Sunday, 19 January 2025

Dumping It On 'The Net Zero Hero'?

 


Net Zero Heroes are lauded for prominently fitting solar panels on their houses and/or buying electric cars. For some folk, these 'climate warriors'  prove motivational, even driving grassroots movements. In others, however, they induce helplessness and disengagement, rather empowerment.  A University of Sydney study finds the way the energy sector shapes the narrative, ensures net zero heroes will fail. Individual actions can never be sufficient, That study also opines, that placing responsibility on the consumer, is a ploy. It's a device used by energy producers and governments, to downplay the significant contributions, they need to make to achieve emissions reduction goals (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/19/net-zero-hero-myth-unfairly-shifts-burden-of-solving-climate-crisis-onto-individuals-study-finds). Dumping responsibility on to the consumer isn't new. It's the consumer's fault, our environments are awash with soft drink cans, beer bottles, plastic wrapping, fast-food containers, used disposable vapes, 'forever chemicals' etc., etc. It never seems to be up to businesses to spend some of their profits, a) clearing up the mess they have effectively created and/or b) finding ways of avoiding it!

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Quid Pro Quo?

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