Climate Change Protests - will they make a difference?

I think people are negative towards these protesters because we know their message is actually right and maybe feel guilty about our own apathy. Just because other countries are worse is no excuse for our inertia.

Just seen them in the news. They looked like a bunch of hippies having a lovely party!
Sadiq Khan just made the point that they were blocking bus routes and rail links just when he's trying to encourage people to use public transport hence lowering emissions. Own goal!

I would believe in these people if they protested in America, China, Russia and India, where they would certainly get all the publicity they crave, but a lot less sympathy and approval, and possibly some very unpleasant treatment.

I wasn't talking about climate change deniers but the point that some reports claim the extent may have been over-stated.

I don't think those who tend to lean towards the solar activity theory would like to be lumped together with flat earthers or those awful people who doubt the holocaust.

Climate change deniers, like holocaust deniers and flat-earthers prefer to ignore the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and it suits some politicians to encourage such irrationality.

www.campaigncc.org/climate_change/sceptics/hall_of_shame

Yes they are complete hypocrites aren't they?

I am sure they are consumers just like the rest of us with cars, and use fossil fuels to heat their homes.

How many of them fly abroad for their holidays?

Of course there is a quite plausible theory that if the planet is warming (and some scientists say claims have been exaggerated)) it is down to increased activity from the sun, so anything we do or don't do will have practically no effect.

After all the planet has had periods of warming and cooling for many centuries hasn't it?

But it also includes reducing the human population.

How is this achievable Whitewave?

We are living longer and the lives of those in developing countries are also improving on the whole.

The world is not over-populated but the resources, wealth and development are not evenly distributed.

I can’t think it will make any difference at all.
Here we are writing about it again but from what I read on other threads we aren’t doing much about it in real life.
There is information in the media about the damage that cheap clothing has on the planet.
Then we have threads on GN on how jolly it is to go out and buy a new frock, or similar in certain cheap stores.
Items that don’t look good after a couples of washes.
Still you can always just throw them away can’t you??

I cannot stand the sheer hypocrisy of people flying all over the world, often to the most exotic locations in order to attend "climate change summits" ! Or those preaching how we should cut down on this, that or the other but of course they don't have to. Grrrrrrrrr

I understand what you are saying crystaltipps about the message but I think it has to start with self. Of course we need governments to get on board, but I really don't think disrupting London and its inhabitants is the way to do that. I'd think they'd be better not travelling to the city but creating disruption in their own villages, towns, cities. Spread the message further, get their local community inconvenienced so that they add their voice.
If we feel it's worthwhile making our country carbon neutral when we are far from being one of the biggest polluters, then surely individual efforts are equally valid? They won't be the solution but a start towards it.

Read uninhabitable above

human action will wipe out the planet one way or another, in a few years with all the rising seas, many countries will become inhabitable.

Of course everyone should buy into the need for less consumption. But it also includes reducing the human population.

It also goes entirely against the economic system the world currently employs.

I’m telling you all it ain’t going to happen.

It seems perverse to disrupt one of the more environmentally friendly things we have, public transport, which then forces people into their own private cars!

I think many of these protesters do try to live a more sustainable lifestyle and just pointing the finger and saying - you aren’t perfect- doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be allowed to protest about something that is more than just about the individual. We all feel helpless in the face of ice caps melting and species dying out daily because of human action, individuals picking up litter isn’t enough. Many of these protesters do try to live a greener lifestyle and whilst people might mock you can’t deny the importance of the message. Our government should take a lead and aim to be carbon neutral by 2025- it takes political will to do that and individuals taking fewer journeys or using reusable cups won’t resolve the issue.

I think there is a place for a grass roots movement to hasten climate change.

It consists of people voluntarily and publicly cutting back on the energy they consume. Simple things like not flying away on holiday, not buying big 4x4 cars. Notbuying new clothes unless needed, buying second hand furniture

How many of those demonstrating have the latest mobile phone, the latest trainers, designer logo-ed clothing, used motorised transport of any kind to get to the demos. have their house thermostats above 18 degrees, have washing machines on every day, have baths and showers every day, own dishwashers, only eat indigenous food products, never waste food, so many things where a ground swell movement of people showing the extent of the sacrifices they are prepared to make for the environment could go global and force governments into action, while reducing daily energy use.

If they cared as much as they say, they should jump at the opportunity to make all these sacrifices to force governments into action, plus seeing how their actions reduce emissions.

I think we all agree the climate change is a huge problem, but I don't see what these protesters can achieve, except the disrupt the lives of ordinary people attempting to go about their lives.

I think peaceful protests outside the embassy of the most polluting countries would gain them more support from the general public - instead I have heard there have been calls for the use of water cannon and even tear gas.

They are hurting ordinary people, causing untold misery to thousands, but feel they have the right to do just what they want. I cannot understand disrupting public transport, when that is supposed to be the go to form of movement. They are also tying up so many police, many of whom are having their rest days cancelled and while they're arresting these protestors not able to be dealing with other issues. I read they're intending to continue "shutting down" London until 29th April. What on earth have we Londoners done to deserve this long term action?

Good post gillybob, my thoughts entirely.

One thing is for sure though, with or without protest, climate change is the biggest challenge we face.

It is almost certain that it will not be addressed and so as the pariah species of this planet there will be poetic justice as we wipe ourselves out, leaving the earth to breath a sigh of relief.
It will come much quicker than people assume.

I am wondering what, if anything do these protesters do for a job?

I happen to think most of us are working hard at tackling climate change here in the UK and short of changing our entire lives I don't think there is one single thing we could all do that will make enough difference.

Stopping the public from getting to and from work or going about their daily tasks is NOT going to win support.

It will lose them public support.

With a few notable exceptions, the great and the good don't travel by bus and tube.

crystaltipps you say that we all try to avoid single use plastic and everyone I know, from very young children to old people, is careful to recycle, litter pick etc - so who are the people who throw so much plastic waste out of their cars along the roadsides and dump waste in the countryside?

It does seem to be a "them and us" scenario - those who care and those who do not.

Seeing thousands upon thousands of new cars yesterday waiting to be exported or just imported here was quite an eye-opener too.

Are we losing the battle? These protestors will not make any difference and nor will our government - it is big worldwide businesses and other governments of powerful countries who need to be brought on side.

Some are taking it too far.

Yes. I agree.