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What is the breakdown of the "70%" of carbon emissions by companies? (feddit.de)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I read things like "70% of emissions are by large energy companies". It often seems to be followed by claims that individual action is insignificant.

The logic seems off because if everyone stopped buying from those companies, then the emissions would be gone. Or in effect, buying from those companies buys you a share of the emissions.

Is there a good breakdown of the emissions? What percent is attributable to the consumer? Am I missing something?

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You're missing that the climate crisis is not a problem that can be solved by consumers, that's what BP wants to make you believe by introducing the carbon footprint. Those companies are actively working to hold on to the status quo because they have lots of money flowing their way until things change.

The message behind this is not to stop buying from those companies, it's that they are knowingly destroying our future and that we have a right to defend ourselves and this future.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Here's some background information on that: https://8billiontrees.com/carbon-offsets-credits/bp-carbon-footprint-calculator/

Also, it's not like people can just stop using cars, planes and energy and co. We also need the corresponding societal transformation to become less and less co2-intensive (plus all the other hazards like pollution etc.). This isn't at all fixable by consumer market choices. this needs political planning, regulations, etc. But to avoid that, auch fossile fuel companies have been actively and massively putting misinformation and propaganda into the public to distract from such effective (and profit reducing) actions.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

This I can get behind. It seems fallacious to believe that my choices don't contribute to global warming, but equally wrong to believe that companies haven't forced my hand.

This reminded me of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_streetcar_conspiracy, which I hadn't considered before. This is an example when a major company absolutely forced me to make bad environmental decisions. Public transport was literally destroyed, forcing more cars on the road.