World of Carbon - Greenhouse gas and citizenry - A Second Take : Ramesh Shrestha

World of Carbon

Greenhouse gas and citizenry – A second take

by Ramesh Shrestha

The media on climate change is filled with buzz words such as Green energy, Zero emission, Carbon neutral, Carbon footprints, Climate emergency, Climate justice, Climate action, Renewable energy, Climate conversation, Carbon tax, Green commute, etc. How many ordinary citizens can grasp the meaning of these terminologies that would encourage personal actions leading to reduction in greenhouse gas emission?

Governments are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission by switching fossil fuel-based energy to renewable sources. The current focus is on energy storage, meaning large capacity batteries to be connected to power distribution lines and batteries for electric vehicles. On the face value it looks like a good idea. But manufacturing batteries require lithium, zinc, cobalt, sulfur and other rare earth minerals depending on type of battery. These minerals are found in specific geographic locations and comes in finite quantity. In addition, excavating and processing of these minerals requires a whole new set of chemical processes with millions of tons of chemical waste, which deteriorate air, soil and water echo systems. The end result – air pollution and contaminated water into river systems and oceans.

The industry gurus believe that ‘Individuals can’t solve the climate crisis. Governments need to step up; call for greater individual responsibility actually risks becoming detrimental to the cause’ says Anders Levermann. ‘Individual behaviour change isn’t actions – it is distraction; it shifts the blame from the actual causes of climate change to fake ones, and shifts attention away from meaningful action to meaningless and psychological ones’ says Jay Michaelson, an environmentalist. Another environmentalist, Martin Lukacs writes ‘the emphasis on smaller personal actions can actually undermine support for the substantive policies needed.’ This kind of environmentalism is dangerous to say the least. The governments must detach from such environmentalists and policy advice from fossil fuel barons.

These arguments are false and relieves individual from their responsibility. Taking individual responsibility may not be enough to suppress greenhouse gas emission but it certainly is a starting point. Government policies are necessary but what good would it do if the individuals ignore the policies and do not take individual responsibilities.

People have been dependent on energy ever since the discovery of fire. Energy is generated for the consumers – individuals, communities and industries. Hence, individuals must play a role in managing energy through optimal consumption behaviour. Encouraging individual behaviour change does not distract or weaken national climate policies. It strengthens the government efforts.

Youth in many countries are becoming aware of the impacts of climate change; the most notable one being Fridays for Future. The focus is to put pressure on the government for a climate policy. It is time for the youth also to start discussion on consumer behaviour, especially in mid and high-income countries where per capita greenhouse gas emission is highest. It is a simple math; lower demand on energy will reduce lower energy production!

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