Max's Blog

In 2019, I wrote ‘Planet Fret 3,’. At the time I was really trying to voice my concerns about the consequences of human actions on our planet. Back then, I concentrated on what appeared to be the unchecked use of oil and plastic, allied as well to the throwaway culture that dominated our society. It was disconcerting to consider the irreversible harm we were causing through our lifestyles.

Four years later, as we move towards 2024, things have barely changed, regrettably, our political leaders seem to be failing to steer us in a direction that truly benefits future generations. If anything we are digging a larger hole for our descendants, daily. Profit and the stock market being a primary driver of in-action.

The US, in particular, is divided on the issue of climate change, Back in 2019 the president was the leader of the bat shit crazy climate change deniers. It seemed that every day he was denying its existence and doing everything possible to undo any good that prior, slightly less insane, presidents may have done to mitigate the worst. Climate change really had become a matter of political affiliation and belief, aligning with certain religious factions. It was disgusting to witness the environment being manipulated for political gains. Even more so to see that ‘Christians’ were standing up and basically saying that there is wrong with destroying the environment.

The environmental impact of our modern lifestyle should be a major concern. The persisting idea that everyone should own a car, even if it sits idle for around 95% of its life, remained. Furthermore, our continued reliance on coal and fossil fuels for energy generation was, and remains, a glaring issue. Our inability to manage waste and our excessive use of plastics had already reached critical levels. The sight of massive plastic islands adrift in our oceans was nothing short of tragic.

Our oceans have absorbed so much plastic waste that we’d created immense garbage patches, the most notorious being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Cleaning up this environmental disaster will require colossal and extremely expensive efforts.

The presence of microplastics in our diets remained an alarming issue, with potential health implications that should not be ignored.

The environmental impact of our consumer-driven, profit-oriented lifestyle was undeniable. Plastics were pervasive, and avoiding them had become increasingly challenging. From our lunchtime salads wrapped in plastic to each ingredient individually sealed in cellophane, the convenience and longevity of plastic packaging leads to excessive waste.

Ultimately, the root of this problem lay in our consumer demand for freshness and convenience, which often led to more packaging.

The crux of the issue remained financial. In 2019, over 99% of the world’s wealth was concentrated in the hands of less than 1% of the population. Furthermore, just 62 individuals possessed as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population, approximately 3.6 billion people. These very individuals who hoarded wealth were often reluctant to address global issues because doing so could impact their profits.

The wealthier you are, the less likely you are to consider your environmental footprint. Affluent individuals often engaged in fuel-inefficient travel, live in large energy-consuming homes, and indulged in other behaviors that significantly contributed to their carbon footprints.

The issue extends beyond the United States. Coal industries in other countries, such as China and Australia, continue to burn coal, despite the known environmental consequences. The powerful coal lobby has enormous financial influence and has continued to steadfastly protected its interests.

So, as 2023 draws to an end, how can we address these challenges?

Here’s an updated idea: Let’s incentivise those with substantial wealth and political power to take action to reverse the harm to our planet. Additionally we should consider imposing taxes on industries responsible for significant environmental damage, particularly plastics and fossil fuels.

How about we introduce a rule that states a ‘clean-up tax’ should amount to 50% of revenue and 100% of profits, assuming any profits are left once the environmental costs are considered ?

To address wealth inequality, we should implement a substantial inheritance tax on wealth beyond a modest threshold, directing the excess money toward environmental causes. These causes should encompass ocean plastic clean-up, waste recycling, CO2 reduction and capture projects, environmental education, and clean energy research.

The details need require careful consideration, especially those for gifting and transferring wealth.

The fundamental principle should be to ensure that this money doesn’t return to the general taxation funds, but is rather utilised for the betterment of our planet and the well-being of future generations.

In 2023, there are few things more deserving of our financial resources than the health of our planet and the welfare of those who will inherit it.

Beyond that, we need to look at our lifestyles. Many people think that a single individual cannot effect change, but I challenge that. if you make changes and you pass on the message through your actions, others will follow and the more that follow, the bigger the impact.

Here are a few ideas to reduce your Environmental impact footprint..

1. Energy Efficiency: Improve the energy efficiency of your home by upgrading insulation, using energy-efficient appliances, and sealing drafts. This reduces the energy required for heating, cooling, and electricity. This saves you money in the long run too !
2. Renewable Energy: If possible, invest in or use renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines. There are many incentives and subsidies for renewable energy installations and again, in the long term, you save money – most power companies will even buy your excess power.
3. Transportation: Opt for public transportation, carpooling, biking, walking, or using electric vehicles (EVs) instead of traditional petrol or diesel cars. If you drive, maintain your vehicle to improve fuel efficiency. Make sure the tires are correctly inflated too.
4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Minimize waste by reducing, reusing, and recycling materials. This reduces the energy required to manufacture new products and decreases landfill emissions.
5. Dietary Choices: Consider reducing meat and dairy consumption, especially red meat, and eat more plant-based foods. The livestock industry is a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
6. Sustainable Travel: When traveling, choose eco-friendly transportation, stay in green hotels, and be mindful of your carbon footprint. Offset your emissions through programs that plant trees or invest in renewable energy projects.
7. Energy-Efficient Appliances: Use energy-efficient appliances and turn them off when not in use. Unplug chargers and devices that draw power in standby mode.
8. Water Conservation: Reduce water use because energy is required to heat and treat water. Fix leaks and install water-saving fixtures. Take a shower over a bath and do not stay in there for hours too.
9. Buy Local and Seasonal: Support local produce and products to reduce the emissions associated with transportation and storage. Seasonal foods are often more sustainable.
10. Green Building Design: If building or renovating a home or business, consider eco-friendly building materials and energy-efficient design, such as passive solar heating and natural ventilation.
11. Carbon Offsets: Consider investing in carbon offset programs that support projects like reforestation, renewable energy, and methane capture to compensate for your remaining carbon emissions.
12. Advocate for Climate Policies: Support and vote for policies and regulations that promote sustainability, renewable energy, and emissions reduction at the local, national, and global levels.
13. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about climate change and share your knowledge with friends and family to inspire collective action.
14. Reduce Air Travel: Air travel has a significant carbon footprint. Consider alternatives like train or video conferencing when possible.
15. Minimize Single-Use Plastics: Single-use plastics contribute to carbon emissions during production and disposal. Reduce your use of them. Please.
16. Reduce Food Waste: Food waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Be mindful of portion sizes and use leftovers.
17. Sustainable Fashion: Choose sustainable and ethically produced clothing and consider second-hand or vintage shopping.
18. Support Green Businesses: Support businesses that prioritize sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint.
19. Community Engagement: Get involved in local environmental organizations and community initiatives focused on reducing CO2 emissions.
20. Invest Responsibly: Consider investing in companies that have strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

Reducing your CO2 footprint requires a combination of individual actions and broader systemic changes. It’s important to remember that collective efforts and policy changes are necessary to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.