Chapter 1: The Quest for Emission-Free Living

Is it truly feasible to live without emissions? For many, this might seem unattainable, but there's a more significant issue than merely tracking one's carbon footprint.

Imagine a world where reliance on fossil fuels is not a necessity. The reality is that as individuals in a population of 7.9 billion, our influence over how products are manufactured and how energy is generated is minimal. Often, we find ourselves navigating through life as mere observers of these processes.

Most people would agree that they do not wish to see businesses ravaging the planet for profit. If you share this concern, now is the time to voice it.

Consider living on an organic farm, where your heating comes from a wood stove, and there’s no electricity or hot water. You’d grow your own food, raise livestock such as chickens and horses, and manage everything without modern machinery. This is how my father lives. While he does own a truck, it’s rarely used. His lifestyle is not entirely emissions-free, but he comes close. If one were to compare his emissions with the amount absorbed by his trees through photosynthesis, he would appear carbon negative. However, the customers who drive to his farm contribute to what we call scope 3 emissions, something my father has little control over. Our economy has been built on the foundation of fossil fuel consumption, and as long as fossil fuels remain profitable, their use will persist.

I’m not suggesting you adopt my father’s lifestyle. Personally, I found it challenging to live that way for even a week. What’s crucial is that you communicate to others, especially policymakers, your desire to reduce emissions over allowing oil companies to thrive.

Section 1.1: The Illusion of Corporate Sustainability

You might believe that strides are being made towards mitigating climate change, especially when large corporations tout their sustainability initiatives. However, history has shown us that significant progress can be reversed. Take, for instance, the 1990 California Zero Emissions Car Mandate, which was designed to push American automakers to produce a greater number of zero-emission vehicles starting in 1998. Initially, electric vehicles gained popularity, but the mandate was ultimately scrapped due to lobbying efforts, leading companies like GM to focus on producing gas-guzzling Hummers instead.

Businesses do not always cater to consumer demands. As Steve Jobs once pointed out, consumers often don’t know what they truly want. While his insights on technology were accurate, I hesitate to trust the CEOs of fossil fuel companies in the same way.

As individual consumers, we possess limited power to effect change in such a vast industry. To protect our planet from climate-related disasters, stronger governmental regulations are essential. Your influence lies in choosing who formulates those regulations.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Reality of Emissions

It’s unrealistic to expect the total elimination of emissions. Factors like livestock emissions make this a daunting task. Fortunately, we have trees and oceans that help absorb carbon, but their capacity is limited, and ongoing environmental degradation hampers their effectiveness.

Reputable climate scientists agree that the initial step towards achieving net-zero emissions—where emissions produced are equal to those absorbed—is to minimize emissions as much as possible. British Petroleum attempted to shift the onus onto individuals with their concept of the carbon footprint, suggesting that if we all made small changes, such as reducing driving or conserving energy, we could halt global warming.

However, the reality is that individuals are not the primary culprits. Despite my own efforts—living without a car, consuming minimal meat, and residing in a small space—emissions continue to rise. Wealthier nations contribute more to climate change, but the core issue remains that our economy relies on fossil fuels, which continue to be highly profitable.

Chapter 2: Navigating the Path to Net-Zero

Recently, I’ve embarked on establishing a mulled wine business, drawing inspiration from the Gluhwein enthusiasts in Germany. My goal is for this venture to maintain net-zero emissions. However, I’ve discovered that offsetting emissions—paying to remove them from the atmosphere—might be the most viable option as a small business owner. The logistics and manufacturing sectors heavily depend on fossil fuels, making it challenging to eliminate their use entirely.

Achieving a lifestyle free of emissions is nearly impossible. While you could switch to an electric vehicle, utilize renewable energy for your home, and purchase local goods, the hidden emissions embedded in all products and services remain unavoidable. Even electric cars are manufactured using fossil fuels.

This is not to say you shouldn’t strive to reduce your personal emissions—doing so is essential. It would be hypocritical to demand change from businesses without making an effort yourself. However, what’s even more critical than individual actions is expressing your concerns about emissions reduction to anyone willing to listen, particularly those in political power.

As a collective society, we possess the tools, technologies, and knowledge necessary to significantly reduce emissions. Yet, our implementation efforts have not kept pace. Much has been left to the free market, and this dynamic needs to shift.

Naomi Klein’s book, This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate, released in 2014, emphasizes this point, yet substantial change remains elusive. While net-zero targets are set for 2050 and new electric vehicle regulations emerge, many countries are not on track to meet their 2030 commitments.

If you can find and afford options that achieve net-zero, pursue them. For everything else outside your control, avoid self-blame, which only exacerbates climate anxiety. Instead, ensure that your elected representatives understand your desire to combat pollution and endorse policies aimed at emissions reduction. Prioritizing our planet’s well-being must outweigh business interests. If your local politicians are beholden to oil companies, it’s crucial to vote them out. We can no longer allow lobbyists to dictate the future; it’s time for our vision to take precedence.

Chapter 3: The Future of Our Planet

The first video, "THE BIG EV LIE. Why They Won't Save the Planet & All About Dirty Electricity," offers insights into the challenges of electric vehicles and their environmental impact.

The second video, "7 Steps to Fossil Fuel Free Living," provides practical advice for individuals seeking to reduce their fossil fuel reliance and live more sustainably.