Will you take the pledge?

? I fail to see what's different? Young uns make me laugh!? We live our life this way anyway and always have done, we call it "normal" how quaint of them to think to state the obvious?

I suppose I'm just a bit surprised how indignant people get about a campaign trying to highlight what we can do for the environment. Overpaid whippersnappers trying to make us sign things. Nagging us when we already do all those things

It's just a campaign... ?

I find electrical items rarely last five years now never mind seven. In the last few years i have had to replace coffee machine, blender,microwave(twice), fridge freezer,television(because of eyesight problems)

What extra would signing a pledge do, though, if you’re already taking those actions? It’s as pointless as a tee-totaller signing up to abstain from alcohol.

It's a campaign. It's about raising awareness, it's not a legally binding life long commitment. It's just a thing to get people engaged.

Not working for everybody obviously...

Because I think the no flying commandment may not be a good idea, I think the fact that we can visit other countries has untold benefits in terms of understanding other cultures, I am not sure becoming more insular would be a wise move for the world at this point.

I guess I take care of things. I had to replace the old washing machine a few years ago but other electrical items such as the mixer and tv are a good many years old. Now I’ve said that they will all stop working and they’re so old that repair will be impossible …

No way, only concession is a hybrid car. I am scared of flying so I can't reduce my air travel

Do you know, it's actually untrue that older people looked after things better, especially white goods. Normal brand goods are only required to last for 4 years now and even more expensive brands have a limit of 7. I have cover on my machines so electronics are replaced etc but understand not everyone can afford that. White goods especially haven't raised enough in price to be as reliable and long lasting as older versions.

Not quite the article I was after but google are full of evidence

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27266923#:~:text=The%20white%20goods%20in%20your,so%20has%20their%20expected%20lifespan.

I'm still reeling from the suggestion (admittedly not in the pledge), that people should give up having a dog or two! When you look at some of the photos of people fleeing Ukrain with their dog in their arms, try telling them what are the important possessions in life.
That's the trouble with campaigns, others start to jump on the bandwagon and before long another load of additional stupid stuff gets thrown in because people are actually already taking those actions.

Lots of counsellors suggest having pets as it makes you get up and look after them

‘People will have to learn not to own a dog or cat just for a lifestyle choice’. If that it all you think of these wonderful creatures who give so much love and happiness to so many it’s a good job you stuck to goldfish! While as an animal lover I profoundly disagree, as do many others, with the hideous practice of ‘puppy farming’ etc and believe that it is better to give a home to a rescue animal rather than pay exorbitant prices to breeders, I think that owning a pet is a joy. It teaches children to love and respect a species other than their own. It teaches responsibility and empathy. Pets are a comfort to the lonely, the elderly, the disabled, the traumatised. They are a non judgemental friend through all the difficult paths of life. They love us unconditionally. If these experts, in addition to that preachy and rather joyless list, are recommending that we no longer have our pets, then perhaps they should put a ban on children too! (I have both!) Nice clean planet then. Very ‘woke’. Very worthy. But empty!

Lucca

My post referred to callustemon/knittyintrovert post

I hope you didn't think I was being negative Lucca!

I was responding to knittyintrovert's post and hoping to get some helpful tips from her on what we can add to what we are already doing (or not doing) to lower our carbon footprints.

volver

It's a campaign. It's about raising awareness, it's not a legally binding life long commitment. It's just a thing to get people engaged.

Not working for everybody obviously...

How would me signing a pledge raise awareness? Would I wear a badge? Sport a halo? Buttonhole people in the street to tell them of my virtuousness?

Like I think I said earlier, you’d have to have lived under a rock for a decade to not be aware of the issue.

Owning a pet certainly is a reason to get up in the morning, and they can provide wonderful companionship and joy.
I have only ever had stray cats and rescue dogs. They’re not commodities on which to put a price. I’ve been ‘recycling’ unwanted animals for 50 years. Each and every one of them has given me so much love and happiness.
I feel so sorry for those who can’t afford to keep a pet or whose accommodation doesn’t allow it.

We also try to keep our electrical appliances for as long as possible - our cooker and dishwasher are ancient - but they don't seem to be built to last now

Bluecat
I think you have made a very valid point.
My old sewing machine was fine for 45 years until it started belching out black smoke. The new machine had to go back for repair under warranty.
The new energy efficient expensive freezer went wrong after 4 months, was repaired but never worked properly and had to be replaced under guarantee. The very old freezer (still working but not large enough) went to be upcycled.
Ditto a dishwasher, had to be replaced in the guarantee period.

Clothes - terrible quality at top prices.

I would keep items for ever if they lasted but they don't.

I believe there’s EU legislation in the pipeline saying that all electrical items need to be repairable? ( need to Google it, though….)

My sewing machine had been for a service not long before that

Not in the EU any longer MayBee. Won't benefit us.

MayBee70

I believe there’s EU legislation in the pipeline saying that all electrical items need to be repairable? ( need to Google it, though….)

There may well be, but when you can’t find a repair person and then it costs almost as much to get an item repaired with no guarantee how long it will last, as it does to buy a new one . . .

But I think the whole point of the initiative is to make it easier to get things repaired and so eventually there will be more people doing that sort of work? It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out even though we obviously won’t be taking part.

Normal brand goods are only required to last for four years now……..

I know things last less time now, but that’s quite shocking isn’t it? Perhaps manufacturers need to consider their impact on the environment.

I just read this to my granddaughter, she said, well okay, I don’t mind keeping my electronic gadgets for seven years but I’ll have to have new ones as well!
Not quite the idea.

I think that manufacturers need to be 'nudged' into ensuring that their products don't need to be replaced so early, or to need extra parts in their lifespan. I'm thinking here of iPhones/iPads and so on (not just Apple - they are all the same) that become obsolete, or can't have their batteries changed, so you have to buy new ones. Also, I remember years ago having a heated brush styler that you filled with butane from a bottle. You could buy the branded stuff, but it worked just as well with lighter fuel. Mine lasted for years like this, but when it broke the new model needed cartridges. More expensive, and very wasteful.

Maybe a score out of 10 for ecological consideration should be required on all packaging, and it should take things like this into account? A bit like the energy efficiency ratings on house sales. That way those who are interested in killing the planet a bit more slowly could take it into account, and those who aren't bothered could ignore it.

Sara1954