Climate change and our grandchildren’s future

This is very sad, but yes, she is right.

In her position I would be feeling the same way. And I don’t think it’s all down to world leaders, though ultimately they are the ones who will have to force us into changing our ways.

We had a very sobering talk at WI about the climate emergency. We now realise the government is doing nothing to educate us about why it is happening and what can be done. Keir Starmer said just this week he isn't going to tell people how to live their lives. That is exactly what he should be doing. Why are we still getting masses of adverts on TV for cruises and other holidays, when air travel and cruises are so bad for the environment? Money and jobs of course, but difficult decisions will need to be taken by all countries and so far there is no sign of that happening.

I agree, rubysong. Instead of any sort of education we recently had a light-hearted feature on our local news about what a clever idea it is to hop over to Dublin and back by plane for a day out with the children because it’s cheaper than going to London by train. Not a hint that there might be any downside to this.

It's the elephant in the room, isn't it.

When AIDS was top of the agenda there were Government information films shown on every TV channel. Now people get their info differently but it still ought to be possible.
I guess when you have climate emergency deniers in charge of nations it has to be up to the rest of us to make sure the facts are understood.

She may be right to be worried, but to give up on children, the future generation, is foolish. I remember hearing the same argument in the mid 1970s from a couple of a similar age to me; they did not have children because of their concerns about the state of the world then, and the wife later admitted she very much regretted it. The husband, I now think, did not want children anyway.

I heard on Radio 4 recently that China is actually way ahead with technologies for dealing with climate change, and that we as a world have enough knowledge to turn things around even at this late stage.. It needs the will of governments and people to work together now..
I understand your GD's thoughts and she probably reflects a lot of young people.. but I don't think I would give up yet..

I recall in the early 1970s people being urged to build nuclear fallout shelters on their property. You could get plans for them. My dad thought of going into business producing them. We didn't actually do any and so far we haven't needed them.

No, I don't think people should stop having children because of this. The effect on the world populations will be minimal if they stick to one or two kiddies per couple. Then bring up those kiddies to be responsible for the world they are in, leading by example, recycling, not wasting stuff, make-do-and-mend, grow fruit and veg, get involved with local initiatives, and if possible become scientists or responsible politicians.

My nephew and his wife have chosen to remain childless for the same reason.

I couldn't agree more Rubysong. Nowhere near enough media time is devoted to the perils of climate change. I have been known to politely ask friends who have several holidays abroad every year 'Doesn't climate change worry you?'. One said that they always recycled, another that she really needed a holiday every few weeks as she 'can't live without a tan - haha' and yet another is happily convinced that science will come to the rescue so no need for us to do anything. If only!

My worry would be more about what sort of world they’d be living in. But yes, previous posters are probably right. We have some amazing scientists and there’s always hope that they can turn things round. In the meantime we can only do our best.

Climate change is a scam and a very sinister one that is destroying the future for our children - not because of what is happening to the planet but because of the depression, fear and despair induced. 'Climate change denier' has become an insulting label, and an excuse to reject all those (and there are many of them) genuine scientists who dispute the 'evidence' for human-caused climate change. Yes, there is always climate change, always has been, but global warming is in dispute and certainly the role of fossil fuels has been distorted. Why? As always, follow the money. The net zero nonsense is also a handy way to frighten and control people. We need carbon in the atmosphere, it makes things grow. What we do not need are greedy corporations and cynical governments who put forward a scary myth, silence debate and meanwhile ignore REAL environmental concerns, such as pollution. Check out 'Climate Change, the Cold Truth' on youtube

I am beginning to regret having children for that very reason I’m sure they will not and hopefully neither will their children but I’m no longer sure after that
I don’t believe humans are the only blame the climate change has happened back in history before we could do any real damage but we are definitely not helping the planet 😢

rubysong

We had a very sobering talk at WI about the climate emergency. We now realise the government is doing nothing to educate us about why it is happening and what can be done. Keir Starmer said just this week he isn't going to tell people how to live their lives. That is exactly what he should be doing. Why are we still getting masses of adverts on TV for cruises and other holidays, when air travel and cruises are so bad for the environment? Money and jobs of course, but difficult decisions will need to be taken by all countries and so far there is no sign of that happening.

I agree re KS. In fact, with most of your post - no one with any authority seems to be taking drastic steps to sort out this mess. I am willing to forego holidays, even my (much needed) car if we all work together to make it possible and to find a way to keep the economy going despite the changes that are required.

rubysong

We had a very sobering talk at WI about the climate emergency. We now realise the government is doing nothing to educate us about why it is happening and what can be done. Keir Starmer said just this week he isn't going to tell people how to live their lives. That is exactly what he should be doing. Why are we still getting masses of adverts on TV for cruises and other holidays, when air travel and cruises are so bad for the environment? Money and jobs of course, but difficult decisions will need to be taken by all countries and so far there is no sign of that happening.

I dont disagree. We talk about climate change in L party locally a lot.

But truly, I can just see the threads on here if Starmer stopped the ads for example? "dictatorship nanny state" etc etc. And OTOH initiatives for change get shot down as inadequate, cost too much....

These big countries don't seem to be bothered. We are a very tiny country trying our best, but not big enough to make a big impact. We have loads of restrictive dates against us but other countries don't seem to!!!

I think we need to remember that the children born today will be the ones that will be looking after the world when we have moved on, so in my opinion what we need is to produce responsible adults for the future, that have respect for the world that we live in.

undines

Climate change is a scam and a very sinister one that is destroying the future for our children - not because of what is happening to the planet but because of the depression, fear and despair induced. 'Climate change denier' has become an insulting label, and an excuse to reject all those (and there are many of them) genuine scientists who dispute the 'evidence' for human-caused climate change. Yes, there is always climate change, always has been, but global warming is in dispute and certainly the role of fossil fuels has been distorted. Why? As always, follow the money. The net zero nonsense is also a handy way to frighten and control people. We need carbon in the atmosphere, it makes things grow. What we do not need are greedy corporations and cynical governments who put forward a scary myth, silence debate and meanwhile ignore REAL environmental concerns, such as pollution. Check out 'Climate Change, the Cold Truth' on youtube

That is just not true. Almost 100% of Scientists accept that there is a climate catastrophe. It is only just beginning to impact on lucky us in the global North but it is already devastating parts of the planet. The ice caps are melting.
OK there have been extreme climate changes, naturally occurring in history which led to species extinctions but this is happening quickly so if we refuse to act now the world will inevitably be unable to support life.
So yes, I can understand why people are choosing not to create more humans.

My DD who died 5 years ago aged 47, when marrying at 35, decided she did not want children as there were too many people on earth and far too many in UK already. That was nearly 20 years ago and situation hasn't improved.

Good grief

The climate is changing - quite a lot by the look of it.

But the question imo is why:
1. Is it down to us?
2. Is it deliberately being altered by Governments and the like?
3. Is it Mother Nature having one of the upheavals she has had over the centuries?

Personally - I'm pretty much convinced it's a combination of nos. 2 and 3. If it did turn out to have a personal element =- I've not had more than 2 children and indeed haven't had any and so "I've done my bit and more". I did one of those environmental quizzes some time back as to "How many planets are you using?" and thought "How on earth are they telling me I use two planets worth? No children, no car, very little plane travel, etc, etc" and then realised and re-did that exact same quiz with the exact same answer and put in that mine is a two-person household (not the one-person one it actually is) and came out with I'm actually really using my fair one planet worth - if I were married or living together - and obviously people shouldnt be penalised for being single. So I'm doing what I can and I'm blowed if I'm getting married to satisfy their ideas of "Budge up and share your house".

I think we're probably talking a lot nearer in time than our grandchildren copping for it. I think there's a good chance that we personally are going to cop for it - eg I gather there are scientists saying our Gulf Stream we depend upon might change drastically and could be as early as next year and cue for Britain becoming much worse weather and maybe rationing electric use to only 3 hours per day (to which I thought "Nothing like being told the exact year I might die - ie next year !!!!!"). We can only wait and see what is going to happen to "our" climate here.

Time will tell - and further info. leaking out about the deliberate changes being made to our weather (all for the worse by the look of it).

LaCrepescule

My 24 year old daughter has always wanted children but I was sad to hear last night that she’s not sure anymore because of what climate change is doing to the planet. Without China, India and probably now the US (we all know Trump’s view) being on board, what hope is there that we can stop destroying the world?
I won’t see the end of the world and probably neither will she but is she right in being so worried about this?
We can all do our bit but without world leaders taking this seriously, I fear she’s right…

Such a thoughtful young woman could be the mother of a child who might go on to invent the technology to save our planet.

A lot of misinformation here about climate change. CC is real and manmade. We need governments to address it, not deny it or waste time. The UK is doing it's bit but will have only a marginal direct effect: China may be moving in the right direction but the USA under Trump will add to the problem.

The low birth rate and aging population is going to be a more immediate problem, there will be employment shortages,slower economic growth,rising pension and healthcare costs which means higher taxes and reduced services for younger generations.

I have 4 grandchildren all under teenage years and I worry about their future and those of that generation.
Not having children in today's climate is understandable . However , she is still very young and whilst it is her sensible head talking now , once she sees all her friends and those around her still producing children then perhaps it will turn to only having one.