I know it’s trendy right now to say that adopting more of an eco-friendly lifestyle is pointless because the only way to save humanity is to destroy capitalism, but we should remember that many of those lifestyle changes help us build skills and social networks that would be important in a post-capitalism future.
For example, if we’re going to end reliance on factory farming, it would really help for more people to learn to garden and grow food. Same for other hands-on skills like cooking, crafts, home repair, tech repair, etc. Even small things like using re-usable water bottles and bags or thrifting/swapping items to cut down on waste would be regular features of a post-capitalist society, so making them more widely practiced now is a great thing.
Systemic changes are necessary for sure, but they *will* involve lifestyle changes too, and it’s important to do your part to create that from the ground up. We don’t get to a better system by destroying the old one, but by building up the new one. 🌱
this is extremely true! capitalism has engaged us in lifestyles that are detrimental to ourselves and our environment. even small changes can help. it’s about changing attitudes; those attitudes then become the driving force behind making the systemic changes that we need!
That said, feeling guilty about your carbon footprint doesn’t help anybody, nor does stressing yourself out trying to adhere to lofty goals of eco-friendliness. Do what you can when you can. Form small habits like reusable grocery bags and water bottles, forgive yourself when you forget to use them, and just keep trying a little bit at a time.
