of poorest 50%” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/21/worlds-richest-1-cause-double-co2-emissions-of-poorest-50-says-oxfam
