Using the drug dealers defence does not make you a drug dealer. But the “if we don’t do it someone else will” is the drug dealers defence, is a pathetic argument, and needs to get called out. Every single time. If you don’t like it, then stop using that argument.
OK, you asked, here’s a list:
- I have been a 100% greenpower customer since 2000.
- I finally found a carbon offset gas product 4 years ago and switched to that.
- I purchased a Nissan LEAF in 2014 to expressly get off petroleum.
- I will buy a Model 3 this year to become a BEV-only family
- I catch public transport to work.
- I always carbon-offset my airplane flights.
- Six years ago I completely divested from fossil fuel investments and put all of my super into an ethical and sustainable investment fund. It done very nicely, thank you!!
- I am getting solar panels installed next month with a PW2 to reduce my grid consumption by 90% (and like you I hope to export more power than I consume hopefully to get zero power bill). I have a small roof so most of the delay was waiting for the technology to reach the point where net zero consumption was feasible.
- Even getting approval for the solar panels was a bit of a saga. I am meeting with the Lord Mayor of my local council in April to explain how their planning policies are hurting the adoption of solar panels.
- I recently wrote to my local member and the opposition Energy minister identifying how two different state planning instruments actually contradict each other and has the effect of stymieing the adoption of rooftop solar in NSW (we are #4 out of 6 states in adoption rates). They both thanked me for drawing it to their attention and, I hope, will act on rectifying it.
- I’m also spending a lot of money to greatly improve the energy efficiency of my house.
- I have all but stopped eating beef and instead eat kangaroo which has much less environmental impact (in terms of land degradation and CO2/methane emissions)
- And probably other stuff I’ve forgotten about.
None of this is perfect but the point is to get better. I have the financial means to do this, so it would be extremely hypocritical of me not to. None of it is “virtue signalling”. And I don’t care if anyone thinks it is. Better than being a hypocrite.
Anyway (and this is not directed at you), arguing for perfection is only used as a crutch by some to delay or prevent action. The “if we can’t solve the problem 100% then we should not do anything” logic. I have reduced my carbon footprint by over 80%, and will be well over 90% once the panels are in, and yet live a comfortable and modern lifestyle (apparently impossible with renewables, according to some). I’m doing everything I can as soon as it’s practical and possible to do so.
Now just imagine if everyone did what they practically could to reduce their own footprint within their own financial means and constraints. It can be a little bit at a time, but over 25 million people it would sure add up fast. It would show up just how pathetic our Paris targets are.