10% Of The World’s Carbon Emissions

Crankstart Intern Suzi Darrington from Oxford University, with us for 6 weeks, is in the Listeners Chair. This is the second of 8 episodes where she'll reside in that seat.

Today's listener question from Ash in Icomb, Gloucestershire, England reads, “I read that the clothing industry produces 10% of the world's carbon emissions, and some say this is more than the combined totals of the shipping and aviation industries. Which industry should we be focusing on to combat man's impact on the climate?”

William raises the question of who controls the switches behind processes propping up all industries? He feels having read this question and explored it through the conversation here, an action we can all take is to consume less throughout all aspects of life.

Suzi brings up that there are higher polluting industries, such as fossil fuel industries. She raises that the area in our lives we can all make what at least feels like a tangible difference is the clothing industry, because we have control over the clothes we buy, and the things we consume in general. She feels fast fashion is really bad for the environment, and discusses that the younger generations have partial responsibility when it comes to fashion, as they’re the group that consume most, as it’s part of who they are, and it’s also a time of figuring out who they are.

Stuart, on the other hand, thinks we all need to get our houses into order and brings the conversation back to the question by stating that we need to focus on all industries, but the effort in certain industries needs to be higher. The key industries include fashion, energy production, the aviation industry, and maybe you can think of more. Stuart talks about an article about the “right to drive” which he contests as it isn’t exactly a right if we are tested and given permission to do it. He also wonders why people want the right to do it when there's so much congestion and legislation around it. 

Stuart, William and Suzi then get into a conversation about the idiosyncrasies of the aviation industry, including empty flights and private planes.

During this episode Stuart and William talk about the WOW Effect / Wildman On Wheels where we are raising £24,000 to help fund two wheelchairs enabling Stuart to continue bringing nature into the daily lives of others, sharing a lifetime of outdoor wisdom.

Here is a link to that fundraiser: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels Through the Wow Effect (Wildman On Wheels) we aim to show that even if you have a green space you can enjoy within 15 minutes of where you live, is that space really accessible if you are in a wheelchair or have another disability and can't get in when you arrive? We want to reframe the understanding of accessible countryside.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

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This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. 

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