Climate Change Demonstrations

Exactly merlotgran!

They are raising awareness that's for sure but there are two kinds of awareness:

Those of us who are passionate recyclers, take only one modest holiday a year, use public transport whenever possible, grow our own veg and eat less meat etc., etc., We are doing their best to make a difference in our own way and most of us have always lived like that.

Then there are those who take the day off school or work, wave their placards, disrupt the working day and shout loudly about how we are the ones who must change. They will probably then eat a takeaway pizza and when they go home and the bins are collected, any recycling will have been done by their parents.

I think it's right that the young have a voice but they are not going to change the world by protesting alone. I'd like to see some evidence that they are practicing what they preach.

Anja the first could be deemed a mistake but the second is deliberate and I wonder why you feel the need to do it?

If it makes you feel better to call anyone working in the emergency services, schools etc serfs I feel sorry for your mental state, not theirs. Without them, all our lives would be in immediate danger.

All this protesting won't make a ha'porth of difference !

There was a comment on one of the Australian TV stations along the lines of “how many of the students would be happy to sit in a classroom with no air conditioning, to not have the latest cellphone, to not have the latest trainers and must have clothes and walk or cycle to school instead of being driven in air conditioned cars by their parents”

I think something needs to be done worldwide, we do what we can but having family worldwide we will not stop flying.

Some people on here are muddling climate change and environmental erosion.

Wizend do you mean a single use plastic bottle or one which can be used and refilled multiple times? And do you understand why I’m asking?

OK.

1. The most important thing by 100% is to tell those with the power to stop the destruction of the planet to get off their asses and do something.
So we urgently need the earths lungs to stop it being destroyed
Fossil fuels need banning.

We can’t as individuals do that, that is why these demonstrations are so important.

2. On a more local level you can join groups in your community trying to take action and help make your town more climate friendly. Have car free days. Encourage greater use of public transport. Car sharing etc

3. Eat more plants! Meat production is a huge contributor to climate change.

4. Walk more. Use your car less.

5. Get your electricity from renewables.

6. Avoid air travel if at all possible

7 save energy at home as far as possible.

8 Move to a green bank.

Jane no matter what you and I do this is a global issues and unless governments can be prodded, shamed or otherwise prodded into action then IMO we are indeed doomed.

Those placards which declare THERE IS NO PLANET B sum it up exactly. .

While I do sincerely applaud all those who marched, the nasty cynic in me can't help wondering how many of them took a plastic water bottle along.

If anyone who went along can tell me they didn't see any, I will be only too xhappy to believe it.

If these people really wanted to help the environment what, as individuals, are they doing rather than just talking about?

Yes. I want to know for example the top 5 things we, as individuals, can do. I'm not just being arsy. I'm just not sure what relevance to everyday life and activities a general march like this actually has.

anja ?

Pants I see we will never agree. The serf mentality is hard to break.

Blimey where shall I start.

You don’t really want a lecture do you jane?

I can if you wish, but my boiled egg awaits me.

What exactly is the hoped for outcome? What concrete aim is there?

oops because I’m really scary ???

Those objecting to the demonstrations are wrong. They are on the wrong side of science and history.

Nature is in crises, we are in existential danger of a mass extinction of species of both flora and fauna.

And you say we shouldn’t demonstrate?

What would you suggest happens?

Grannygravy there are many people who work at weekends. Not everyone has a Mon to Friday job.

Isn't the whole point of these strikes to take the children out of school, silverlining?

I know many of the protests in this area were after school finished and as to emergency services being left short handed that would have been pre arranged and shifts covered.

Why would anyone feel threatened by you, ww2?

I am so pleased that none of my family wasted the time of their employers or educationalists by taking part in the demonstration.
I would be far more convinced of the strength of their commitment if these people demonstrated in their own time, and did something constructive (clearing litter for a start; no teenagers ever appear for litter pick sessions in our village) or cycled or walked instead of having to be driven everywhere; that applies particularly to the adults.

Thank you for you kind words Anja - they’ve been said before. I do try to get people’s names right and encourage my grandchildren to be mindful of their responsibilities especially now that they are working. It’s about not letting their colleagues down unless death, disease or disaster strike.

Protesting is a self indulgent exercise when you leave the workplace short handed in the emergency services and schools - which is where they work. That is not to say that they are unmindful of environmentalism but their abilities to prioritise are paramount and that’s what makes me proud.

Though living in different countries my children and grandchildren took part. Good for them. Let’s hope this crisis can be averted if it’s not already too late.
It is their future and ‘they’ are ‘our’ children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, ad infinitum.

A year and one month ago this young lady was photographed outside the Swedish Parliament, entirely alone with a banner.

Yesterday this

Greta Thunberg
@GretaThunberg

Over 4 million on #ClimateStrike today. In 163 countries. And counting...
If you belong to the small number of people who feel threatened by us, then we we have some very bad news for you:
This is just the beginning. Change is coming - like it or not.