One of the messages I have consistently strive to convey, largely without success, is the idea that each of us can do our own part regardless of what others are doing.
Can, AND MUST.
Yes, rich people are trashing the planet. Billionaires and private jets yada yada yada.
You and I cannot mitigate of billionaires footprint, or, more to the point, the extremely large consumer footprint of our middle-class friends and neighbors who are REALLY driving the demand via sheer numbers, but that does not exempt us from each doing our own part.
All we can do is what we can do. All each person can do is their share. But we do have to do that share! Nothing exempts us from each doing our share. And the more of us who are striving to do our part, do our bit, the more it will catch on because doing one’s own part will be more normalized.
Whatever your part is, there are no police or government agencies or official measuring stick for that. All you can do is what you can do.
One thing I got wrong in my book is that main stream USA culture defines what school. That’s actually not the case. Rather than saying our dominant culture defines what’s cool, it would be more accurate to say the dominant mainstream USA culture defines what’s normal and necessary.
If you want to help fix things, stop normalizing hyperconsumerism. Instead, through your actions and shares on social media, start to delegitimize hoggish consumption and celebrate thrift and creativity.
There are everyday people right around you who have entire extra houses and cars. Stop celebrating that. There are everyday people right around you who Jetset off to Paris or Dubai for a wedding or their fifth grand-nephew’s soccer pictures. Stop celebrating that. Yes, a big part of doing our part is recognizing what we are socially reinforcing – or not. Social norms are a more powerful influence on the planet than almost any other force.