Climate Change Demonstrations

Amen to that Happiyogi. Our generation will be the one to be blamed - totally rightly. I want to be able to face my grandchildren and say 'yes, we made a mess- but I am prepared to think, learn, to my best, even when my best if not good enough- and I will support you kids all the way. And make the proud'

I am shocked at the vitriol on this thread, being directed at young people with genuine concern for the single planet which is home to us all.

To criticise them for caring is scarcely credible. To question their seriousness is shallow - don't you think you already come into contact every day with imperfect adults, doctors, ministers of religion, colleagues, neighbours and family members. We mostly overlook their failings, knowing that they, just like us, are mostly doing their best.

Sometimes people criticise others for failings that, in their hearts, they fear they are guilty of themselves. Please let's stop the petty nitpicking and use our collective wisdom and experience gracefully, while there's still time.

I can think of demonstrations that had excellent and lasting effect - the sufragettes!
If you listen to or read Greta Thunbergs speeches she calls for system change in particular as the necessary action, whilst living a sustainable life herself.

Do you read posts? Not all will, but many I know do- and work very very hard to make changes, not just themselves, but in their local communities, schools, unis, etc.

I find it so so sad that people will make very excuse via blame the youngsters for not being perfect- even if they try very hard and work at it. And work with their colleagues, students, families and friends ... and their too oft stuck in their ways, refusing to make changes, great-parents.

It’s good to show concern, but,
Do they want to give up their smart phones and iPads?
Not go on foreign holidays?
Walk or cycle to school?
Give up fast fashion?
Etc: etc.

We will have to see how many turn up in October to sleep on the streets of London, if it rains.

I think they have tents.

Do you really think our schools are that awful?

Of course an incredibly worthy cause and great that school children are being encouraged to think about this and to take action BUT am I the only cynical person who thinks that if it had been a cold rainy midweek day there would have been fewer pupils taking a day off and are many of the people taking that day off actually doing it just to escape school for a day?

PS Gabriella, I think some grans think you are for real maybe a little disclaimer?

"We don't need to be taught to suck eggs by anyone, much less by a kid from another country."
Lovely! Do please write more sarcasm Gabriella.

That should have been "as I was growing up in the fifties and sixties" (I'm not as young as I'd like to be)

I admit to being pretty unaware of environmental issues when I was growing up in the sixties and seventies.

As a student I joined campaigns to free Nelson Mandela, stop apartheidt and ban the bomb, but it never occurred to me or most of my friends to object to the fact that, in our ancient university, female students were not allowed to join the students union. (Women could go to dances and debates but were only allowed in the Beer Bar one day a year - which was called Daft Friday)
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However I do remember there being quite a significant green awakening in the 1970s - mainly promoted by the Liberal Party.

Looking back it seems that was overwhelmed by the materialism of Thatcherism in the 1980s.

I'm one who believes that past demonstrations impacted the future- The world changed, albeit not in ways many hoped or expected nor as quickly as most might have wanted it to-

Grandparents that were activists then, raised their children to care who in turn raised their children to care- In some cases there are 4 generations of activists alive today, representing millions globally- There will only be more going forward-

If you planted your seed back in the 60s, consider the time it might have taken for such seeds to germinate, sprout, flower and then bear fruit-

Natural Climate Change

And the argument for the trains is that they were running anyway (as do commercial planes) but the one for the boat would be? Bearing in mind folk flew out to sail it home - allegedly.

If only it had...?

Jane10
Actually, nor do I.
I get plenty of wear out of all my clothes no matter the cost.

Well, varian I don't attach any importance whatsoever to your posts as you clearly have your own deeply held and immutable views ehich certainly don't tally with mine, TG.

Pride about what? I'm no placard waving greeny.

Gabriella I know full well that hundreds of other brands of clothes are made in the near and far East. I didn't try to list them because I was pretty sure that most other Grans know that too.
I don't buy throwaway clothes myself.

Tbh it sounded like something a teenager would say. (Gabriella's remark)

When Gabriella posted "We don't need to be taught to suck eggs by anyone, much less by a kid from another country", it took my breath away. It says so much about her - not in a good way.

She could of course just listen to George Monbiot who is 56 years old and British.

Just remember that Greta may be "from another country" but we all share the same small planet.

Well, you know about the boat don't you? And then there's trains. We wait and see how she gets back from the US, but she won't disappoint.

How does Greta get about on her travels ?

mittenma you won't see me there, but if you see a dark haired lad with his hair in a topknot and a ginger haired curly top give them a clip round the ear and send them home do introduce yourself.