AIBU - to be worried about the future for my grand children

We are constantly bombarded with information both true and false. Imagine if people had dealt with that during the Plague, world wars, Norman raids, Roman invasions, etc.! Somehow, man still survives. Be a source of calm to thr GC. They will be better for it and so will you. We will survive,even without Wheatabix!

Hetty58, I agree with absolutely everything you've written. Those are exactly my views.
Last week there was a TV item about planets. Think about ours - as far as we know, the only one like it - absolutely beautiful and full of amazing plants and animals. And what do we do? We pollute it and constantly try to blow it up. We don't deserve it.

That's okay, Tillybelle, I feel tired too. The wind was so strong last night it kept waking me up and then we had downpours during today.
Although I do feel for people living further north who have suffered more than in the south with their houses being flooded.

Rest well x.

Sorry, NannyC2 you did say mankind is not helping and we can play a part in what we do. I knew I read it but i got muddled about who wrote it! Apologies. I'm tired!

Chestnut, I agree absolutely!

NannyC2 That's amazing! Thanks for the information. I do try to follow what different websites report. I know that the contribution by people is not the only reason by far. However, we can see some changes locally such as the loss of the top soil and plants on the west side (mainly) of the Peak District where the Industrial Revolution and factories in the Manchester area caused acid rain to kill the plants leading to a different terrain and the washing away of the topsoil.

Then again, killing bees by insect spraying is a terribly dangerous thing to do. I realise that is not about the climate though. I do know some groups are entirely convinced that climate change is nothing to do with the pollution of the atmosphere by man-made emissions such as aircraft. One of these groups also believes that the MMR vaccine causes Autism. I have to say I am sceptical about that as I had access to just about all the research on Autism and my Boss was the World Leader at the time on the condition.

Do you think that nothing we do affects the climate?

Negativity and doom mongering will never encourage a bright future. Positivity, strength of spirit and personal responsibility will. All those fearing for the future of their loved ones should try opening their minds to treat the world better than each and every one of us older inhabitants have.

just go with the flow.no mattter what we do or say or think ,will make one iota of a difference .you can ask people to recycle till you red in the face. people will always think that the world is ok ,when clearly it is not .just teach them its good to recycle ,share and be respectful at all times .

I think that's great for primary children Tillybelle to learn about bees and recycling. They should also be taught NOT to buy plastic drink bottles, but to take a bottle or flask already filled. I think that would be one of the most useful things to teach them. I don't agree with too much detail on extreme weather, rainforests and icecaps at that age. They have plenty of time for all that at secondary school.

We all think of our Granchildren,s future especially in these troubled times, but as someone else said, there have always been threats of some kind, insecurety etc.We will all have to put in a greater effort to combat some things which we can influence.
I shudder every time they show on TV the icebergs breaking up, that is frightening ,and we have caused this ,think of our Grandchildren and do more about it.

Tillybelle, did you know that an active volcano has been unexpectedly discovered beneath a rapidly vanishing glacier in Antarctica by a team of scientists studying the melting ice shelf?
Rising temperatures in the polar oceans still contribute to Antarctic melting, but volcanoes buried deep beneath the ice are a “wild card” that are also playing a role. Scientists are warning this hidden source of heat must be taken into consideration when predicting future sea level rises.
Yes, mankind is not helping and we can play a part in what we do.
I agree with Chestnut that Greta Thunberg is doing a good job at frightening children.

Thanks Chestnut! I entirely agree about the younger ones. My GC at Primary school impress me by their knowledge of recycling and the need to protect the environment. I had a long talk from one of them last summer about how important it is to protect the bees! I was so pleased, I thought I might be the one explaining to them, but they are well in formed at their little school.

Oh Tillybelle I was replying to yehbutnobut not referring to you. And I certainly don't think of you inside a sandwich board ?
I agree we shouldn't frighten the children, although Greta Thunberg is doing a good job of doing that. She may be 16 but it's the younger ones I worry about who may get scared and I think are far too young to worry about such things until at least secondary school.

NannyC2. I know that the climate has always gone through changes. Do you attribute the recent changes simply to the normal changes in Nature that have always been with us? Obviously, these can be drastic. A return of an ice-age would be very challenging!
But do you think that the emissions into the atmosphere which mankind has created have no effect on the climate?

There has always been Climate change.
What you need to think about is LOVE in every sense of the word for we are heading into times which sadly, will get worse unless we follow the teachings of Christ. Yes, I know many do not believe, but as Easter approaches we are reminded how Christ suffered for each and everyone of us so that we can be saved, by his dying for the forgiveness of all our sins.
Our world now has much evil in it. The light of a lamp is more beautiful than the lamp itself and in a world going towards ruin in the darkness, be it's light!
Yes, I worry about my children and grandchildren but my answer is prayer. Prayer for families is most important.
I have hope and faith and know that ultimately everything will be changed for the better.
As a Christian I do not fear criticism because my faith in the Lord can ride any storm.
So your answer is pray for them.

As has been said by many GNs, each age produces its own challenges, and the accompanying worries.
Thankfully, in this country at least, so many diseases have as good as been irradiated (cholera, TB, etc) but more population, development will present more problems. Hopefully our grandchildren will be able to see cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc wiped out.

WishIwasyounger. I feel really mean, because I have not actually listened to you in a personal way. You are a very caring Granny. Yes, I agree, I too have the same fears that you have so clearly described. I have to try hard to remain confident and never show my anxiety to my GC. I have said previously how I try to deal with each of the subjects you raise. I just wanted to say here that you are not alone. I would like to comfort you in that I believe our GC will find ways to cope. I have a lot of faith in them. Try not to become distressed. Lots of love, Elle ?

OH big woops. I copied and pasted because I needed to check Yehbut's abbreviations and obviously I messed up how I did it. So Sorry! Not had cataracts done yet!!

Oh crumbs Chestnut You don't think I'm walking about wearing sandwich boards or worse shouting "The end is nigh!" do you? I value your good opinion of me! I have never actually shared my feeling that I think the Christians who have pointed out the many parallels in what is happening now with the events in the Revelations might be true. I said it here because This is always a safe and caring group. I'm definitely not saying I am certain of it! But I followed a few courses and it was quite striking.
That aside, Yehbutnobut, forgive my elderly ignorance, but I don't know what the abbreviationsOh crumbs Chestnut You don't think I'm walking about wearing sandwich boards or worse shouting "The end is nigh!" do you? I value your good opinion of me! I have never actually shared my feeling that I think the Christians who have pointed out the many parallels in what is happening now with the events in the Revelations might be true. I said it here because This is always a safe and caring group. I'm definitely not saying I am certain of it! But I followed a few courses and it was quite striking.
That aside, Yehbutnobut, forgive my elderly ignorance, but I don't know what the abbreviations. “Nkt.” and “FFS.” mean. Please could you elucidate?

MarieEliza. I totally agree with you

I think no normal and kind older person especially a Granny would want to frighten or upset a young person. I do however think that the climate change challenge that is facing us and which will impact out GC far more, is a drastic thing which is not comparable with other challenges that generations have faced before. I believe that it must be place first and foremost in any policy of every government and we all need to respond to it. I do have confidence in our GC for their laudable attitude to it.

Worrying has never been shown to change anything, so better to enjoy the blessings of the here and now.

I am proud of our young people, they are concerned about the planet and care about nature far more than some older folk.

I don’t think anyone anywhere can reassure you that your grandchildren will be ok. Or anyone else’s grandchildren, just have to focus on the good things in life, and not picture doom and gloom, I don’t think there are any grandparents that don’t want the best for the future generations. Totally agree with grannylaine

Large numbers of people die from flu every year in the UK, 600 I saw somewhere. Deaths from Corona virus are pretty steady at 2%. 98% of people who get it recover. One table I just looked up seemed to suggest death rates from flu and pneumonia were in the teen range per 100,000. Infinitesimal.

Reading this thread Nehbutnobut I think you'll find most people agree that doom mongers are not really helpful. We need people who try and make things better. I think everyone is aware of climate change, and I'm not denying anything. Of course I'm worried but telling everyone 'the end is nigh' just reminds me of those old guys who used to walk the streets with sandwich boards 100 years ago.

I find many comments here both encouraging and ones with which I agree. I have found myself feeling very upset indeed about my GC's future, especially because of climate change and then because of the changes in Government style and the fact that we can have Leaders like Trump and Johnson, who are proven to be liars and have dreadful morals.

As a Christian I agree with many other Christians who see signs in the world of the end of times. I do not expect it in our time or that of our children but our GC may see the return of Christ. Therefore I strengthen my prayers for them and for the world.

I fear that there could be a major war looming into which our country shall be drawn. I am very sad that our GC will be educated without the advantages of being in the EU and that the Health Service will not be able to work with the EU in the same way, both in treatment and research.

I do agree that every age brings its own version of fears. I agree that I was luckier than my parents in terms of kitchen appliances! We probably will cope with Covid-19 but I do find its rapid infection rate is very frightening, however, we must just do our best and be brave. I regard it as just another flu, take sensible precautions and try not to join the hysteria.

I have great confidence in the younger generation. They are the most aware of climate change and are very good about how they spend their money or travel and the ones I know show great awareness for those who are disadvantaged in any way, both here and abroad. I admire them enormously and have such great hopes for them.

I think becoming frightened about the state of the world and for the future may be a part of growing old in my case. I do feel so much more vulnerable and am so much less able to do anything very helpful to change things beyond the simple home-based things like recycling etc.

We can only do our best and try to stand up for what we believe is right. I think t is harmful to spread doom and gloom but giving a sensible and appropriate warning where indicated, which might prevent more harm, is good. I certainly do not agree that we may as well give up and "party"! That kind of attitude was always one which led to problems.

I also agree that humans are very adaptable and that our GC will produce ways which we cannot imagine yet that will enable them to live with the changes to come. My main support of course, comes from my faith. I put everything in the Lord's hands and trust Him to guide us through any difficulties ahead. I won't mean there are no difficulties, just that He will be there to hold us up as we go through them.

I'm sorry I'm not a world leader I wish I could be of more assistance. Worrying about things that are completely out of your control will only give you high blood pressure, sleepless nights or even worse, cancer. The important thing is to do our bit, although some people are saying we have left it too late. Instead of worrying spend quality time with your grandchildren as you may project your worry onto them and scare them.