Is it just me who finds that people try to challenge eco changes?!

[firstimemamma]

Hi, first time I've started a thread so please be gentle!

I just wanted to share my frustration and see if anyone else feels the same.

I'm no eco warrior but have recently started making small changes to try to reduce my carbon footprint and plastic footprint.

I would never try to force what I do on anyone else but am finding my efforts thrown back in my face a lot of the time!

For example if I bring Tupperware boxes to the butchers there is always a man behind the till who makes it as hard as he can for me to use them instead of their plastic bags. Lots of eye rolling and sarcastic "so you think you're saving the planet?" type comments.

In Starbucks I got a drink-in mug instead of a takeaway plastic cup, but when I receive my order I find that my milk comes in a separate single-use plastic pot next to my cup. It just seems so wasteful to me!

There have been many times when I've been made to feel difficult just by using my own shopping bag or declining a printed receipt.

I find it sad that by making even small changes to my lifestyle, I'm being made to feel like I'm really going against the grain.

Does anyone else feel like this and what examples do you have?

Overpopulation is not the elephant in the room - it comes up practically every time anything remotely environmental comes up. No one is trying to hide that. There is no point guilting people for kids that are already here, but yeah, campaign for easier birth control access and easier times getting sterilized or as reliable long-term contraception.

It's always frustrating when strangers or even loved ones act shitty for even at worst harmless 'pissing in the wind' actions we choose to take. I used to get a lot flack for not driving as a hippie thing (even though I medically can't), but I've found it's happened less over time.

I'm new to mumsnet and didn't realise that my thread would upset / annoy so many people! That completely wasn't my intention, it was just meant to be light-hearted. Thank you for the replies and sorry to anyone who didn't agree with my post x

People get very annoyed on MN.

@Apileofballyhoo as I'm discovering the more threads I read!

ItalianEarthenware, it's not just a signal I really am a superior being and therefore so are my kids. Bow before me.

Population is not the main issue. There is a list here of countries, their populations, and emissions (2015 carbon emissions from transport) per capita. Please have a look at how low India scores - 1.58 compared to USA (15.53), Australia and Saudi Arabia. Ok, this is only one measure, transport emissions, but others can be found. It's lifestyle.

Population IS a main issue. Too many people chasing too many resources, but justify away.

I think population is an issue, but people who don't want to make changes like top think of it as the main issue.