This Changes Everything

In contrast to industrial agriculture, which focuses on mono-crops and unsustainable farming practices, agroecology is a return to small-scale sustainable farming that blends modern technology with local knowledge. It emphasizes biodiversity and natural pest control and soil protection systems, leading to healthier farmlands and lower carbon outputs.

Alternately called “cap-and-trade” and “carbon trading,” this practice involves setting emission caps on companies and nations. Rather than penalize entities for exceeding these caps, they can purchase or trade “carbon credits” from other entities, giving the illusion of decreased emissions without actually changing their practices. This system also involves “offsets,” actions that theoretically counteract emissions without meaningfully doing so.

Cultural cognition is the way people filter new information through their existing belief systems. In many cases, people reject information outright that threatens their worldviews. Klein points to cultural cognition as a major factor in climate denialism.