Will we look back at today's "go green" initiatives as stupid and inadequate? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by CaspianXI@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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When I was in elementary school, the cafeteria switched to disposable plastic trays because the paper ones hurt trees. Stupid, I know... but are today's initiatives any better?

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[-] jetsetdorito@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The paper vs plastic thing sucks because both are bad. Paper needs trees to be cut down and single use plastics are horrible for the environment

[-] TugOfWarCrimes@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago

At least paper can be produced through sustainable farming practices and any waste is almost entirely biodegradable.

But I do agree that the debate sucks. What we should really be doing is forcing corporations and governments to 1. Adhere to very strict sustainability levels and 2. Pay for clean up efforts out of the salaries of their board of directors. Any corporation that declares a profit or gives a bonus to someone in managment without meating their sustainability requirements results in large fines for the company as well as every individual member of the board of directors. And anyone who claims they can't pay within 12 months is given jail time and stripped of all assets instead.

Sounds harsh, sure. But till we start holding them accountable, it's not going to matter how many people are using reusable plastic shopping bags or soggy paper straws. It's not going to make any difference

[-] Aqarius@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I mean, in theory, dumping paper into a landfill is a carbon sink

[-] hellothere@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

Which is essentially what happened to create coal in the first place, kinda sorta.

this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2023

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