The world’s most famous climate scientist just outlined an alarming scenario for our planet’s future

[Xithras]

24. It's not a one or the other choice

Global capitalism has created serious inequities and environmental problems, but the mere fact that you are sucking air, living in a house, and consuming food means that you are also contributing to the environmental destruction we see on the Earth. That contribution is inherent in your very existence. You and I, as human beings, share guilt for the destruction that our presence brings to the planet. It is NOT possible to exist without harming the environment.

The ecosystem has the ability to adapt to a certain amount of destruction, but we exceeded the Earths carrying capacity long ago. The cumulative weight of our mere presence is enough to destroy the planet, without a single capitalist dollar being spent. Capitalism is speeding things along, but it's our species-wide focus on making babies that is the real problem.

The human population WILL crash, and the problem WILL be solved at some point. The only question is whether there will be much of an ecosystem left when that day finally arrives. It is mathematically impossible to sustain ourselves at current population levels and growth rates. Ending global capitalism may be a good thing, but at the end of the day it just buys us a bit of time.