[dillon]

Software engineer here. I wouldn't necessarily say this is specific to software engineers. But I do think individuals can make an impact in many ways. Using your money to purchase products that are free of plastic and is sustainably made is one way.

Another action people can take is to refuse working for an employer who doesn't take sustainability seriously or is an obvious polluter. I recently switched jobs from a place that put API's in front of warehousing, logistics, and fulfillment. They did not take sustainably seriously. Tons of plastic packaging and inefficient warehouses.

I'm now at a retailer that is extremely conscious of sustainability. Their warehouses and stores are all 100% carbon neutral and are starting to divert 90%+ of all waste from ending up in landfills. Data centers are also carbon neutral. Sustainability decisions ARE business decisions. In my experience, I've seen most businesses separate sustainability and business. It's refreshing to be somewhere that molds the two together. I wish more businesses took this approach.

If you are interested in making an impact then do some research on the company before your next interview. At the end of interviews they give you the opportunity to ask questions. Ask about sustainability and see what their reaction is.

[chillwaves]

I think it's misguided to talk up individual action over government regulation. I'm sure it feels nice to "do the right thing" but it's not impactful. In some cases, it frees up resources to be further wasted by the problematic % of people who just don't give a damn.

My suggestion is always to elect better politicians and write better laws.

[esotericn]

You can do both.

[chillwaves]

The focus belongs on government regulation and smart polices. Example: the current landscape of recycling in America is a complete scam for the most part, outside of aluminum cans.

Personal behavioral changes will not impact on the scale required.

[rabidrat]

> refuse working for an employer who doesn't take sustainability seriously

I hear this a lot, and I have to wonder, what's the end-game here? To boycott the business on the employment side, so that they can't do effective work and eventually have to shutdown the company? Or maybe induce enough hiring pain they'll be forced to change their unsustainable practices to be able to attract talent?

[esotericn]

Ultimately you are removing one labourer from the pool that is willing to contribute towards unsustainable practices.

The aggregate effect, assuming that you're a competent developer, is that these businesses are less efficient.

Ignoring that, it's good for your own soul to not do things you think are bad.