Climate Change Protests - will they make a difference?

Disrupting public transport seems rather perverse!

Jabberwok I agree; I think that Europe including the UK is making more efforts regarding this than many other countries.
America too, as Trump is a denier.

It would be interesting to know how the protestors made their way there - walked or by pedal cycles?
Also, I am not sure just how much pollution the Underground causes so why disrupt that?
Does anyone know?

I think that disrupting the lives of ordinary people who may in fact be trying their best themselves is not the way to go.

Perhaps demonstating outside Embassies of countries that are sadly lacking any inclination of even attempting addressing the impending disaster of climate change, ie India, China Russia and so on would be more applicable than causing real disruption/hardship to peoples daily lives.
Disrupting cancer treatment can be a matter of life and death, as my DH and I know full well, and people who hold up the traffic etc during the week should perhaps think carefully about the unintended consequences of such action.

XR are targeted the wrong country China 29% of world CO2 emissions, UK 1% and falling.

My 17 year old GS has been in London at this demo. He cares tremendously about the environment. He organised a group of kids from his school to attend the Friday demos too. He also made an appointment with his head teacher to discuss a list of things the school should be doing. Yes, he has enjoyed his couple of days in London but, nothing wrong with that. Yesterday he was with welfare team handing out drinks and biscuits. I'm really proud of him. Was worried at first in case he got himself arrested, but he's got his head screwed on the right way.

However, I do think the three goals are unattainable.

Individuals doing their bit cannot be sufficient. Corporations must also be controlled by law , so that for instance all new houses are insulated,and heated by solar panels.

Travel industries have to be reined in so that holidays are spent near one's home. Aircraft use an awful lot of fossil fuel.

Perhaps most of all the oil extractors such as Shell must be controlled by law so that they permit research and development of alternative power sources.

I had to travel to central London for my gruelling cancer treatment, thank goodness it wasn't while these protestors were causing holdups and delays. I fully support that it needs World leaders to come on board ultimately, but pray tell, why will disrupting London get Trump etc to change their ways? It does start with the individual doing all they can to limit personal impact, no snowflake in an avalanche ever felt responsible.

Let's hope they make a difference - something has to!

If we are to make a dent it does mean inconveniences. There IS NOW WAY to continue to live as we do AND slow climate change.

It will mean disruption. That is the only way.

In full view of the alternative they'd better make a difference! !

National and international lawmakers need to concentrate on this colossal disaster rather than on lesser matters such as brexit.

We all have to do our bit to help where possible.

XR bringing parts of London to a standstill I do not think is particularly helpful or informative.

Part of the plan is to get people arrested and draw attention to the protests - it’s not for doing anything violent it’s for sitting in the road I think. So I think that is peaceful. I think the plans for disrupting the underground haven’t gone ahead. Just doing your own bit for the environment isn’t really enough is it? We’ve all been to eat less meat, avoid single use plastics etc and many of us try, but until people have to do something they often don’t. So while sitting at home growing your own veg and riding a bike is good on an individual level, that won’t change national policies.

Sadly, no it won’t change anything until our world leaders agree to do more.

I think their point is that there is no point in waiting for world leaders to decide to do more. "No one is coming to save us" is a quote from them. People cannot continue to hope for other people to make it easier for them to live a lower emission life, we all have to act now and that does mean inconveniencing ourselves.

Sadly, no it won’t change anything until our world leaders agree to do more.

It’s not such a peaceful demonstration either -
‘Climate change campaigners plan to disrupt London Underground services today as a fortnight-long protest continues with nearly 300 people already arrested in the capital.’

☹️

I doubt it will make any difference at all. There is always a group of people in society who find protesting easier than doing.

I hasten to add I do not mean that all protesting is pointless but in a case like this I would be far more impressed if the protesters could show us how they had changed their lives in order to drastically reduce their energy consumption. Not using any road transport to get to their protests, but walking or cycling everywhere, only buying locally produced foodstuffs, even if it meant doing without coffee, tea or sugar. Furnishing their houses entirely with recycled furniture.

I find it difficult to take people seriously when they propose all these drastic measuresfor everyone in five years time but haven't already started living the future in their own lives now.