Comment by great_tankard
5 hours ago
This is a really strange, deterministic view on something we collectively have influence over. That thing about "unintended consequences that [may be] materially worse?" We've actually just quietly folded the materially worse consequences of our behavior into the cost of doing business. Hurricanes are stronger, flooding is worse in coastal cities, fires are worse in arid areas. Fish don't magically make mercury; a significant portion of that comes from burning coal and mining activities.
All of these things are firmly within our control.
So, do you propose we kill off a significant portion of humanity by lottery, war, or some other method of selection? Do we just stop all industry and let nature work itself out instead?
You're in control after all.
edit: sarcasm aside... my entire point is that the guilt itself isn't healthy and does no good for anyone. Yes, there are things that can probably be done, but alarmism, blame and guilt cycles do nothing to help anyone.
They aren't in "our" control, they are in the control of the very wealthy, who will not let the thought of natural disaster and mass extinctions affect their bottom line until there's no resource left for them to exploit.