In this essay, Watt recounts discussions with her students regarding consumption patterns; she shows how it will be necessary to change such patterns if we are to take climate change seriously from an economic and policy perspective, and to tackle it realistically. Though we have more freedom than ever to participate in political processes, we are often loath to give up the modern luxuries that add convenience to our lives, often at the expense of the environment. Watt’s experiences show how we will need to commit to a complete lifestyle change in future if we are to respond to climate change in a meaningful way.
DOI: doi.org/10.5282/rcc/7448