Green revolution?

Question

Good morning CC! I work in the sustainable development field and recently started a new job in particular, working with NGOs, politicians, and citizens on how to make our city more « green ». And it got me thinking of 3 questions
1. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic about the environment?
2. What do you think will jumpstart (or has jumpstarted for some) the ecological transition: citizens, governments, businesses? Another group? Or a mix of all?
3. I think most people in my field, no matter their expertise (journalists, climate scientists, economists) have conceded that we can’t go on living, consuming, and producing like we are. So what do YOU think the transition will look like? How do you think your life may change?
I’m more optimistic than pessimistic because I see so many NGOs, farmers, journalists, ordinary people getting involved and doing great things! 
I think the citizens will make things move faster. Many businesses and governments are clinging to their old ways and will be difficult to change from bureaucracy alone in my opinion. 
Transition will be a bit of a learning curve—making things for ourselves more, learning to change how we consume and produce things. But I also think there will be more solidarity! We have shared gardens in our city now, community composting, groups of farmers and buyers who put forth local/organic products. I just see a lot of different kinds of people working together so I guess my view of transition is utopic but not so far from what I see through my job.
Bonus question: are there any things you’ve « changed » in your life for environmental reasons? I’m curious both for my job and personal curiosity!
PS: half the time I’m reading and talking about this stuff in French so ignore any strange phrasing 😅

Answer

I think even if community changed its ways and society became more welcoming if green culture it's a losing battle if big corporations, companies, countries like China and India and Brazil that dont believe in climate change or preservation initiatives.. we can think globally and act locally all day, but we wont put a dent into what big corporations, factories, and meat processors do to the environment... I think a good start would put funding into factories that could pull carbon out of the air and use it for other materials such as concrete and other structures... we need to work on filtering the problem not try to stop it..  we should have tried to stop it decades ago... it's like a bicycle trying to stop a train..

Answer

I like this topic a lot! 
I’m more pessimistic. I think people are resistant to change, especially when that change is expensive or more labor-intensive. Sadly, I think more people are selfish and prioritize their own convenience over the environment.
I think change will come slowly, but steadily as the younger generation gains more influence and power in business and government. They are the ones who will drive a move towards sustainable living.
It’s so early, I forgot the last question.

Answer

Good Morning! (Well afternoon now I guess)
I like to think of myself as a realist in general. I acknowledge the damage we’ve done, and the damage we continue to do, but I don’t think we’ve crossed the bridge of no return yet. 
Addressing the crisis really comes down to a partnership between government and industry. Individuals can’t stop this through good efforts on our own. We need legal protections, and consequences for violators. Good fucking luck in America under this administration, but I still have hope for the next. 
On a practical level I think we will continue seeing a lot of small changes to our daily lives. For a few examples, we’ve had a plastic bag tax here for a few years now, and just last week I noticed my tea brand switched from plastic interior packaging to unwrapped individual bags inclosed in a wax paper sack. It’s not exactly earth shattering, but those little changes help us all do our part.

Answer

I'm pretty pessimistic about this tbh. I can't see many people, governments or businesses making enough changes. I think the public could push for the biggest changes, if we stopped buying disposable things, recycled more, changed diet etc. I feel like that would then push businesses and how we vote can push governments. The issue comes that each country would have to work together and have same/similar goals/regulations otherwise businesses won't be able to make money off it so won't make the necessary changes. Taxes applied/changed could make a huge difference too so people on lower incomes can afford to make the changes.
We have stopped using almost all disposable things, including nappies/diapers, straws, wipes, we got a vacuum that doesnt use bags so we just clean it out instead of replacing anything. Cant remember the last time we used disposable cutlery etc. Reusable produce bags and grocery bags, a mesh laundry bag to limit the micro plastics we put into water. Cooking from scratch more and usually vegetarian or vegan, we've changed loads in the past few years and are still working on some other things (like glass jars to refill pasta/rice etc instead of buying packets/tubs of food stuff. We also don't own a car but that's probably going to have to change in the next 5 years, hopefully we can get a more eco friendly option then anyway though. We get our eggs and some fruit/veg from my grandfather too instead of shop bought, would love to provide for ourselves but we dont even have a small garden right now. I'm actually really upset our recycling bin was recently taken away (communal bin and our neighbours kept contaminating it) so we can no longer recycle unless I get someone to drive my recycable stuff to a centre directly. We've changed so much I've probably not even mentioned half of it tbh, I'm pretty determined to live as environmentally friendly as I can.

Answer

I am a realist. I think society as a whole are too lazy to change but individuals will drive small changes.
That being said I do feel it’s ridiculous that the top 10% cause half our carbon emissions. The majority of them don’t even try to reverse the damage. It’s also a sad fact that our governments are lead by these wealthy few.
That being said my local government is trying. We now have a ban on one use plastics, all bags in shops must be recyclable and are helping some cafe’s are trialing rentable keep cups. 
I do believe that small steps such as these will spread further and soon become part of everyday life.

Answer

I’m neither optimistic nor pessimistic. I do see a lot of people using reusable grocery bags now. I use them and I also no longer use the plastic ziplock bags. I have a set of reusable ziplocks.

Answer

Im optimistic. Slowly changing the things i can as i see many others doing. I make our own cleaning products, body butter, chapsticks, body wash, laundry soap, etc. that all cuts down on plastic waste. We have reusable water bottles. We have stopped eating alot of meat. We are having our own garden this year finally! I will continue to make changes as time goes on and i learn new things.

Green revolution?

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