I haven't come across any "eco activists" who solely push for straw bans etc and nothing else. It's pretty obvious that the way forward is to not use so much stuff. LEDs and solar panels are nice but don't encourage using less stuff. "Creating value for shareholders" encourages using more stuff. But you're probably right, "economic forces" look like they win, now and forever.
I reject the notion. If your solution relies on people "using less stuff", then you have no solution at all.
People like using stuff, and if someone tries to take away their QoL, they'll oppose it strongly - and rightfully so. Which is a very basic thing that, somehow, almost no environmentalist seems to grasp.
I an currently forced to use stuff. I would walk to the shop if one was close enough, but everything around me is built around cars so it’s not practical. Thus I am forced to use a car though I would rather not. Now, you’re entirely correct that it seems a majority of people either like it this way or aren’t capable of imagining anything different. I still hold on to hope that it might change, as irrational as that might be. And in the meantime I’m not opposed to renewable energy etc
