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Don't even get me started on this topic. It's tragic and no one really cares. Everyone says they do, but they don't. They still queue up to buy the latest iphone or to upgrade their TV to a bigger one when the one they have at home is still perfectly ok but doesn't have enough pixels. People want every one else to obey rules and adhere to recommendations but they themselves want to be exempt because they're special. It would be funny if it wasn't so awful. People are cashing in perfectly good cars because they fancy a change, buying things they need but just want. Buying things that can't be repaired but will have to thrown away, but they don't mind because then they can go for a whole new look and get something new. The level of consumption is verging on criminal. And everyone says they're doing their bit and they will cut back but they just need a new phone, a new fleece, a new car................... The list is endless. We've lived off grid for 12 years, I drive a car that's older than me. We have a 4K TV but we only bought it after our 10 year old one broke down. A few years ago I stopped allowing friends of friends to come and see our self sufficient set up because in all the years I had been showing people who'd asked to see it around, not one, NOT ONE, of them went off grid. I was wasting my breath for all those years. And I'm a long way from perfect. We have a tiny carbon footprint but then I fly to Europe regularly so that blows it out the window. But I'm doing my best. And at least we're trying and make good and consistent decisions based on our beliefs. But the bottom line with saving the planet is that it's hard and it requires personal sacrifices and for most people it will require them to lower their standard of living and that's why people won't ever do it voluntarily. So we will all jump off the cliff together. The only way that catastrophe can be avoided is through hard and non negotiable legislation and that won't happen any time soon because it would be political suicide to any political party that had it on it's manifesto. We're screwed. And just before I climb down from my soap box - switching to LED lightbulbs will not save the planet, nor will diligent recycling. People need to commit to a hard and fast reversal of consumerism. If you are reading this and wondering how you can do your bit, the answer is to stop buying things. Buy nothing. Buy new clothes when your old clothes wear out. Limit yourself to 3 pairs of jeans and x number of tops, one coat, 2 jumpers, 3 pairs of shoes - whatever is a reasonable number for you - and stick to it. Clothes last ages if cared for. Do not buy any more until you can't repair your old ones any more. Do you need new homewares? Probably not. If you need a new coffee mug, how about buying a second hand one from a charity shop. We don't need to live in co-ordinating houses with matching china.
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Those who got it wrong, for whatever reason, may feel defensive and retrench into a position that doesn’t accord with the facts.
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