Comments on: Climate Justice in an Ethically Complex World https://freedomsurvival.org/climate-justice-in-an-ethically-complex-world/ Social movement strategy for a sustainable and democratic society Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:20:45 +0000 hourly 1 By: admin https://freedomsurvival.org/climate-justice-in-an-ethically-complex-world/#comment-1691 Sat, 11 Jan 2025 04:07:06 +0000 https://freedomsurvival.org/?p=1598#comment-1691 In reply to Susan Butler.

Thank you for the comment, Susan! As you said, we can learn–that belief motivates me. I am doing my best to put together tools we can use to cultivate our agency, because I think it’s a worthwhile goal and will help communities in either scenario of transition or collapse.

Aaron

]]> By: Susan Butler https://freedomsurvival.org/climate-justice-in-an-ethically-complex-world/#comment-1676 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:43:23 +0000 https://freedomsurvival.org/?p=1598#comment-1676 Yes, conversations about ethical dilemmas within the climate movement are helpful. Even though we really have very little agency in the matter. We are a biological animal species doing what other animals always do when they find a rich food source –we’re in overshoot. And there will be a die-off, inevitably. There will be an uncontrolled die-off. What we can control is our response to this predicament. The “transition” ain’t gonna happen. It’s a fossil-fuel-based highly industrial “solution.” Right when our highly interdependent industrial civilization is going down. At best, some communities in some areas will survive intact enough to preserve some of the knowledge we have developed. They will start over again with far fewer people, perhaps with a leg-up from our epoch.
The locus of our agency is within our own hearts and minds, and to some extent within our local communities. Anything beyond that is a cringeworthy Punch and Judy show. We are a childish species. But we can learn.
There is no absolute scarcity. But in overshoot there is nothing but scarcity. A mature species avoids overshoot. Reality is a harsh taskmaster.

]]> By: admin https://freedomsurvival.org/climate-justice-in-an-ethically-complex-world/#comment-1490 Mon, 19 Aug 2024 02:25:32 +0000 https://freedomsurvival.org/?p=1598#comment-1490 In reply to Lorna Salzman.

Hi Lorna,

Thank you for your comment. I’m not assuming or saying that all people should bear an equal burden in a rapid transition. One point I’m trying to make is that there is no single answer as to what is just–there are trade-offs with any decision we make. Our standard of justice must recognize that, or we may not be able to build a transition movement that can stick together in the face of hard choices. Also, the wealthiest 10% of the population is responsible for half of today’s emissions, so though the lifestyles of the 1% (who account for a quarter of emissions) stand to change the most from a transition, everyday people in high-income countries would also need to adapt. All attempts to create societies that respect ecological limits will be called unjust by some, and activists who are motivated by the idea of fighting for justice will have to prepare for that.

Aaron

]]> By: Lorna Salzman https://freedomsurvival.org/climate-justice-in-an-ethically-complex-world/#comment-1489 Mon, 19 Aug 2024 01:59:56 +0000 https://freedomsurvival.org/?p=1598#comment-1489 Why do you assume that everyone, regardless of income or wealth, should bear an equal burden in shifting away from fossil fuels? If you believe in ethics in real life, then confront the fact that the 1% obscenely wealthy humans contribute more to climate change than poor workers earning a minimum wage?
How can you talk about a transition without assigning proper blame and costs on those who consume the most: the rich? Get real.

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