Youngsters demonstrating against climate change

We have just had two threads on this subject!
Being ‘horrified’ is a bit silly, they are being young teenagers
How interested were you in current affairs at that age?
Am sure the many children who took time off school to wave placards and yell slogans enjoyed it hugely.

I think this OP is "tongue in cheek"?

No, I don't think this posting is tongue in cheek. I would most likely share your disappointment specki4eyes, but 'horrified' is a maybe a bit strong. I do think that awareness of any issue grows for a number of reasons; it becomes personal, it attracts a critical mass, it becomes 'trendy' etc. Maybe your grandchildren lead quite insular lives and if it's a topic that not being discussed at school or among friends it's simply passing them by for now.
I live in a town where most of our local young people went into the city to join a bigger protest that was very well organised and attended, but a few turned up in the market square and were well informed, erudite and passionate about climate change. It left me feeling rather hopeful.

No one lives such an insular life as to not know about the horrific effects of global warming.

Are these two children having any adult input in their lives? Why were they newly out of their beds at gone midday on a Sunday? Do they have no mates? Nowhere of interest to go?

They need rescuing.

There is nothing "trendy" about global warming. Sadly it is very ongoing.

Please tell me you're joking speck4eyes.

I'm sure there are teenagers, just as there are adults, who are not interested in climate change, or anything remotely political.

My GC all joined the demo..though as they were on half term here they did it by collecting plastic waste off local beaches .I too would be disappointed if they were ignorant of glabal warming and the risk to marine life from waste .Thankfully our schools are on the ball with teaching about these subjects .Maybe because we also have waste from the Nuclear base dumped in our lochs . I know that theres an outcry amongst the community about the 22 submarines being dumped here too .They need to learn about these things NOW its them who will inherite the problem

The solution is very simple - people just need to give up the luxury of flying all around the world whenever the fancy takes them. A reduction to 10% of the current number of flights would do the trick.

My grandson (teen) isn't interested in anything much, except sport.
Its a teen thing.

I agree Global Warming is important but I thought the OP was far too stereotypical to be true.

If it is true I offer my apologies

Well, DGS, aged 9 was one of three children interviewed at his school about global warning and what they were doing. Obviously, being primary school, they were not striking but they did talk about the recycling, unrecyclable plastics scheme the school runs and how it contributes to conserving the world's resources and the importance of so doing.

Hopefully we are heading to a 5th generation of my family being politically involved.

Surely, all schools cover global warming in the curriculum.

Nothing political about it btw.

My grandson was demonstrating with the rest of them but he would give a two finger salute to any politician.

Parents and grandparents who take their children out into the countryside and explain to them about ecology...how trees, plants and animals interact and affect our environment are teaching a vital lesson. Those who seem to have no interest in such things and think it's the school's responsibility, shouldn't be surprised when said children show no interest in the natural world.

Join that kid up to the Scouts. (11 year old)

Most schools I have been in have Eco Councils that check the school is considering its 'footprint' , considering sustainability. Kids I know are interested! I know kids who were marching in London.

So pleased that children marched, they have more future to save than the generations who have let this abuse of the planet gradually increase. They are clearer sighted and prepared to act.

It would be nice if the OP would come back to this thread.

OK lemongrove perhaps 'horrified' is a trifle strong, but let us not get snooty over semantics. 'Appalled' 'shocked' 'dismayed' then! I was merely trying to express the strength of my disappointment.
On the contrary, I was very interested in current affairs at the age of 14/15, and given that many youngsters engaged in the march, it's unfair to lump all 'teenagers' into a catch all stereotype.
These DGC's of mine are (along with many of their pals) indolent, unmotivated, unambitious; but avid consumers of gadgets, gizmos, cosmetics and junk food. I wish I too could blandly excuse their indifference, but it saddens me to see that they are unaware of their environment and the impact of climate change. And the most disheartening thing is that I, unlike my own grandparents, cannot attempt any influence for fear of accusations of interference.

Grannygravy I'm not quite understanding why you perceive my post to be "stereotypical". Could you explain please.

I was interested in make up and pop music and all those sorts of things when I was a teenager (and still am, to some extent). But I was also interested in current affairs and had strong feelings about various issues of the day - capital punishment, apartheid, the laws re homosexuality, etc. I don't think one has to preclude another.

I don't think I would be horrified but I would be disappointed - and exasperated at seeing such indifference to important matters. Maybe their parents don't discuss these sorts of issues. I think children who aren't interested in books and ideas and current affairs sometimes come from homes where nobody else seems to be interested in them either and such matters are never discussed.

They were talking on the Jeremy Vine Show today about the children demonstrating. Several people thought they should have stayed in school because their education is more important. What is more important than the destruction of our environment and ultimately the possible destruction of all living things on our planet? One of the panellists spoke witheringly about a girl who'd gone on the march who'd then flown to Switzerland on a skiing holiday the next day. I thought it was a bit of a cheap shot. There must be many adults who care about environmental issues who still fly away on holiday sometimes - me included.

It seems to be some sort of a competition to have the most socially aware grandchildren, I think.
Just my opinion, and this demonstration seems to have heightened the need to be able to relay how ecologically informed they are to all and sundry.
Now I'm going to hide!

Schooling and education are not exactly the same thing. If my children were still at school now I would be fully supportive of them broadening their education by missing a day of classroom teaching to join in a demonstration against climate change.

Some of the children and young people who demonstrated will not yet have a full commitment to the cause, but they will be observing the passion of those that do and they will be better informed about the situation. Hopefully they will embrace it fully in the future and as a result they will examine their own contributory behaviours - and change them.