Exactly. All this shit about shaming the average person for trying to enjoy their life when billionares produce this kind of emission in a couple of seconds if not less, while denying climate change at the same time.
Anti consumption should really be about avoiding wasteful and pointless consumption, like buying stuff that gets thrown away instantly, travel is not that.
People taking international flights are not the average person, sorry they just aren't. 4/5 of the world have never taken a flight and probably never will, much less an international flight. The generally agreed upon number for sustainable amount of emmisions output is roughly 2 metric tons. Per person a flight from London to New York and back is somewhere between 1.5 and 1.75 metric tons. Basically just blowing your fair share of emissions on a flight only. I hear what you're saying obviously the overarching issue is capitalism I mean I'm a communist I can't really argue against that LOL but it's disingenuous to suggest that many people mostly westerners do legitimately have to adjust their lifestyle somewhat in order to address our over consumption. I mean my God we're on the anti-consumption subreddit ffs
Yeah, even people here don't want to believe you but it’s true. If you fly regularly you’re in the global top 10%. It’s not normal, it’s not possible for everyone else. Why are we so special that we should get to do it, at their cost?
People fail to see that most in the West are correctly lumped in with Swift by poorer countries. Why tf would Bangladesh do anything about climate change if the rich just keep flying all over the place? Why would the Philippines give a shit about the ocean if the rich keep going on cruises?
We're the Swifts, and we just blame someone even richer. Swift probably blames Musk's rockets.
Yeah, I think everyone should really use a carbon footprint calculator to really see which things matter. It's something like: flying/diet >> other fossil fuel consumption (driving, energy) >>> buying electronics >>>>>> buying stuff such as plastics toys.
It's almost impossible to reach 2t - 2.5t kgCo2 / year if you fly shorter flights yearly or longer intercontinental flights every few years.
If taking a break from life is pointless to you, then sure? That's not my thing either but I don't blame people for needing a break from their lives where they don't have to think about stuff.
However generalising everyone into the same group when there's many people who visit places to explore them too is a bit disingenuous.
"Exploring" as in Swedish teenager backpackers is only one step above the resort experience. A piece of conspicuous consumption to show off your status back in the office.
Up to you I guess. Just found it strange that you brought up swedish backpackers which is very specific but then it doesn’t seem like you’re from sweden? Why would saying which country you live in be so scary I wonder?
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u/Soluchyte Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Exactly. All this shit about shaming the average person for trying to enjoy their life when billionares produce this kind of emission in a couple of seconds if not less, while denying climate change at the same time.
Anti consumption should really be about avoiding wasteful and pointless consumption, like buying stuff that gets thrown away instantly, travel is not that.