Because after 30 COPs (Congress of Parties) the "trickle down" approach to solving the climate crisis has not worked AT ALL, the most urgent structural change we should prioritize is to create a volunteer-driven movement world-wide using visits and organized "Family Nights" presented by trained adults (or college students) within all existing public and private K-12 schools, rewarding families with school-aged kids everywhere for doing everything they can to become sustainable themselves within their own communities and for promoting sustainability in their neighborhoods, adding "bubble up" to the mix. This can all be financed by setting up a system that provides rebates to schools paid by local vendors of solar panels, insulation, reflective roofing, EVs, double-paned windows, and other "high ticket" energy (and water) saving services and products when families make purchases that reduce the carbon footprint of individual families and communities. When "trickle down" meets "bubble up" change will finally begin to take place.
When families understand the problem and start taking action, they will put pressure on the institutions to change. The one thing that everyday individual people can do to promote it is to start a program in their own neighborhood school like the one we are currently designing at www.greenactioneers.com that gets the entire next generation onboard the idea that we should all become "indigenous" to our own surroundings. It is only after this sort of youth and family-driven program is instituted in every country that we will "wake up" as a society and begin to attain sustainability. We will be piloting this program here in Florida in 2026 and solicit assistance to take it nationwide and eventually world-wide.
*What’s the most urgent structural change you think we should prioritize, and what’s one thing that everyday individual people can do to promote it?* This structural change is NOT isolated from others that other commenters have mentioned, but changing our healthcare policies and systems to be more equitable, fair, and ACCESSIBLE to our communities is the most important. It should be universal. Our neighbors should not be bankrupted by health issues.
*What’s one thing you could do today to help create social change?* SERVE our communities. VOLUNTEER at agencies, institutions, and groups that are making the choices affecting our communities and our neighbors.
One of the most urgent structural changes we should prioritize is regulating how AI is used. Without clear limits, AI can contribute to the spread of misinformation, reduce people’s ability to think and work independently, and harm the environment due to high demand of energy. Everyday individuals can promote this change by being transparent about when and how they use AI and always editing the AI output instead of using it as it is, no matter how "perfect" it seems. It may be difficult for common individuals to change policies on a global level but they can pressure the institutions they work at and start changing norms on a local level. I also use AI in daily life but I am very conscious of how and when I use it. For example, as an individual I refuse to pay for any AI software to not directly contribute to the AI economy and because I don't want to rely on AI for tasks that require more demanding cognitive abilities. I try not to use AI for creative purposes but when I do, I always ask for suggestions to improve instead of asking it to create an output from scratch.
What’s the most urgent structural change you think we should prioritize, and what’s one thing that everyday individual people can do to promote it?
I think the most urgent structural change you think we should prioritize is decentralization of systems that do not serve us. Education needs to be more grass roots to supplant the existing structure. People need to know what is driving disparities in their communities. Cottage industries can also be high tech to reach more global markets. We are at the mercy of those who do not live among us and do not share the same pressures we face. The people closest to the problems we face should have direct input in the solutions.
What’s one thing you could do today to help create social change?
I combine education with making in person relationships with others I share values with. I am starting an AI Book Club at a local book store. AI is just one of the many issues I am concerned about. AI touches on many different themes to rally around: data privacy, oligarchy, concentration of power, environmental impact, surveillance capitalism, using technology to disempower youth, rising cost of electricity, economic disparities, etc. Many people concerned about these issues are seeking clarity and find emotional relief when bonding with like minds.
We just finished Empire of AI by Karen Hao. I read Surveillance Capitalism by Prof. Shoshana Zuboff a few years ago. I need to take a poll to decide the January book.
Do you have any recommendations? If so, please give your reasons for your choices. Thank you.
Well this book only gets into AI in the last chapter but Barry Lam's "Fewer Rules Better People" is a great text on the importance of not handing over individual decision-making to rules (or machines).
Well, you are preaching to the choir as far as our group is concerned. We select books that give a much broader perspective on the subject as well as suggestions for remedial action. This is why we chose Karen Hao and Prof. Shosana Zuboff. Karen Hao also has an interesting take on Eliezer Yudkowsky as well as LLMs. It is easier to identify the AI boomers, groomers, and doomers.
While I am aware that there are those who scour the Internet seeking those who resist AI and look to launch a counterinsurgency, I write this to reach others to let them know that you are not alone in your scrutiny of AI. No, it is not an "inevitability" as the hype would have us believe. Personally, I think it will burn itself out when the lack of ROI becomes unsustainable, but it may do irreparable harm before people finally wake up to the fact.
Fascinating work on the collective action paradox. The shared identity piece really cuts through the usual paralysis around systemic change. I saw this play out when organizing around housing policy a few years back where people felt powerless individually but once we framed it as community issue, the whole dynamic shifted. The MADD example is sharp becasue it shows how controversial tactics can still work if they tap into existing cultural currents, even if those currents arent ones we'd choose today.
Because after 30 COPs (Congress of Parties) the "trickle down" approach to solving the climate crisis has not worked AT ALL, the most urgent structural change we should prioritize is to create a volunteer-driven movement world-wide using visits and organized "Family Nights" presented by trained adults (or college students) within all existing public and private K-12 schools, rewarding families with school-aged kids everywhere for doing everything they can to become sustainable themselves within their own communities and for promoting sustainability in their neighborhoods, adding "bubble up" to the mix. This can all be financed by setting up a system that provides rebates to schools paid by local vendors of solar panels, insulation, reflective roofing, EVs, double-paned windows, and other "high ticket" energy (and water) saving services and products when families make purchases that reduce the carbon footprint of individual families and communities. When "trickle down" meets "bubble up" change will finally begin to take place.
When families understand the problem and start taking action, they will put pressure on the institutions to change. The one thing that everyday individual people can do to promote it is to start a program in their own neighborhood school like the one we are currently designing at www.greenactioneers.com that gets the entire next generation onboard the idea that we should all become "indigenous" to our own surroundings. It is only after this sort of youth and family-driven program is instituted in every country that we will "wake up" as a society and begin to attain sustainability. We will be piloting this program here in Florida in 2026 and solicit assistance to take it nationwide and eventually world-wide.
This sounds so cool, Dave! We will have to check out green actioneers and maybe we can boost your signal so others start following suit
*What’s the most urgent structural change you think we should prioritize, and what’s one thing that everyday individual people can do to promote it?* This structural change is NOT isolated from others that other commenters have mentioned, but changing our healthcare policies and systems to be more equitable, fair, and ACCESSIBLE to our communities is the most important. It should be universal. Our neighbors should not be bankrupted by health issues.
*What’s one thing you could do today to help create social change?* SERVE our communities. VOLUNTEER at agencies, institutions, and groups that are making the choices affecting our communities and our neighbors.
Hi there! Thanks for your thoughtful response. I have sent you an email about the book giveaway with details on how to claim your prize!
One of the most urgent structural changes we should prioritize is regulating how AI is used. Without clear limits, AI can contribute to the spread of misinformation, reduce people’s ability to think and work independently, and harm the environment due to high demand of energy. Everyday individuals can promote this change by being transparent about when and how they use AI and always editing the AI output instead of using it as it is, no matter how "perfect" it seems. It may be difficult for common individuals to change policies on a global level but they can pressure the institutions they work at and start changing norms on a local level. I also use AI in daily life but I am very conscious of how and when I use it. For example, as an individual I refuse to pay for any AI software to not directly contribute to the AI economy and because I don't want to rely on AI for tasks that require more demanding cognitive abilities. I try not to use AI for creative purposes but when I do, I always ask for suggestions to improve instead of asking it to create an output from scratch.
What’s the most urgent structural change you think we should prioritize, and what’s one thing that everyday individual people can do to promote it?
I think the most urgent structural change you think we should prioritize is decentralization of systems that do not serve us. Education needs to be more grass roots to supplant the existing structure. People need to know what is driving disparities in their communities. Cottage industries can also be high tech to reach more global markets. We are at the mercy of those who do not live among us and do not share the same pressures we face. The people closest to the problems we face should have direct input in the solutions.
What’s one thing you could do today to help create social change?
I combine education with making in person relationships with others I share values with. I am starting an AI Book Club at a local book store. AI is just one of the many issues I am concerned about. AI touches on many different themes to rally around: data privacy, oligarchy, concentration of power, environmental impact, surveillance capitalism, using technology to disempower youth, rising cost of electricity, economic disparities, etc. Many people concerned about these issues are seeking clarity and find emotional relief when bonding with like minds.
AI book club is a great idea! What are y'all reading now?
We just finished Empire of AI by Karen Hao. I read Surveillance Capitalism by Prof. Shoshana Zuboff a few years ago. I need to take a poll to decide the January book.
Do you have any recommendations? If so, please give your reasons for your choices. Thank you.
Well this book only gets into AI in the last chapter but Barry Lam's "Fewer Rules Better People" is a great text on the importance of not handing over individual decision-making to rules (or machines).
Well, you are preaching to the choir as far as our group is concerned. We select books that give a much broader perspective on the subject as well as suggestions for remedial action. This is why we chose Karen Hao and Prof. Shosana Zuboff. Karen Hao also has an interesting take on Eliezer Yudkowsky as well as LLMs. It is easier to identify the AI boomers, groomers, and doomers.
While I am aware that there are those who scour the Internet seeking those who resist AI and look to launch a counterinsurgency, I write this to reach others to let them know that you are not alone in your scrutiny of AI. No, it is not an "inevitability" as the hype would have us believe. Personally, I think it will burn itself out when the lack of ROI becomes unsustainable, but it may do irreparable harm before people finally wake up to the fact.
Also, read Manufactured Consent by Noam Chomsky, New Dark Age: Technology and the End of the Future by James Bridle, and
Propaganda by Edward Bernays.
I must be fearless enough to state the truth and not censor myself for fear of doxxing or any other retaliation. So be it.
Fascinating work on the collective action paradox. The shared identity piece really cuts through the usual paralysis around systemic change. I saw this play out when organizing around housing policy a few years back where people felt powerless individually but once we framed it as community issue, the whole dynamic shifted. The MADD example is sharp becasue it shows how controversial tactics can still work if they tap into existing cultural currents, even if those currents arent ones we'd choose today.
What’s one thing you could do today to help create social change?
The MOST important thing to create social change is BE INFORMED!!!!
Their book is a great place to start... but more generally, READ!!!
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Who won the book giveaway?
Hi, Per the giveaway restrictions, we chose one subscriber who left a comment here and a few other paid subscribers.
Who won a copy of the book?
FYI - https://youtu.be/r_9wkavYt4Y?si=Do9SLunbL2bfZQGU