The Problem with Consumerism

The problem with Consumerism, explained. Support OCC and get 20+ bonus, ad-free videos by signing up for Nebula: go.nebula.tv/occ/
Support this via Patreon: / ourchangingclimate
In this Our Changing Climate environmental video essay, I look at the problem with consumerism. Specifically, the video looks at how consumerism and consumption levels negate the environmental benefits of sustainable green growth. As we consume and consume, our consumption levels of materials and energy go up, requiring a larger renewable energy transition to cover. With holidays like Christmas and Black Friday imploring consumers to buy more with deals and advertisements galore. The problem with consumerism, consumption, our materialistic obsessions, and a capitalist growth-centered is that it blocks the amazing progress we've made on the energy efficiency and renewables front. Ultimately, consumerism and consumption must be corrected by a state of deconsumption, degrowth, and minimalism in rich countries. Contracting consumption rates and embracing degrowth, minimalism, and essentialism will make a transition to a 100% renewable world that much better.
Help me make more videos like this via Patreon: bit.ly/2iz4lIV
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Twitter: / ourclimatenow
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Timestamps:
Intro - 0:00
How Consumption Causes Climate Change - 1:11
Why We Can't Buy Our Way Out of Climate Change - 3:45
What Options Do We Have? - 5:54
Towards Degrowth - 8:16
I use Epidemic Sound for some of my music: epidemicsound.com/creator
_______________________
Further Reading and Resources: ourchangingclimate.notion.sit...
#Consumerism #Degrowth #Minimalism

[@OurChangingClimate]

💡 Please take a second to share this video on Reddit, Facebook, or Twitter! 🌍 What actions are you taking to grapple with consumption? 🎁 I've also made a video about the problem with Black Friday. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmS9aYelmduBq68 🌳 If you’re looking for a concrete example of what degrowth could look like check out Happen Films’ Degrowth in the Suburbs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZaxkoCinsecl80

[@maknyc1539]

Can you make a video about the enviromental impact of bird feeders and bird houses?

[@OurChangingClimate]

@@maknyc1539 Woah that would be an interesting subject. What particularly would you be interested in learning about? (i.e. the impact of the creation of bird feed? or how does feeding birds create a disruption in the ecological web?)

[@miala6656]

Hey OCC, can you consider making a video on whether a carbon tax would work? Great video btw 😄

[@kaykay1570]

So tell me this, if 95-99% of meat is factory farmed, who gets to eat the 5-1% ? How about you stop telling people to eat less meat. And start doing research on FACTORY FARMING. And the damage it cuases Ill be waiting on that answer btw. From anyone

[@gcobanivundla8709]

@@kaykay1570 Dude, chill. It's just meat and isn't that deep.

[@felicetanka]

Advertising is how the rich beg.

[@woilah794]

lol true

[@kotborduyam6056]

Damm that's a good line

[@_ok1735]

don't mind if I use this line?

[@felicetanka]

@@_ok1735 of course not, just ive done. Nothing new under the sun.

[@felicetanka]

@@_ok1735 i understand gk chesterton wrote it, and likely the Romans before.

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people that they don't like.” ― Will Rogers

[@nolisarmiento1719]

to buy things they don't NEED

[@swamivardana9911]

go to Afghanistan were there is no consumerism.

[@papasscooperiaworker3649]

They haven’t earned?

[@silkegehtyoutubegarnichtsa892]

Yawn. However, the people they want to impress (whether they are liked by them or not), either see them as minnesota suckers, or, as someone celebrating depressmass as their lifestyle!

[@MRWEDAWEST]

@@carsonchiem145 Yeh. And maybe about ppl spending money they don't actually deserve.

[@superjorrit1991]

I like how you acknowledge that no matter what an individual does in terms of changing its consumption/behavior, global emissions will continue to rise. It's a complex systemic issue with a large responsibility for global corporations. However, I do think the solution is BOTH reducing the emissions from corporations AND changing individual behavior.

[@reversed2489]

Yeah that's how i feel. Like even if all individuals changed their behaviors, if big corporations continued how they are, emissions will still increase. However, I think that individual behavior should still change, but the focus should be on gov officials and businesses, including to facilitate individual change. I think both types of changes should happen in order to help

[@_thisconnected_]

The video actually states that both are responsible but corporations push away responsibility to the individual entirely while being a much larger contributor to the emissions dilemma instead of addressing it as a twofold situation.

[@kristinandj]

totally yes !

[@tim_garcia]

Agree with this sentiment! I find that practicing minimalism and being selective of what I truly need helps me as an individual to combat the temptations brought upon by such a consumer-oriented atmosphere that we live in. It's definitely a challenge but we need to adapt our way of life before its too late.

[@Victor-oo4ux]

I agree, and won't cooperations be forced to change their behaviour, when enough individuals change their behaviour? Don't let the big and bad companies have their way. 😇🌸

[@HVAC_Sean]

I went to college to become a motorcycle mechanic. I enjoyed fixing things so much that I wanted to make it my professional pursuit. I had a lot of fun in my program, but when I went out into the world to actually work, I noticed a lot of wasteful practices. For example, a lot of the time, I would be told to replace the spark plugs on a machine that absolutely did not need new spark plugs. I could see that they were sparking. I cleaned and gapped them. They were never at fault. And yet with most services or no-start diagnosis, I would be replacing spark plugs. Among other things. I don't want to spend all day going into specific instances. I later went back to college to become an electronics technician, as I had exhausted my job prospects as a motorcycle mechanic. I wanted to keep with the theme of actually fixing things, but in a new area. I wanted to be a bench technician, repairing equipment and devices at the component-level. But when I made it to the end of my program, I found that there were no jobs available for that. I kept an eye on the listings for a year, nothing. My instructor had been suggesting this to me throughout the program, but she didn't want to crush my optimism. Instead, I found out, yet again, that the solution to something breaking is to replace the equipment, or if it's sufficiently large, the board or system that broke. Why? Because it's faster to replace than to repair. It's also cheaper to buy a new piece of equipment is most cases, than it is to pay for the labor to isolate the specific failing components. I made it out of high school riding the dream that I could live by fixing things for people, and I was thoroughly disappointed by the state of the industries I'd just entered. That is why I support this idea of reduced consumption. If we have to make our possessions last, then we will need to actually fix them when they break. And I feel my life would have a renewed sense of purpose in such a future.

[@christine_notchristina]

This was touching to read. I hope you're able to fix things wherever life takes you right now.

[@sydneysabre]

I work somewhere that repairs sewing machines, and it's all the same. Replacing parts instead of repairing parts. After so many years, the parent company stops making parts for older machines, I could go on.

[@89Kritiker89]

I think it is possible to live of board-level repairs, but you may have to specialize and build up your own business. There are some examples like Louis Rossmann or NorthridgeFix.

[@DSakarias]

Don't forget about planned obsolescence. Let's get rid of that

[@joeanthony7759]

That means bye-bye capitalism. Which ought to be fine with any sane human.

[@Makrel94]

@@joeanthony7759Sane humans are a minority.

[@insightful_fairy8743]

It’s good to see more of the younger generation have got into “thrifting” - buying second hand clothing that’s just like brand new and so much cheaper! And plus you can find an item of clothing that is original so no one else will be wearing the same thing!

[@arunshankars8398]

What is the issue if someone else is wearing the same thing ? I wouldn't mind if another person was wearing the same dress. There are tens of thousands out there who possess the same refrigerator/TV/phone/laptop/car as you do. The same goes for dress!

[@insightful_fairy8743]

@@arunshankars8398 there’s not issue…. It would just be boring if everyone was wearing the same thing 🙃🤡

[@Jennifer-uh8th]

Sadly the thrift stores in my area are super expensive, in my country only the rich kids go thrifting…

[@comidamexicanasinsabor_]

@@Jennifer-uh8th thrifting honestly shouldn’t be an expensive thing to do. if u do wanna go thrifting, i suggest you go to a local farmer’s market or a flea market. u can find many things in a flea market and in addition, you can save alot of money, water, carbon, and also a ton of money in fast fashion too

[@biguattipoptropica]

@@comidamexicanasinsabor_ side quest only open to sizes 0-10

[@curatedconnection6334]

Hello from the Philippines, a nation that has consistently been on top of the list of countries at risk to climate change! Thanks to the world's top carbon emissions "contributors," we've been suffering from a lot of climate-related hazards. While there are many drivers of vulnerability and we can push for increasing our adaptive capacity, that does not mean we can't demand for climate justice.

[@soccerplayer2277]

You have my sympathy. Unfortunately, us commoners in North America really can't do much other than vote in those who make false promises to make changes. We are some of the worst responsible for this on a per capita basis and yet your country will face much of the consequences

[@curatedconnection6334]

@@soccerplayer2277 If only we humans stop being selfish and truly care for the welfare of everyone and keep in mind that everything is interconnected- that even a single individual's act can impact the lives of people who may be thousands kilometers away from him/her. Our nation has a lot to work on too, especially in the area of governance. Plurality continues to produce inept govt officials. The incumbent "president" (quotation marks because I personally believe he has not been acting what his position tells hims to do) promised to defend our sovereignity over our islands in the West Philippine Sea but keeps on kissing China's ass and just allow China to build facilities in our islands and create more artificial ones. The "president" cried for climate justice in a recent ASEAN meeting but keeps on travelling from/to the capital where the presidential palace is to/from his family house using P2 billion Gulfsream jet almost on a weekly basis! Imagine the carbon footprint! Imagine wasting money from tax paid for by citizens! May more people realize our individual and collective power to change the world for the better. No act is too small to bring about change.

[@qjtvaddict]

Maybe a war is needed

[@qjtvaddict]

@@curatedconnection6334 North Americans don’t understand compassion

[@YBM2007]

How about the local air pollution? Finger pointing is maybe not the way to go

[@heibk-2019]

To make it short: Just buying nothing you dont necessarily need is way better for the environment and climate than buying any product

[@ee214verilogtutorial2]

The global economy might crash from such actions.

[@Zift_Ylrhavic_Resfear]

@@ee214verilogtutorial2 The global economy is going to crash anyway because it is based on infinite growth, which is impossible. It's long past time we replace it with an economy that is sustainable in the long term.

[@slimetank394]

@@ee214verilogtutorial2 when environment is completely destroyed to please the constant need of growth of this economy, then both the economy and human current civilization gonna crash with it anyway, nothing last forever, the only thing matter is will it crash for better or worse

[@UNSCPILOT]

And where possible repair and or make something yourself, especially if you can use local materials/recycled materials. The less mass-manufacturing and transportation is involved the lower the impact will be

[@daniyairalina3920]

@EE214 Verilog Tutorial It’s much better than living in a world where ginormous corporations control everything and people don’t even realize that.

[@PatheticTV]

Your videos are so professional and well-produced that sometimes I feel I shouldn’t be watching it for free

[@OurChangingClimate]

My videos will always be free! But..... if you're interested... I do have a Patreon 😇

[@PatheticTV]

@Flash ’ That's not what I meant by my comment, sorry if it was a bit confusing. I definitely agree with you, the way this guy is making all this content free is absolutely essential to spreading the word about what has to happen to ensure the survival of the planet, and the Patreon is a good place for the people who afford to support that mission.

[@FredRosa]

@@PatheticTV everything should be free

[@yeahokbuddy2510]

Bruh you are such a consumer that you think this should have pay wall up on it? Okay I guess all the uneducated poor people just can’t watch it now lol.

[@leilanidru7506]

@@yeahokbuddy2510 I think it was just a compliment on his extremely high quality videos. It ain’t that deep😅 access is very important but so is needing money for survival. Hence, OCC’s patreon.

[@buzabuba7326]

We should add Amazon delivery boxes to that CO2 list now.

[@OurChangingClimate]

Yeah seriously. Especially this year. I did a video a little bit ago on Amazon if you want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJrIYmyNnJ6Cpbc

[@rohansth]

Not just the delivery packaging, but also the packaging used within products. I have been keeping track of the amount of plastic packaging that comes in groceries and other products, and most of it just seems redundant and unnecessary.

[@danam2584]

@@rohansth Isn't the plastic packaging crazy!? I was appalled with all the plastic packaging that just our household obtained this year.

[@acidroofproductions9378]

@@rohansth I am angry at the amount of plastic/paper wasted every year on packaging.

[@rohansth]

What's interesting is there are actually more sustainable alternative to such single use plastics that are made out of hemp. They just haven't become as mainstream as plastic.

[@akshatjoshi7989]

Its pretty basic really mother earth provides for everyones needs but its never enough for anyones greed.

[@mr.peabody9832]

Exactly

[@poochesworld]

True!

[@wolverineplayz4448]

Yea true

[@freetibet1000]

With these few words you have summed up the whole dilemma. Needs are real and can be provided for. Greed is a fabricated “need” produced by a uncontrolled mind. When our natural needs are met our bodies feel content. Needs produced by an uncontrolled mind is never satisfied. The solution to this greed-pandemic can only be found in the minds of you and me. We have all a mind and that mind can be our worst enemy or our savior. It’s up to us!

[@miloka2938]

Unfortunately due to Instagram, tiktok , mindless buying everything that "influencers" promote I don't think it's possible to change this.

[@vanilla7266]

you are right to assume that this will be a major concern in the fight against over consumption. influencers pose the consumption of goods as a means to acquire happiness. its insidious and deeply ingrained...

[@jonnysinclair2186]

Consumerism is what led to the death of humanity. Maybe the next sentient life forms on earth don’t make the same mistake.

[@applesauce_0743]

change starts with us.

[@nurainamani4226]

we need more influencers raise this issue and start to give more concern abut what the promoting to people

[@nurainamani4226]

@Rumpel Felt yeah you have a point. i agree with you. thats so sad

[@ruy_u]

Here's an idea you haven't considered in the video, the reason for big consumption in many cases is faulty products that were built to break. Like light bulbs. They want you to keep consuming so they don't make products that last a long time. This is definitely a part of our problem however the biggest issue is what's been outlined in the video, companies making you want to buy the newest product by any means necessary

[@niiico2351]

I have been depressed for several months now. Throughtout my low-point, I was able to examine different aspects of my life. The biggest takeaway I have been able to gather is that consumption is the biggest factor to why I have been feeling so low. Whether it's consuming junk food, pornography, movies, TV or buying things that I don't really need. None of it made me any happier. On the other hand, when I produce I feel significantly better. Even if it's something simple like cooking a meal, which has been somewhat difficult for me through my depression. It made me feel much better. Obviously I'm not saying all consumption is bad, it's necessary. But by producing you feel a sense of accomplishment that takes you out of yourself and most importantly you show yourself that you can do it Much love, ♥️ Stay safe.

[@arunshankars8398]

Much like you, I am going through depression, and even the daily, routine tasks seem to be very difficult. I cannot cook a meal, or get myself to do the laundry. I hope you're doing well, and I can fully empathize with what you are feeling. Good luck to you!

[@technomewmew]

I hope you are feeling better these days!

[@saumitrachakravarty]

3:42 I am from Bangladesh and I fully endorse the fact that we are suffering one of the worst consequences of climate change despite being one of lowest carbon emitters.

[@funkystrunk9228]

It's so sad that the more you know about climate and economic reality, the more you feel like our egoism and money-driven economy are just to much to solve such a big problem, and there's hardly anything you can do as an individual! So frustrating...

[@cameronmarler6223]

Yeah, the best thing you can do is try to talk to people in your community. I have social anxiety so I have a really hard time with this, plus I live in a rural area so it's pretty tough for me.

[@terrorbilly1]

You can make a change as an invidual, just buy less sh!t.

[@funkystrunk9228]

@@terrorbilly1 I try to do that already, but there needs to be changes on an interantional, governmental and systemic level i think

[@albertjackinson]

@@funkystrunk9228 That might change soon, at least in the US. The EU does have a plan to cut emissions 55% by 2030, but it's an overarching law. Basically, it's a starting point for each country to their part. In the US, we need to see if legislation gets passed based on the goals of our next President. But we have a Senate election first that decides which party gets the majority. So we'll see what happens. I hope the Republicans don't win, because if they do, that might make sweeping change extremely difficult. This might be redundant if you're an American. Sorry. I just wasn't sure if you were.

[@funkystrunk9228]

@@albertjackinson I'm not but I am quite familiar with the subject because of the big climatical and political impact the US has on europe (and the rest of the world), but thx anyways :) I never really understood the standpoint of republicans (and conservatives in a more general sense) on the subject if I'm being honest. I don't really see how advocating certain conservative opinions should conflict acting on climate change or even believing in it! I mean I see the financial interests of politicans, who get funded by big oil and fossil fuel industries but why do conservative voters, who obviously don't gain anything (except if you are maybe working in the industry) from this also represent these opinions? Climate change is such an important and international problem which could create thousands of jobs and often even leads to better quality of living and more importantly poses a existential threat to the human species in general. So why the hell aren't conservatives getting on the bord with democrates on the subject?

[@kristaw206]

Proud to say I don't consume as much as I did growing up! Our family christmases were great growing up, but now as adults we are more content to just be together with few things (as much as we can this year).

[@angelaaguilar-dimas6027]

Awesome 😊

[@ziintle]

You see when you have two friends and no money, you don’t relate to social pressure

[@hamzahabdurrahman389]

just imagine a world where minimalism is promoted, and consumerism is shameful

[@acommentator69]

We had that in the 50s, and you activists hated the 50s. Here's what you got...

[@billoloo2870]

It guess it would mean most of the manufacturing jobs are lost.

[@Jetdonk3y]

i would hate that

[@sosopwsi829Jjw9]

It's called Venezuela, look how well that turned out

[@avinashreji60]

@@sosopwsi829Jjw9 lol, still using that meme

[@Khan-rp6wv]

OH, A NEW PRODUCT WITH ONLY SLIGHT ALTERATIONS? IM GONNA CONSOOOOM

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

Fine then don't consume. You can't dictate me what i can and can't consume.

[@cameronmarler6223]

@@rajashashankgutta4334 Self Expose lol

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

@@humanbean7884 it depends on the personal tastes and their purchasing power. For example my grandmother still prefers 15 year old tv then the latest one(i prefer normal led tv then latest 4k tvs). You can advise people to consume less, not dictate them.

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

@@humanbean7884 corporations produce only those products for which people are willing to pay. If people stopped buying products with small incremental changes(for you it's incremental, but for others it's groundbreaking), then corporations will automatically stop making them. Also if you suddenly release a new product with much more advanced features than the previous one(or in other words, lots of untested, unproven technologies), then this new product is at a higher risk of making losses. That's why companies opt for small incremental changes. Edit: please don't blame advertisements. They inform and attract you, but you can choose not to buy it.

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

@@humanbean7884 electronic sector as a lot of competition(even between multi national companies). They are many smart phone manufacturers for the consumers to choose from. Regarding marketing, i think people overestimate the power of marketing. You can't mislead your consumers for eternity. If your product or service is not up to the market requirements, then no amount of marketing can save you. Regarding regulations, why do you guys want to add too many regulation? You want to end big money in politics. Do you know why big businesses send money(campaign finances) and lobbyists(government doesn't know industry specific issues. So they hire experts who are connected to big businesses aka lobbyists? To influence government to make regulations either favourable to them or to make regulations that affect all businesses equally. If you want to end big business in politics then you have to reduce unnecessary regulations. Also regulation of battery life? Regulation on textile quality?What's the next regulation how much a cow can fart? If consumers don't have problem with planned obsolescence, then why should the government involve itself? Regarding unethical means, we can't really do anything. It's their country and if they want to pursue this way what can we do? If we want to avoid trade with them, then you have to avoid trade with every other third world country too.

[@LeahandLevi]

Great video man! Getting into these nuances is tough but so important!

[@eco-techandtravel5258]

Jevons paradox

[@swamivardana9911]

US carbon emission decreased. Facts don't support this video.

[@wolfgangk2824]

Reduction of consumption is proportional with increase of unemployment.

[@jackvac1918]

@@swamivardana9911 Factor in the imports from overseas manufacturing and the emissions US consumption is responsible for have declined far less. Substituting in renewables without reducing total energy consumption is not a viable green strategy either, since while it cuts down emissions, it also expands the environmental impact elsewhere and creates new crises in those areas (Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity: www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17928-5 )

[@jackvac1918]

​@@wolfgangk2824 Continue with the current economic paradigm and unemployment will soon be the least of our worries.

[@b.b.wilders]

I work in a toy store and it's really sad seeing customers buy so much garbage (like very cheap fidget toys that will probably end up in the bin or behind the couch within a week). I usually dislike collecting things because it's supporting a very toxic industry (literally and figuratively). When I was a child, we sold or donated all toys I didn't need anymore. I've had customers who needed certain Barbie dolls that we didn't have in stock because their child already had all of the ones we sell and it's just very sad to see it. The same with customers getting angry they're not getting something for free, even though we only give away certain things as long we've got them in stock and it's written everywhere. But people just need everything and they need it now. We now sell baby toys who usually cost around 40 dollars for 10 dollars and they're almost sold out. It made me think that sometimes, simply because something is cheaper than usual or has a discount, it doesn't mean you have to buy it, especially if you don't need it or only "just in case".

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

Some people are also pressured to buy because of businesses discontinuing or threatening to discontinue products, or manufacturing false scarcity.

[@b.b.wilders]

​@@user-gu9yq5sj7c ohh yes, absolutely!

[@angelaaguilar-dimas6027]

Good insight

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

"The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself. That in its essence is fascism: ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

[@nicoleisasupreme]

oh wow that quote is so powerful. i wish more people would realize this, that the sense of freedom the democracy seems to give us is false when giant corporations continue to lobby for their ‘rights’ and benefits and sway the politicians whose duties should have been for our benefits in the first place.

[@FAKETV96]

Damn that’s some real Marxist shit right there

[@ihl0700677525]

The irony is, you leftists are so scared of the concentration of power in the hand of the corporations (i.e. a small group of investors / rich individuals), yet you are willingly hand over all the power to the government (i.e. small group of politicians). Do you really think politicians and bureaucrats are any better than CEOs and corporate workers? If the "military industrial complex" has anyone to thank for its rise to power, it is/was FDR.

[@vivieneb3131]

@@ihl0700677525 I don't think they're any better but at least you can still vote them out and depends on which politicians, you can always support grassroots campaigns. That's where being an authentic democracy comes in, where politicians should have to work to keep their votes. It's a highly complex issue (that being the unofficial alliance between private companies and politicians vested in profits) that people do acknowledge. I feel like the cynicism or subtle disdain for leftists here is kinda unproductive, but I guess if people didn't realize this sooner it is worth putting out there (just framing could be improved becuz people normally don't respond well to being undermined right off the bat). Just my 2 cents.

[@ihl0700677525]

@@vivieneb3131 _"at least you can still vote (politicians) out and depends on which politicians, you can always support grassroots campaigns."_ Sure, just like you can *vote with your wallet* on products/services provided by any producers/corporations. Furthermore, you can only elect new politicians to replace the current (already elected) ones after certain period of time, while you can vote with your wallet *anytime, anywhere, on any issue.* You can also directly influence a corporation by investing in them. If you have preferred stocks (i.e. stock that represent some degree of ownership of the company), you can join the board and vote directly on company policies.

[@Gnoccy]

So, there remains one question: How do we connive 8 billion people of this?

[@qwertyuiop-tk9rr]

It's not the fault of all 8 billion. The majority of the human population lives in poverty and squalor while a handful of oligarchs strip the earth bare of its resources and destroys the environment for their own gain. To aid them in this structure of control, they enlist the wilful compliance of their fellow countrymen, who in reality are just as used as any other worker elsewhere in the world, except as those in the best position to threaten the wealth of the oligarchs, they are kept sedated and blissfully unaware through a stream of consumerism and activities that trigger constant endorphin release.

[@Gnoccy]

@@qwertyuiop-tk9rr I agree. It's not their fault. But that hardly changes anything.

[@badsanta123]

How do we connive 8 billion STUPID people of this

[@feelingmoovey6318]

Don’t have any kids and you’ll have done your bit

[@feelingmoovey6318]

@Math Exitii , I was commenting to everyone, regardless of where there live , and I think it’s a valid comment ,if the bath is overflowing turn off the taps

[@JohnSmith-oo9mr]

I know this will probably be buried. But I would just like to say how much I appreciate the calm presentation of your message and merely presenting the fax and not trying to force people into an opinion. I love your work and you have inspired me to be more eco friendly.

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

Try watching NHK Japan Zero Waste, Mossy Earth, DW Planet A, or Not Just Bikes. I appreciate how they don't shove their message either, are calm, and show evidence.

[@runningmoonb]

I am studying degrowth on my masters thesis so this is a much appreciated content for wider awareness on the ills of growth, so thanks a bunch! It is brutally important to see that techno-fixes will not save us from the climate change and ecological destruction, if our consumption (which has been perfectly summarized in the video in terms of differentiating between individual responsibilties vs corporate propagandas for laying the burden solely on individual consumption) does not reduce. We have to find an alternative that does not rely inherently on more consumption and concomitantly on growth. Degrowth sounds quite alien to us yet, but we should acknowledge that the "anti" of capitalism is not necessarily socialism and systemic change is and has been possible throughout history. And it is needed more than ever now, because growth does not only detoriate the environment but also exacerbate social inequalities.

[@onlymediumsteak9005]

You might want to mention that the study included laptops, but only one laptop for every household! I can’t see a future with home office and remote learning where 4 people can share one laptop and still get everything done.

[@Tore_Lund]

Anyone else remembering the 1980' vision of a sustaiable planet? Back then, the 60-70' were close enough to have established that consumerism was a substitute for being unhappy, so environmental visions were based on consuming less and getting as much as possible locally. Not only food but whater industrial products. However, this was before the epifhany of globalism and markets were detatched to a much greater extent than today, but they got it right. The most extreme visions were small communities, living hightech (solar and wind powered), no commuting and little travelling, plenty of undisturbed forrest between communities. So they got it figured out. There also was the idea that spare time was preferable spend with family, so everything would play nicely together. EVs were only supposed to be low speed neighbourhood vehicles using 1/5 of EVs today. They got it sorted with what was available in 1980, and no high tech carbon capturing was needed. In other words, as pointed out in ths video, if we consumed less, the solutions would be much simpler.

[@mai.vancon]

How about stick to 1 device per person? If you have a tablet, I’m sure you don’t need a laptop. If you have a phone, I’m sure you don’t need a tablet.

[@yannickgeudens5192]

@@Tore_Lund Sound like a very boring life to me.

[@Tore_Lund]

@@yannickgeudens5192 Yes, that was the idea. To Some extent IT has been tried in Holland where a new section of allotments were only Sold to a community group, who signed to Help each other finishing all the zero Energy homes and live sustainable.

[@yannickgeudens5192]

@@Tore_Lund Well that's not my style. I'm very much aware of what I consume but I'm not willing to give up so much quality of life.

[@gatorscoops3861]

I still think that car culture is a giant reason why we are all going to die from global warming. Public transportation IS the answer to our transportation problem!

[@wobblybobengland]

Agriculture releases more carbon into the environment than transportation.

[@matteopennacchietti9831]

I agree that you are correct, the science is clear that degrowth is needed. I struggle with this fact however, our current capitalist economies run on growth, it is in some ways their defining feature. Reduced growth is effectively recession and job loss. I do not know how current government systems could even move forward on a degrowth platform when in some ways both business and labour currently depend on growth. Would love you hear your thoughts!

[@garry8390]

Google Geo-libertarianism

[@ee214verilogtutorial2]

That’s assuming that everyone will be peaceful. With massive declines in terms of income and quality of life, a power vacuum will be filled with warlords, practically reversing all of the progress in terms of social and economic policies

[@ItsJustFashion]

Try to take a break from retail therapy and see what happens! I call it a retail detox and I do it usualy twice a year for few months but this time I decided to do a year long retail detox and I am already half way through!

[@henryfleischer404]

I haven't gotten into retail therapy. I tried shopping twice in the last month, and I got nothing. It's really hard to justify buying most things.

[@ItsJustFashion]

@@henryfleischer404 I totally agree! That moment of happiness when you get something new passes quickly and then the thing is not new anymore, so we think it's not special anymore...the trick is to appreciate everything you already have and to cherish new things, not because they are new, but because you actually need them...and the secret is that we don't really need that much stuff anyway!

[@SmallBeanImperialist]

"Spectre that haunts...". Interesting choice of words, comrade.

[@TheCheezy303]

“The things you own end up owning you."

[@zinjanthropus322]

It's the green trick to boost economies by selling you green versions of things you've already bought.

[@brianhenderson9124]

"And Mr. Green, he's so serene, he's got a TV in every room." Or how about "here in status symbol land..." These lyrics to the Monkees' "Pleasant Valley Sunday" puts the song into an eerie light, like it's the precursor to the rampant consumerism of the 70s and 80s, and the monstrosity consumerism has become here in the 21st century. We should've been paying attention to these subtle critiques when we had the chance.

[@tagtraumerin5077]

Living in the 1960s in Switzerland with the internet sounds like an utopia to me :)

[@yannickgeudens5192]

I rather remain in today's world

[@ghost_fueled_scarecrow]

That's weirdly specific

[@Torbu6286]

We consumers have the power to buy, if we stop buying all the unnecessary products, demand falls, they'll stop producing. Unity

[@captainvijaikanth]

How could I reduce consumption if all stuff have built-in obsolescence?

[@Farimira]

Maybe you can repair more things, e.g if you have communal tools available locally in a men's shed, maker's space or library etc ... and have time. Otherwise just wear things completely out before disposing of them, and reuse where you can e.g clothes as cleaning rags. You can also sometimes get more robust stuff, even furniture, at op shops

[@Kefemu]

It's most stuff, but not all. One of my favorite subreddits is r/buyitforlife. It's a forum centered around buying products that will last much longer than most. They're usually more expensive than the planned obsolescence stuff, but cheaper in the long run due to not having to replace them as often.

[@captainvijaikanth]

@@Farimira thanks for the reply. I do mostly what you suggest. I do what I can but I had lost hope in humanity. Just expecting the inevitable doomsday would come sooner. So, that the planet can restart without the idiotic humans. Sorry to say this just wanna let it out

[@captainvijaikanth]

@@Kefemu Is there any reddit about minimalism with clear list of only things that needed to live consciously and sustainably?

[@timby2383]

@@Farimira this reminds me of what we did back in the Soviet Union. We were one of the greenest societies if you subtract the irresponsible rapid industrialization

[@arunshankars8398]

I have been watching many videos on minimalism these days, and I've made some lifestyle changes too. It's not that difficult, and I can say that not possessing stuff can actually be very liberating. Lesser the clutter, calmer the mind. Keep only what you truly need. Give away stuff to those who might need them. Stop impulsive buying.

[@thumper84]

So get rid of your cell fone and Internet, neither one of those is even close to a need

[@KHAIM3RA]

I think spirituality plays into this too. Consumption requires a feeling of dissatisfaction and capitalism has convinced us that in order to fill this void we must simply consume more. The truth is that no human can be sated by materialism and they will be left in an endless cycle of craving. If a person learns to find happiness in the experience of life itself, the pursuit of internal goals, personal development and a sense of spiritualism then they will not feel hollow and their desire for consumption will reach a grinding halt. The capitalistic system intrinsically breeds misery in the population because it thrives on dissatisfaction and nihilism. You cannot sell anything to anyone who fills his desires internally.

[@julio1148]

Really nice essay, love that you cite your sources and provided links in the description. Not enough people on this platform do this.

[@Victor-oo4ux]

I really appreciate your video on this topic, perfect timing with black Friday upcoming. d; Not many realise how bad it is to consume, consume and consume. Let's buy less and recycle more for the upcoming Christmas! ❄️🌲

[@yet_another_tobi]

Amazing Video, just stumbled across your channel and I'm really liking it. I changed up my life and personality quite a bit over the course of the last 1-2 years, becoming more and more climate- and socially conscious. Formerly I lived pretty much the exact opposite which is mostly due to my family. I come from a rich family (not crazy rich, but definitely a 7 figure net worth) with typical German centrist positions, but which is extremely capitalist (which pretty much can be seen in my whole extended family since my parents generation are all self-made wealthy) and in them I can exactly see the problems we're having in our society. When talking to them, consumerism and constant growth almost seems like a religion and every single word against it is unacceptable, the worst part though is that they know exactly about the problems we're having and what's causing them, but they only have a sort of "so what" mentality, saying everybody thinks like that and therefore you can't change it. This type of behaviour really makes me desperate and even angry, and when seeing videos like yours, I'm thinking "yeah, that's absolutely right and exactly what I'm thinking", but I also see no way we can accomplish these important things, like finally challenge the ideas of "holy consumerism" and infinite growth when most people in the western world (or at least the people with the money, the power and the impact, which to me seem to be inherently correlated or even causal to one another) think like my parents.

[@logans3365]

I have been selling and giving away a lot of my stuff, as well as not buying more to replace it, and I have never been happier. Anything collecting dust in your house should not be in your house.

[@stikeMedia]

Brilliant video and so needed. The consumption levels I saw during my couple of months in the US a few years ago (college kids ordering tons of stuff delivered to campus with free shipping) was mind blowing. Being from South Africa where we don't have that consumption culture it really stood out as a major cultural difference. But the most disturbing thing is that in the years since I returned home, I've noticed the increasing export of this hyper consumption culture to Africa (it's the "next big market/opportunity" as per the corporate speak), with the proliferation of social media and increased smartphone access giving rise to a whole new generation of consumers. Another thing we need to call out more specifically are influencers who are 21st century capitalism's great ambassadors getting people to spend spend spend. Glad to see that some are referenced here implicitly. We also need to radically rethink the advertising industry. Can it be re-engineered towards promoting low carbon lifestyles? How do we create a culture of shame around high emission consumption and reward socially and financially low emission lifestyles? Could marketing and influencers be turned on its head and user for these purposes?

[@Czarewich]

I gave up meat and dairy 4 years ago, and it was way easier than I imagined.

[@akshatjoshi7989]

@Mr. Shark Hunting is way more sustainable

[@tolrem]

I did that two years ago except for a small amount of chicken.Feel better in health and conscience.No going back.

[@eben3357]

@@akshatjoshi7989 Even if all 7 billion humans revert to hunting?

[@akshatjoshi7989]

@@eben3357 yes at least it will be great for our planet, not so much for humans tho. The first agricultural revolution during the neolithic era started the growth(considerable growth) in human population. If all humans today went from agriculture/animal husbandry to hunting as a primary source of nutrition, the majority of human population will die from starvation. The loss of fauna would eventually be covered up pretty quickly, if we consider the "age" of our planet. The humans not so much.

[@avancalledrupert5130]

Did you stop flying? If not it was pointless.

[@paulgruber6055]

love your videos, the clean style and especially your clear position, that we have to chance our life in western countrys so radical from our prospective now. i miss this sometimes in the debate about this topic pls continue with this fantastic essays, greetings from germany

[@hyperhorion]

I've recently found your channel and I totally love it! Keep the good work up!

[@vve2059]

India is the only country with a population of 1.3 Billion people that has been able to control carbon emissions less than 1.5 Celcius degree and still managed to grow at 4% gdp growth. India is also the founding member of Paris Pact with many european countries. India has shown the world that controlling carbon emissions is a perceived reality.

[@emuriddle9364]

Consumption compensates for 2 things: 1. Expertise 2. Social connections When you don't have a family, you order take-out. When you can't get something fixed, you buy a new item instead. But I guess that was the intention that predator companies had, in the first place.

[@positivegradient]

Good comment

[@Anonymous-123lol]

When he said “don’t eat red meat everyday” I was like well I haven’t eaten meat in 4 years so..... I contribute:) Fish is harder though

[@orbis_studio]

I legit love your videos, it's something I can stand for and I think a change is needed!! Also your video style has inspired mine!

[@maelnelson7179]

So good!! I love the way you abord subjects!

[@tylermacdonald8924]

It should be recognized that these companies need to act just as much, if not more then the people buying from them.

[@timby2383]

all companies care is about profit. when they place some good to hear statements in their advertisement, they're just being chameleons to appear to buyers

[@tylermacdonald8924]

@@timby2383 Yes but they are the ones drilling into the earth and cutting down the forests. They must then be forced to act morally. To fully see the extent of their decisions and be carful of externalities

[@esther_margolis]

I understand that an individual can't make a huge difference, but that is letting everyone off the hook. we personally are "under consuming" by the standards of our community. I've never eaten out, we prepare all our meals at home. Have not been on an airplane in 35 years. 90% of what we spend is for food and other items that get used up (like shampoo etc.). I buy new clothing only when something is completely worn out, meaning maybe 1-2 items per year maximum. and now you are telling me this isn't going to help ? but if everyone did this - how could it not?

[@lawrencetaylor5407]

I've definitely noticed a change since my childhood in the 70s. These include: - people leaving out perfectly good TVs on the sidewalk; I.e. upgrading before the TV wears out - garbage dumpsters in people's driveways. So many want to change the style of their home on a regular basis - appliances lasting 5 years instead of 20 or even 30 - perfectly good furniture being left out for garbage - Of course, pickup trucks and SUVs - Appliances going out of style and being thrown away

[@joriddle1566]

This was a wonderfully illustrated, concise message. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThatFluffis]

no more second houses or eating red meat every day, i'm just trying to make rent and buy vegetables to eat :.)

[@happygimp0]

Vegetables can't replace meat, they do not have enough calories. Beans, grains, lentils and nuts can.

[@adamromero]

If you have the space, consider aeroponic gardens.

[@eben3357]

You'll just increase the prices of the current housing stock and also precipitate unemployment and homelessness.

[@eben3357]

@Sydney Garcia A house is not an average thing. It takes quite a lot of inputs to produce a house. Even a tiny house takes someone to build it. Consider the human population exploded in the past 50 years. It could be the case that there are simply more humans competing for a limited supply of houses, globally. In past centuries clean water and food were blessings, now everyone seems to be aware of possessing cars and houses and many seem to think that is the new standard for human existence.

[@eben3357]

@Sydney Garcia You are being either pedantic or obtuse. If we bring in 'no more second houses' then construction will grind and that will mean unemployment in the construction sector as well as meaning those people who already own property cannot build/own a second house and therefore cannot rent their old house out to tenants.

[@socialistazania5132]

Capitalism and environmental protection are in contradiction with each other...

[@karigrandii]

Also with human rights and equality...

[@superduperfreakyDj]

And yet governments insist on climate policies focused on market mechanisms that in many cases are inherently unjust and discriminatory towards the working class and poc. This goes against the very principles of climate action. Even the green parties of Europe have fallen for the neoliberal trap.

[@TheMagicJIZZ]

You know communism is worse? One of the reasons the Soviet Union collapsed was because of quota's and not natural supply and demand economics. They couldn't produce cars with the same quality as the west had competition. That naturally corrects as companies need to be balance sheet efficiency The Russia today doesn't have the industry it had it in the 80s and 90s where workers HAD to work and HAS to fill quota's based on 5 year plan of Soviet bureaucracy

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

Ok so we have to ruin our economies to save environment. I get it

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

@@karigrandii capitalism is part of human rights.

[@longnewton1]

A very clear and concise summary of what needs to happen in rich countries. The only thing I’d change is that while Government action is important to reducing consumption, relying on capitalist Governments alone to do this is a big risk. There’s a good chance they won’t. At least, that is until it’s too late as they hang on to the notion that we can grow out of the problem with green growth. Despite the South Korean example, this seems to be the current capitalist solution - note John Kerry’s recent pronouncement. We also need a movement against consumption. People need to start living with “just enough”. And this will probably start with individual action. Reduce your own consumption and, if enough people do this eventually this will start to make a difference. I suspect this will start small, but with enough people pushing it and selling the many additional benefits to our individual and collective wellbeing, it will start impact growth eventually forcing Government’s to change because traditional economic stimulus (designed to increase consumption) would no longer work. Maybe I’m a dreamer, hopefully not the only one ...

[@laurenferree7851]

Simply brilliant! You are such a talented writer, and obviously an amazing editor + vfx artist. Well done, per usual! Keep it up ◡̈

[@timfonteyne]

1960's Swiss life? Yes please!

[@nebulous962]

you pretty much just explained why i hate Christmas :D and none of my friends understand me when i try to explain this :D

[@StructuresSimplified]

Such a well researched video with great examples - well done!

[@rooskramer99]

This is such a good and informative video, thanks for supplying the sources as well!

[@pigstain7531]

Next video : Zero Waste Movement Following video : Sustainable Living for individual to adopt

[@user-hw6zh1tp5b]

The red meat thing is largely dependent on the massive monoculture industries that produce feed at unsustainable levels. The 20k liters per pound of meat is mostly irrigation for plants that are planted where they shouldn't be and when they shouldn't be. A cow graizing has a drastically smaller footprint than industrial farmed ones.

[@happygimp0]

Sadly, this is wrong. Grazing cows have a much larger footprint. They need longer to grow, they need more space, they produce more GHG-Emissions and they even need more fossil fuels. Source: Is the Grass Always Greener? Comparing the Environmental Impact of Conventional, Natural and Grass-Fed Beef Production Systems. - Capper JL - Animals : an open access journal from MDPI. 2012 - PMID:26486913

[@samuelallasiagrau1328]

Great video! Very interesting and drammatically important. One thing I noticed: when you say 3 times the current global population (about 23 billion people), I'm pretty sure the paper actually ment 3 times larger than the population in the 1960s (meaning 10 billion people, which aligns with population projections for 2050). Thank you so much for editing these excellent videos!

[@ilse09]

This is one of your best videos till now! Keep up the good work Charlie. Have you ever considered making a video about the circulair economy? I'm curious if you think this is (a part of) the solution of for instance consumerism

[@LocalMotives]

Hoping to live that 1960's Swiss life someday. Excellent video Charlie, as always!

[@yannickgeudens5192]

I kinda prefer this modern age.

[@mAx-grassfed]

loved this vid. Especially when you pointed out that "yout dollar is your vote" is rather undemocratic.

[@El.Duder-ino]

You are so much right - its a message to all who wants more and never have enough!!! Thank you for making this video!

[@ayushpatel9659]

It's really sad looking at proportion of people taking interest in climate change (or at least making themselves aware), despite of the fact that they are actively responsible for it, then a second thought come to mind not all people have equal share in global emission of CO2. An average person living in US, Europe or any developed countries practice much higher consumerism then say a poor man in underdeveloped country, richest 1% responsible for more emissions... then half of humanity. Why? [GOOD JOB SIR, GOOD Channel.]

[@nkanyisoinnocentkhwane3752]

Comments and shares of the video also help boost the video in the algorithm

[@SamueleVitaglione]

while it is certainly true that individuals will never be able to fix the mess created by larger entities such as multinational companies, I also think it's important to culturally keep stressing on individual accountability. After all, decisions in governments and companies' councils are taken by individuals who will each be guided by their moral compass. Individuals that have a strong feeling about their own personal contribution to the climate change will be, I believe, more likely to make better choices if they find themselves in roles of power and leadership.

[@jakobwilmer]

Thanks for a great and important video! It reminded me about the book “Is shame necessary?” by Jennifer Jacquet, with companies’ use of labels to promote “mindful consumerism” and feelings of guilt in the consumer.

[@charlessansone3404]

Such a great video, really hits so many great points brought up in Less is More book

[@Gormag0n]

Don’t be shy, call it ✨capitalism✨ 😌

[@kasym]

I think I lost about 20 brain cells when I spotted this Twitter stannie language

[@wastedlives5736]

@@humanbean7884 Pretty ironic that communism is the system manufacturing it.

[@wastedlives5736]

@@humanbean7884 Absolutely, Communist China manufactures just about everything. Be it authentic name brand product for the west, or knock off and bootleg products to sell in the markets for the hundreds of millions of peoples in other parts of asia/africa/central and south america.

[@wastedlives5736]

@@humanbean7884 I've always believed China just uses Communist symbolism as a pseudo endorsement of the working class. ie. imagery of sicle and hammer. At heart they have a social class system structured around Confucianism. Each class has their role and that role is to support the class above it. If you're born into a cast then generally you don't get out of it. I absolutely agree with you that they are not communist anylonger, rather some kind of new wave national capitalism hybrid.

[@mai.vancon]

@@humanbean7884 Affluenza is the in-between. Capitalism drives consumerism, which drives affluenza.

[@deepikavijakumar9553]

Ways an individual can contribute. 1. Go vegan 2. Minimalism/ Essentialism 3. Re use- reduce- recycle. 4. Opt for sustainable alternatives even for the essentials. 5 use public transport as far as possible. 6. Bicycle for short distance travelling. 7. Effective and responsible waste management. 8. Plant trees which contribute to a positive climate. 9. Rain water harvesting. 10. Usage of solar energy.

[@arunshankars8398]

11. Stop gifting/accepting useless gifts. Accepting gifts leads to a moral obligation to give, and the cycle never ends. 12. Build smaller, better designed homes. 13. Have fewer kids. Not more than 2. 14. Buy eco-friendly products whenever possible. Reject silk, polyethene, meat, dairy, gold. 15. Go digital. Stop your magazine, newspaper subscriptions.

[@Mrcreeperkillerowns]

This video really gets me thinking about how we could solve this climate crisis! Thanks for the amazing work you put into each and every single video man! Keep it up!

[@slimetimerick]

Thank you for the amazing content you create! You are absolutely amazing

[@zohebahmad9633]

I absolutely loved everything about this video and I'm totally going to follow this channel moving forward but I have to respectfully disagree with the idea that governments and companies need to "clean up their mess". I genuinely believe we'd be wasting time convincing them to do anything than spending that time in convincing people to start living a more anti-consumer life (where they effectively live like an average swiss from the 60s with respect to their daily carbon emission). I realize that governments and companies will need to change their mindset just as much as us for there to be real change, which is why I believe change will have to start from us. Man... I loved eating chicken curry everyday but if I gotta let go of it... I gotta let go... All in all, lovely video. And please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@ethanpowell3203]

The sad thing is...it’ll never happen.

[@josesosa3337]

We can try.

[@gabrielbarbosa7882]

@@josesosa3337 I mean, sometimes I have this wish, to either things get better or for things to just end. Idk if either would happen though.

[@SunnyUBC]

Amazing video, great content & concisely delivered

[@ninaweiss9995]

We all have to work TOGETHER and we as Individuals have the power to change, change yourself and you will change the world.

[@klaudelu18]

Charlie, could you paste your script into the 'resources' Notion? I use your videos for my English classes, and it would be lovely if I could have the script in its full format. What I normally do, is I copy it from the video's transcript box and paste it in my own Notion. Then, I start to reformat. It's a chore that takes away from the time I could spend more fruitfully, working on the text, for my students' benefit.

[@PrincessSakuno]

There's this app called Otter and it automatically transcribes, the only thing u will need to do is format it

[@englishbest]

I would just like to thank you, Charlie. Thank you for spreading the word on degrowth because the sooner we engage in it the better. There is no alternative to degrowth. This concerns a dozen or so of the richest countries such as the US, Germany, France, Great Britain and Scandinavia. We need to finally get of the insane addiction to infinite economic growth through excessive consumption. This is sick and it's not what human beings are made for.

[@thumper84]

You can start by quitting your job.

[@mocho849]

Biggest problem in our life time is credit and borrowed spending of government, corporations, and individuals. It is unethical to spend what you don't have. For they do not own the future of their children.

[@hollowfragment237]

Me and my girlfriend agreed together to start saving just so we aren’t stressed about spending money on a few things. We both have a biweekly income of $100 each to spend on outside amenities. We eat at home with food stamps and we are trying to be more price sensitive. We just started so let’s hope it’ll pay off

[@rishabhtripathi64]

You can make another channel where you can teach how you make these video and many one will be interested in it Love from Bharat

[@OurChangingClimate]

I'm (very slowly) working on a course!!!

[@avocadocats9309]

Agreed I'd be interested too

[@rishabhtripathi64]

@@OurChangingClimate thanks for that . will it be free or paid ???

[@Monkeybongoes]

If we don't address population growth, we won't hold off climate catastrophes. And there is no reason to believe we'll do that, certainly not in a timely manner.

[@hughspencer4249]

You are absolutely correct - but in our current culture the issue of population reduction is anathema - yet population growth is the Godzilla in the rather small room. Also, as we have become such an urbanised society, the idea that there is an environment out there which supports us, seems totally lost. The video seems to ignore this world - and we ignore it at our and the other millions of species that inhabit this small planet, peril.

[@kellyhofer]

I really love the vision of the steady state economy. Which may require a period of de-growth to get to a sustainable consumption level and keeps it stable at that.

[@zhanghao5472]

Thank you for bring this awesome video!

[@bryan.w.t]

I have been trying to convince the people around me to try to reduce shopping. They always convince themselves that they need said stuff. While I got trouble for reasoning myself out of things I sorta need and not buying it. And, they would rather to have the short delight of eating red meat everyday than thinking on the long run. I'm struggling to change this mindset

[@evamg21]

There is a problem with living like the Swiss in the 1960ies: The pictures you showed where all from urban areas. I live on the boarder to the rural parts Switzerland. Here some facts what rural Switzerland was like then: - One TV per village - Houses often only had one lightbulb altogether, which was in the living room. A 25 Watts thingy - No washing machine in the whole village (the used public wells) - Cooking with fire stoves (some still have one today because their so used to them from childhood) - About 2 Cars per village. At best. - No heating except for the oven in the living room - Some had running water, but usually only cold and none in winter because the pipes froze - And of course no water toilets - All the kids usually shared the bedroom and often it was two kids per bed. And no, that didn't change just because they grew up. - Providing almost all the food you consume yourself by farming. Only buying sugar, baking soda and so. Selling as much as you can to buy clothes. So yeah. Of course the Swiss didn't use many resources, because a huge chunk of the population were farmers living just like that. Living conditions in rural areas started to improve in the 60ies, but it wasn't until the 80ies/90ies that the last people moved out from such places. Some old people actually still do (veeeery few though).

[@gabrielbarbosa7882]

Honestly, it would still be an improvement for a lot of people.

[@soumiabenrochd1396]

I believe in the power of the masses. If the masses reduce their consumption of unnecessary goods and services, stuff would remain in the stores and less earth resources would be exploited. Yet, I know that big companies have huge responsibility. But how can anyone or anything convince them that earth's well being is more important than profit? They wouldn't care.

[@ndpd7695]

Christmas is literally Jesus' birthday and instead of celebrating it as such we buy presents and spend money on ''each other'' for no reason and as a Christian it kinda hurts seeing us like that we're all just brainwashed to consume

[@Barak911777]

Absolutely amazing video and one that every person in the environmental movement must watch!

[@vicgamesvt9682]

Accepting degrowth can also allow everyone to spend less time working and having less workdays would also mean less commutes. Degrowth is deffinatley one of the things that will be needed to avoid the worst of the climate crisis; it also has the positive of improving equality and possibly QOL.

[@dilipanand1676]

Thank you for sharing in a simple manner and form on this subject matter 😊