A fixation on system change alone opens the door to a kind of cynical self-absolution that divorces personal commitment from political belief. This is its own kind of false consciousness, one that threatens to create a cheapened climate politics incommensurate with this urgent moment.
[…]
Because here’s the thing: When you choose to eat less meat or take the bus instead of driving or have fewer children, you are making a statement that your actions matter, that it’s not too late to avert climate catastrophe, that you have power. To take a measure of personal responsibility for climate change doesn’t have to distract from your political activism—if anything, it amplifies it.
Exactly! We can’t blame these companies and then buy their stuff and deflect all responsibility.
It’s sort of a cycle that runs on apathy, ignorance, and lack of empathy.
Powerful groups manipulate and coerce people and markets
Manipulated, coerced people buy more of what they are pushed to
Consumer votes in leaders that support this exploitative cycle making laws facilitating companies manipulating and coercing their behavior
We need to break out of this cycle by conscientiously rejecting this manipulation, buying less, voting, running for office, etc. (i.e. degrowth)