Climate activists target jets, yachts and golf in a string of global protests against luxury
Climate activists target jets, yachts and golf in a string of global protests against luxury
Absolutely, targeting activism towards the lifestyles of the rich is a crucial step in addressing the issue of higher CO2 emissions and climate change. It's not about vilifying individuals, but rather recognizing that certain lifestyles contribute significantly to environmental harm.
Focusing solely on the lower and middle class isn't the solution, as they are the ones who often bear the brunt of climate change impacts and economic adjustments. What might be considered "luxury" for them is often just basic necessities, and their livelihoods are directly affected by climate-related changes.
On the other hand, the elite and super elites can afford to make substantial changes to their lifestyles without sacrificing their basic needs. Cutting back on private flights, yachts, and excessive consumption won't significantly impact their quality of life. Their choices to reduce their environmental footprint can send a powerful message and create a domino effect, encouraging positive change on a larger scale.
This doesn't mean demonizing anyone; it's about promoting awareness and responsibility. We need systemic changes, and these should start from the top down. By targeting the source of excessive consumption and promoting sustainable choices among the rich, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone.
Golf? I need to do some research. I'd be lining up more useless garbage like cruise ships, coal energy, gas powered mowers, and all of the 'recyclable' garbage that isn't. Also styrofoam. Fuck styrofoam.
Golf can use a terrible amount of water, plus keeping it mowed, and cutting forests for it. Places like Canada or the UK might be fine if it's not a drought year. But there's golf courses as far as Mexico. There's places in Mexico that is so dry outside of the summer months that golf courses would use a disgusting amount of water to keep the greens... green... there was a golf course in Mexico I went to that only bothered with the putting area and a bit around that. Everything else was dirt. It wasn't that pleasant of an experience because you do kick up dust when teeing off and whatnot. However, no way to lose your ball I suppose. Still, the water they needed just for the putting area must have been disgusting.
we need to change golf so it respects the land the course is built on, and doesn't try to make everything look like scotland. keep the green as-is but make the fairway something that doesn't use water, fits the local landscape (maybe have different solutions for different environments) and is just as playable as fairway grass. leave the out of bounds areas untouched. I think golf could serve to gain from forming itself to the terrain it's played on, rather than the other way around
This is the best summary I could come up with:
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Climate activists have spraypainted a superyacht, blocked private jets from taking off and plugged holes in golf courses this summer as part of an intensifying campaign against the emissions-spewing lifestyles of the ultrawealthy.
Climate activism has intensified in the past few years as the planet warms to dangerous levels, igniting more extreme heat, floods, storms and wildfires around the world.
Tactics have been getting more radical, with some protesters gluing themselves to roads, disrupting high-profile sporting events like golf and tennis and even splashing famous pieces of artwork with paint or soup.
They’re now turning their attention to the wealthy, after long targeting some of the world’s most profitable companies – oil and gas conglomerates, banks and insurance firms that continue to invest in fossil fuels.
“We do not point the finger at the people but at their lifestyle, the injustice it represents,” said Karen Killeen, an Extinction Rebellion activist who was involved in protests in Ibiza, Spain, a favorite summer spot for the wealthy.
He published estimates of top billionaires’ annual emissions in 2021 and found that a superyacht — with permanent crew, helicopter pad, submarines and pools — emits about 7,020 tons of carbon dioxide a year, over 1,500 times higher than a typical family car.
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plugged holes in golf courses
I mean... that's kind of pointless, many courses change hole locations daily anyway.
What the Letzte Generation did on Sylt was way more sensible: Replace hole flags with signs saying "natural reserve" and then plant native trees and flowers everywhere.
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Good. More of this please.
I remember being in LA during the Rodney King Riots in 1992. White people (especially privileged leftists) were all clutching their pearls, wondering why black folks were attacking their innocent Korean merchant neighbors and dragging random white people out of their cars and beating them, instead of going to rich people's neighborhoods and attacking them, or attacking the systems of oppression. Clearly these white folks did not understand how oppression works.
When you're the victim of random violence, and have reached your breaking point, and don't know what else to do, you respond with random violence, against whatever and whomever is nearby.
Black folks in Compton had no way to get to the racist white power structure. It was insulated from their rage.
Can XR act against Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk? The board of Exxon? No way, they're not accessible. So they attack whatever they can reach. The world is burning and they're pissed off. Their targets may or may not make sense strategically. They aren't trying to influence people or win friends. They're just infuriated. Know the difference, try to understand with empathy.
Sorry, but in my book, nothing, absolutely nothing, justifies random violence. Your justification of it sickens me and I'm surprised that you got so upvoted. I've been on the breaking point from things that were happening inside my own home as a kid, but I never took it on my little brother, or other kids. Instead, I was taking it against the actual aggressor (my father), even if it resulted in more beatings and hairline broken jaws, and put the knife, or the gun on my head. So, yes, I've been through some shit myself. But I protected my brother and my mother as much as I could. Doing random violence, as you described it, against people who might have their own cross to bear is not justified. EVER.
And yes. They CAN act against Bezos, Musk, and the board of Exxon. They can easily find where these people are, paparazzis certainly can. Every second day we have pictures of Bezos with his darling gf. Get organized so the locals can take it against him when he visits somewhere. But you don't act against your fellow citizen who is also a victim of oppression and climate change, or destroy classic works of art. What kind of BS is that??
you are confusing explanation with justification, which is very common in social media and social world. The comment was more in line with social scientific explanation of HOW the random violence occurs, not saying that they are morally right. The ideological reality of north americans is a very distorted political, economic and social perception that clouds their minds, and confuses the correct ideas of cause and effect, and who has agency and responsibility for what. It is like if you were raised by everyone outside your family that the actions of your father are the result of the family dinamic , or a shared blame with the mother and children. Then your mind would not cognitively or intelectually process that your father was the agressor responsible for the situation, and you absolutely could lash out at your siblings or other kids.
Pointless, but better than blocking roadways.
Ah yes protests against the rich have never been useful before
There's an enormous gap between private jets & yachts, and golf. Most cities have municipal golf courses that are affordable and they even rent out clubs. Golf is a relaxing sport that preserves green spaces that would otherwise be parking lots. I've seen a lot of hate against golf on this site already though, so I guess it's fashionable to hate it now.
It wouldn't necessarily be a parking lot though would it? That's just convenient for your argument. The truth is it would be extra easy and cheap to turn golf courses into public parks, with local trees and flowers instead of water guzzling grass. That would improve weather events, wildlife and human lives' quality in the area.
When I was in Africa they wanted to tear down a huge forest to build a golf course so tourists would come
Golf in the desert is a ridiculous luxury, even if it's city-owned. They tell us not to flush our toilets, but dump gallons per hour into those short little greens.
True, but golf in the PNW, or tropical areas is almost self-maintaining for watering.
"The yachts are just a small issue, focuse on the bigger issues first!" Said the yacht owner.
"There are so little private jets, you should focuse on bigger issues first!" Said the jet owner.
There's an enormous gap between private jets & yachts, and golf. Most cities have municipal golf courses that are affordable and they even rent out clubs. Golf is a relaxing sport that preserves green spaces that would otherwise be parking lots. I've seen a lot of hate against golf on this site already though, so I guess it's fashionable to hate it now.
Said the golf player.
"Green spaces" A golf course is basically a giant lawn. That space would be better as a park with actual trees and shit for everyone else that doesn't give a shit about golf.
You make a compelling point. I think my hatred of golf is perhaps reactionary.
Why?
Could you give them a moment? They have to get Bezo's dick out of their mouth.
You should go live in a super hot country without AC. Then talk.
Nice, seems like we're finally getting to the point where we stop blaming the common people for climate change.
Also, this seems like a much, MUCH better PR move than throwing paint at masterpieces in fucking museums.
I don't know who thought that was something that would have moved the public opinion towards their cause.
Well it did seem to do a good job bringing attention to their cause. And, the worst damage incurred over the dozens of demonstrations was some minor frame damage. Imo it was kind of a brilliant scheme to get worldwide attention for the price of some tomato soup
They were throwing paint into corporate offices and CEO's cars at the same time. The media chose to put the art vandalism on blast. I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out the art vandalism was the idea of a corporate mole.
Ok, I'll give you a choice!
What great choices you have!
Half the world could switch to a plant-based diet and it would barely make a dent
Our part is teeny tiny compared to corporations
You fell for the propaganda.
The 1% do more damage to the planet than consumer habits could ever hope up mitigate.
If you feel better making what you see as more sustainable life choices I fully support it and more power to you. But the reality is that it doesn't matter whether or not we eat meat, sort your recycling, or bring our canvas bags to the grocery store.
Found the vegan.
Some people need to eat meat: Like my room mate who has mass cell activation.
Also many indigenous peoples have dishes that involve meat. They are not apart of this problem.
Frankly there are a lot of reason to eat meat. If I go out and shoot my own deer and butcher it and cook it this does not effect the climate the same way as buying beef of the shelf.
And while beef is particularly resource and land intensive so are many vegetables you see at grocery stores.
Do you eat avocados? Because most avocados grown in mexico are done under control by violent cartels.
Many people probably should eat less meat. But acting like EVRYONE can do this is wrong on many fronts.
If you want to be a vegetarian please do. But lets stop acting like its a real solution to climate change or even a option for many people. It isnt.
and we NEED to demand that they are made using green energy. The price incentives offered by the US government now are so fucking insane that the only thing keeping these companies from making a change is whatever fossil companies can offer them.
Just ..... You already know what you have to eat to mitigate this horror. And it ain't plants, friend.
That's a myth, plant based diet won't change shit.
Both can be at fault and yes billionaires are worse but that's not excuse for others to do nothing whatsoever
Edit: guessing the downvoters got mad when their moms asked them to clean their rooms. To even suggest they bear any responsibility is offensive apparently
Yeah! As long as it's not our fault!
The buck stops anywhere but here!
I mean the "common people" are to blame. The 1% doesn't live in a vacuum.
Do billionaires carry a significantly larger portion of that blame? Yes. But we're all on this gaseous rock together. Them being at fault doesn't mean you can't do your part. They couldn't do what they do if the people weren't buying the shit they're selling.