This is a question many of us have probably asked ourselves when we want to engage in an activity that we know causes significant emissions and feels hard to justify. Someone who “negotiates” with themselves in this way is trying to reconcile two conflicting desires or feelings, or different norms or habits that are in opposition. Actively trying to live more sustainably is probably more about finding what feels right and gradually striving toward it. Eating vegetarian, avoiding flying, or reducing unnecessary consumption helps decrease total emissions, and lasting changes can lead to quite significant emission reductions for you and may cause ripples to those around you. It’s likely wiser to gradually incorporate conscious choices into our everyday lives rather than trying to balance out each individual action.
About author:
David Andersson
Postdoc, Institutionen för rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap. Chalmers, Göteborg
My research often focuses on households’ (un)sustainable consumption patterns and how they differ between groups. In my studies, I have examined factors influencing household greenhouse gas emissions, whether there is a link between well-being and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as how rebound effects vary across groups with regard to their assumed intentions.
I work on analyzing household consumption patterns. I run the company Svalna (www.svalna.se), which develops and provides technological solutions and platforms to help individuals and organizations measure and reduce their climate impact. Data from Svalna’s app is used in my own research as well as in that of others. I am also the founder of the card game Klimatkoll (www.kortspeletklimatkoll.se).
