this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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[–] Bolt@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago (3 children)

There are many problems in the world. Some people like to focus on the ones with the largest impacts, where you can personally do something about it (like veganism). Others like to focus on those where few cause grossly disproportionate harm, as they seem more addressable (like private jets).

Debating the merits of focusing on one problem over another is interesting, but in my mind the time for it is not when media is being shared that bolsters a cause without coming at the expense of any others. It hurts all movements when people always undermine issues, pointing to another more important from their perspective.

I highly doubt that most people think you aren't doing enough for the environment. And I don't understand why you'd assume that as the implication of this article.

[–] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Good summary. For me it is disproportionate harm. I am not going to yell at some regular person for liking fried chicken when their employer is flying on a private jet.

[–] glassware@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So if billionaires put out a statement that they will never stop private flights, and governments announce that they won't legislate on it, what's your plan? Destroy the planet out of spite?

[–] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well first off I would suggest that they go in a submarine. Preference for one that doesn't have all those pesky regulations in the design.

After that just put a 20,000% fuel tax on private jets. I fly commercial, and my job matters a whole lot more, so can they. If Musk or Zuck doesn't show up to work tomorrow things would run slightly better.

We don't need them. They need us. They are not super geniuses they are lucky.

[–] Kerfuffle@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You missed the other person's point. It's not a game and the consequences of ignoring the problem are likely to be massive.

Also, you know who will be the absolute last to feel pain from stuff like climate change? The wealthy. The overwhelming majority of people that will be affected aren't privileged and in fact the least privileged are going to suffer the brunt of it.

You're not going to punish the rich and powerful and make them regret their choices with this approach. By the time they're even feeling moderate discomfort, you'll be long gone.

[–] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Right so the rest of us should suffer when there is a low hanging fruit we can pick.

This isn't about punishing people. You want CO2 to go down? Go for the easy wins before you go after the harder to achieve ones. A ban on private jets would hurt effectively none of the human race. There are over 8 billion of us. It wouldn't even impact a percent of a percent. But yeah if given the option of taking someone in developing world's motorcycle away or make Bezos have to fly first class I know which I am picking.

[–] kokiriflute@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Interesting how so many people here want to ignore the rich people who got rich off destroying the environment and instead want normal people to pay the price for their greed and destruction.

[–] SomeoneElse@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That was a really well written response and I enjoyed your insight. As for why I took personally - I was just having a bad day/week/month. Life is really fucking hard right now.

[–] lobut@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago

Hope it gets better for you mate. Virtual hug from a stranger.