This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/collapse by /u/Konradleijon on 2025-09-19 17:47:59+00:00.

The issue of climate inaction

Behavioural economics is key to understanding the inaction.

Climate change is The Prisoners Dilemma in action. Collectively, the whole world would be better off if we joined together to solve this, but if only some countries do, then they become less competitive than the ones who do the wrong thing. So no one does anything significant.

I have heard the argument here that Ireland is so miniscule in terms of global impact that it makes no difference what we do here. But every country can see things that way, so we all end up absolving ourselves of accountability.

It’s also human nature to worry more about today than a far off future we cannot imagine. It’s why most people don’t start seriously thinking about their pension until their 40s. That’s also the marshmallow test in action.

It’s also down to election cycles. Politicians need to make promises that will impact people today, and deliver on them in a small number of years.

People care about climate change theoretically, but in practice, they don’t want it to negatively impact anything for themselves. Similar to bus connects or housing projects here. Everyone wants better public transport and more housing, but no one wants it outside their own door, ot to lose a bit of their front garden.

The irony is that I have found it’s the people who have more kids that seem to care less about the world they are leaving for them.

It’s very depressing.