How Does Lifestyle Makes A Negative Impact On Climate Change?

Obsessing over every single lifestyle choice we make isn’t going to solve the climate crisis.

Whether it is throwing away a disposable coffee cup or not sorting out the recycling properly, most of us have experienced eco-guilt at some point-particularly as the climate crisis becomes ever more urgent. What is eco-guilt?

Unfortunately, our eco-guilt-the self-reproach we feel when we have done something bad for our planet. It is not helping the situation. It can lead to a sense of paralysis.

Considering just how difficult it is to live in an eco-friendly way right now. the obsession over each choice we make also distracts us from the bigger picture. If we are going to tackle the climate crisis within the timeframe needed. That's within the next decade, the world needs to fundamentally change.

It is impossible to live sustainably today

While it is true that studies have found that eco-guilt can lead to some positive changes in behaviour such as using reusable water bottles or eating less meat or not, if possible. it is not likely to keep you motivated and seems sustainable in the long term.

You can't rely on guilt to spark a set of lifestyle changes, it tends to be very short one-off things.

Researchers have suggested that eco-guilt can do more harm than good. It can make people believe they can buy their way out of the climate crisis if goods are marketed as being eco-friendly when the ultimate goal should be consuming less overall. Striving to cancel the guilt from harmful' deeds by avoiding taking too hot showers or driving vehicles that run on 'sustainable fuel' might make people take the car to work more often.

Eco-guilt can also make people, who are highly concerned about the climate crisis, feel they can't join the environmental movement.

We need to focus on systemic change

We need a large number of people involved in the climate movement as a unity. Instead of concentrating simply on individual lifestyle change can make a big difference.

That could mean getting involved in your local environmental group or joining online campaigns such as the Fossil Free movement. It also puts pressure on politicians to implement green policies and laws that will lead to widespread change-whether that is investing in renewable energy, electrifying our transport system, or introducing a carbon tax designed to incentivize companies to reduce CO2 emissions.

Focusing on how these actions can create wider social changes, instead of trying to be the most eco-friendly consumer possible, will have a much greater impact.

Sum up: Enough eco-guilt. Focus on the positive change we can all make together to address the climate crisis times running out.