this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2024
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Communism

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[–] puntyyoke@lemmy.world 17 points 3 months ago (13 children)

Human caused environmental devastation didn't start in the 1600s, capitalism did. I don't think humans are a virus, but I don't think that abolishing capitalism is the only critical step in preventing environmental catastrophe.

[–] yeahiknow3@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (8 children)

Given that the environmental depredation of this planet is driven by

  1. the farming of animal products,
  2. the production and consumption of energy, and
  3. the extraction and transformation of material resources,

can people explain why they believe that without capitalism everyone would be a vegan who doesn’t take vacations, use air conditioning, fly on airplanes, or drive a car? I also assume they’re wearing hemp and have no interest in fashion.

Keep in mind there are 8 billion people on this planet, so presumably they wouldn’t be having children either.

EDIT: the reply below completely ignores my question. Very few people seem to actually give a shit about the environment. It’s all just ideological posturing. And that is why we are fucked.

[–] DeadPand@midwest.social 1 points 3 months ago (2 children)

They would simply consume less and not be as driven to consume. Capitalism drives up the consumption to ridiculous levels, greed is not actually good. We could focus the economy on needs first and ensure it exists so people can still acquire goods and services in exchange for money so no one is working for nothing. But no more wealth accumulation into the stratosphere. There’s a lot that would need to change

[–] yeahiknow3@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s woefully inadequate. We need between 2 and 20 earths just to maintain our current standard of living, and keep in mind this number rises as poverty falls.

The only and I mean the only solutions that can support our absurd population is

  1. veganism
  2. tech advancements bordering on magic

It’s just math. I wish things were otherwise, I really do. But that’s what we need to save the rainforests and oceans and wild fauna that are still clinging to existence. Everything else is ideology.

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