Hi I’m Serge, and I’m a Polluter

This is where you acknowledge me, and give me permission to tell my story (“Hi Serge…”).

During this hypothetical 12-step recovery meeting, you–yes you!–have either already acknowledged your own pollution addiction and told your story, or you will do so later on when it is your turn.  Every single person on this earth is in the meeting, so this might take awhile…

And yes, EACH OF US on the planet must acknowledge our individual role in the deleterious effects of pollution.  We cook and eat, we wear clothes, we control our surroundings in the built environment, we travel from place to place, we receive medical care, we use devices that polluted during a manufacturing or shipping process, and we use polluting energy for many other purposes.  Some of us are more egregious polluters than others.  I admit to greater pollution in my life than most other humans on the planet.

Zooming out to Low Earth Orbit, our multi-faceted addictions have massive geopolitical effects.  The world’s addiction to nicotine still fuels the tobacco economy in the US Southeast;  Americans’ addiction to drugs produced around the world creates a powerful demand signal that drives damaging behaviors and conflicts.  The addictions you and I harbor should be managed and reduced.

Pollution supply chains around the world are especially devastating; oil produced in the Middle East supplies an oil addiction in Asia.  Wood pellets produced in the United States are burned to deliver bioenergy in Europe.  Pollution addiction is irresistible to suppliers, and suppliers all over the world mobilize to fill the demand you and I create.  Pollution suppliers enable our own addictions.

My own addiction to pollution can be managed, but not eliminated:  I can eat less-polluting food, manage my built environment more wisely, recycle packaging materials, avoid using fertilizer on my lawn, fly on airplanes less frequently and more efficiently, and so forth.  Through a combination of better awareness and careful behavioral change, I can take steps to control my own pollution.  

I can also require my suppliers to deliver the benefits I think I need, but require them to do so with less pollution. Through my government I can require more fuel-efficient automobiles, or require electric vehicles;  Through my Public Utilities Commission I can require my electricity provider to deliver more energy from renewables.  Through other companies I can require cleaner packaging materials and longer-lasting products.

Whether I rely directly on myself or my supply chain to pollute less, I AM THE POLLUTER.  I bear full responsibility.  My suppliers distribute natural gas to my house, but I am the one who turns on the stove.  The service station sells me gasoline, but I am the one that drives my car.  Governments pass or don’t pass clean air regulations, but I elect the government.

Individuals, families and friends need to care about their own pollution.  This even includes the pollution made almost inevitable by their suppliers.  Humans need to leverage ALL tools at hand to reduce their addiction, including changes in their own behavior, and influencing their suppliers.  

Part of managing this addiction is to calculate and pay for Carbon Dioxide Removals that “make up” for the pollution produced by myself, my family, and my friends. Restitution for past, present and future pollution is an integral part of the story.

This is not someone else’s job.  It’s my job.  It’s your job. You and I need to learn everything we can about our pollution addiction.  Then we need to do something about it.