To wonder why I bother worrying about my carbon footprint?

[JoxerGoesToStuttgart]

Because I do. I have been conscious of how I live for years with respect to the impact it has on the rest of the world. I don’t buy new clothes for myself at all and only essential items for DC are new from a shop. I’ve reduced our meat consumption, I shop local for as much as possible, I don’t holiday, I drive only for work and journeys I can’t make on foot or by public transport (transport here is not good!) I recycle like my life is in the balance. I make gifts where possible rather than buy tat. I make gift wrappings, I charity shop for things I need, I don’t buy anything without thinking of what impact it has in the wider scheme of things. I know lots of people are far better at it than me too by the way and there’s still room for improvement on my part.

But I am regularly in contact with people where I have insight into their spending habits and how they live generally. Wealthy people who have several gas guzzlers on the drive and who “don’t bother with all that recycling nonsense”, who holiday long distance every other month and have whole rooms dedicated to their new clothes and handbags and shoes, much of which never even has the tag removed, people who pour toxic chemicals down all their drains every day because a woman on YouTube did a video, people who buy dogs like they’re a nice bag, who have dinner parties that involves half of what’s cooked being binned.

On tv today holly and Phil (I don’t watch it- a client had it on) were showcasing some (hideous) fashion boots. More plastic crap shipped from factories across the world they’re encouraging people to buy- and they will. And I’m sure on another episode H&P did a very serious face each when discussing client change all lip service.

People don’t actually care. Yeah- a few of us are doing our bit but in reality no-one is interested in actually changing anything are they? People are still going to go to topshop and buy that polyester top for one night out where they’ll order too much food that will go to waste and drink lots of alcohol and maybe do a line or two as well. People are still going to breed their dogs and create oodles more puppies. People are still going to go on and have that 4th baby to “complete” their family and their only concern is whether granny will still give them free childcare.

Sorry. I’m rambling. I’m just wondering why the hell I bother even caring when it doesn’t seem like anyone else does. The planets fucked anyway.

With 1 billion Chinese and almost 1 billion Indians yes we're fucked....until you convince that QUARTER of the world to be environmentally friendly we have no chance..... extinction rebellion are literally protest party goers and nothing more.

I’ve read this Op word for word before.
So much so that I’ve double checked the date.

Good username! !

Yes! You’re right. I’ve told myself that before and then brushed it away convincing myself that “well at least I’m doing my part” will make a difference. It makes sod all difference. Not even a drop in the ocean.

Live and let live, it's not worth getting stressed over. You can't control what others do.

Well this is the first time ive written it so I don’t think you have de ja vu?

I don’t worry one bit about my carbon footprint, and I cannot bear pious celebrities preaching on about it - let’s be honest here, it’s not your auntie who likes to go to Tenerife once a year who’s the problem.

Americans aren't really bothered either. So that's another third of the world that aren't really bothered. So my swapping soaps, etc is just a drop in the ocean.

Totally agree OP. It doesn’t matter what we do we will never be able to fix the problems ourselves. I can’t stand those snobby bastards that roar round the countryside in big gas guzzlers thinking the world is someone else’s problem. Spending more in an hour than I earn in a week on stuff they don’t need to keep up with the joneses.
Let’s just hope enough of us can get together to sort America’s and China’s heavy industry out and make the world a better place.
I have my doubts if that’s actually possible but I’ll keep doing my bit anyway.

To be honest I too have started to worry I try to walk everywhere now I used to use my car 7 days a week now I only use it once a week. I think it’s for my own conscience that I know I’m doing my bit & trying. I started to recycle like mad & try to use products where you can recycle but your right op, it’s going to take a lot to fix & until everyone is on board we aren’t going to win

Let’s just hope enough of us can get together to sort America’s and China’s heavy industry out and make the world a better place.
I have my doubts if that’s actually possible but I’ll keep doing my bit anyway.

Yes I don’t think it’s possible either. I’m going to keep doing what I do. I’ll never be a big consumer. But I’m going to give myself a break from having it affect every aspect.