Quote:
Originally Posted by rwthomas1
See, here's the problem. I already live a very simple life. I have a small house, old cars, no debt, etc. I have, by US standards and quite likely European standards, etc. an already low impact lifestyle. You think its okay if "we" all "pay a little more" for our food. I already do that by buying local, farm coop, etc. I've heard this all before. Pay a "little more" for my food, my electricity, my fuel, healthcare, etc. etc. I already pay enough. I'm the guy that said, yeah, I'd put a gun to my head if I had to eat vegetarian. Actually, I'd just go get my meat myself, not eat beans of not eat at all, like I said.
If you are naive enough to think that the "world" wouldn't choose themselves over you, any minute of any day of the week, then have that nice plate of beans. India, China, etc. will still be there, working hard to "be like us" even long after even "WE" are no longer like that. Think about that.
RT
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1. I don't think that paying a little more for anything is the solution. I think that reducing consumption and the environmental impact of that consumption is important. Assessing the true costs of the things we consume and including those costs in the selling price would be one way to encourage reduced and sustainable consumption by using market forces instead of pure regulation. If you are already living a simple, low-impact life I wouldn't expect there to be much cost increase, if any, to you from this proposal.
2. I don't understand why you place so much importance on eating meat that you'd sooner die than give it up. If that's how you feel, fine. I haven't eaten meat (other than fish) in over twenty years. It doesn't even seem like food to me anymore but you can bet your ass that I'd be eating meat sooner than starving to death or killing myself. My point in my original post was that despite your rather extreme position, I believe you'd change your tune after ONE DAY of hunger. You'd be eating beans a lot sooner than starving to death. Maybe I'm wrong about you, it doesn't really matter.
3. The world may choose themselves over me, and I may choose myself over them. But we're all in one boat now. This planet earth is a lifeboat filled to overflowing with people. The choices I make regarding a low-impact lifestyle are every bit as much for me and my loved ones as they are for the rest of the world. Unfortunately for me and everyone else, the selfish and high-impact choices that many others make also affect me, my loved ones, and everyone else. That will have to change. It will change either by conscious and relatively palatable means by people working together, or it will change in chaotic and catastrophic ways when the planet's support systems begin to collapse. Not only will there be very painful natural events, but there will be wars over the remaining resources.