Why isn't the climate crisis being talked about much on here?

[sdra]

It's Armageddon dire. www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/ipcc-climate-report-updates-un-b2024751.html

Is it because people feel they can't do anything about it? Don't believe it? Media doesn't ring alarm bells much so we feel we're sleepwalking into a disaster? Am genuinely curious as to why it's not really discussed on mumsnet. It's the same IRL. Covid. Yup. The war. Yup. Climate? Never.

Also I guess because it is so complex and so political. I just feel pissed at gov and big businesses right now for so utterly failing on all counts. There said it. I'm scared. Everything feels scary right now. ☹️ Hope you are all ok. Deep breath. Cup of tea. Try and have a good day and be kind to people!

Personally I think we’ll all be vaporised in nuclear war before we ever have to worry about climate change. Maybe if we survive the war then we can think about other pressing issues.

We’re all scared but there is inertia and paralysis on what to do as the problem is so big. People are busy, stressed, time and money poor and just trying to make it through the week. We need to be spoonfed the changes we can make today, as quickly and easily as possible. We need a financial system that rewards sustainability, not the opposite. We need leadership- politicians coordinating globally to act together, not individual states working independently. Social media hasn’t helped- ordinary people try to do some green thing, then someone else will say oh actually that really damages xyz and then everyone backs off from doing anything at all, because you feel like you have to be an expert to get it right, but then even the experts don’t agree. Social media also massively feeds consumerism when it could do the opposite.

If a lot of people do some small to medium lifestyle changes presumably that will be more impactful overall than a very few people living absolutely perfectly and blamelessly.

Mostly because people CBA to make the necessary changes. Like using public transport or walking instead of private car ownership, wearing jumpers & putting a blanket on the bed instead of having the heating on. Buying less clothes but being more mindful of what they buy, e.g. natural fibres that will rot down more quickly than polyester/acrylic, don’t release micro plastics & that can be mended rather than having to be replaced every few months because they’re extremely poor quality. Also donate old clothes in good condition & buy second hand.

And yes, fatalism.

@RoseWindow Yes to ALL of this!

I think the wealth inequality is also hugely problematic. When we see Jeff Bezos and the like firing off into space what difference is turning our thermostat down by 1 degree going to do? But then that problem circles round too as if it were the opposite, and we had inspiring leaders and people in power actually doing solid things, it would motivate others to make small (but not insignificant) changes too

Backside there’s nothing we can do about it?

People are still too busy anti-baccing their post and shopping "just in case", that's why and wandering round in face masks that they then drop on the floor. And frantically doing LFT's every few hours "just in case" too, never mind all the toxic trail of waste left behind them.

Covid has created a wave of hysteria among so many that it's going to take years for that to die down and for people to open their eyes to real suffering, sadly. Makes me despair of the human race, it really does.

Also we’re all completely powerless. I work in the environment sector and a lot of what individuals do – and I do too – is fiddling while Rome literally burns. Worrying about where to recycle a paracetamol packet or switching off lights won’t make an ounce of difference, and I think more and more, people are realising their efforts against pollution and global warming (and often conflating the two) are drops in a rising ocean, and since it’s all so fucking difficult and expensive, why bother. I could spunk all the money I don’t have on an EV and solar panels and a heat pump, but then I’d just be poor and still in a climate crisis.

@sdra I think the posts on this thread summarise your question very well. It's a mixture of CBA, misunderstanding, misinformation, existential overload and the natural tendency for people to focus on the immediate.

The vast majority of CO2e emissions are from burning fossil fuels for transport, power generation and heat. Changing this is going to require massive civil infrastructure changes. Individuals, families and communities absolutely have a role to play, not least in their buying and lifestyle decisions.

OP I am amazed you think it's not being covered. My perception is it's relentless, and has been for years.

@EmmaH2022 in comparison to what a big deal it is it really isn't getting enough good quality coverage. You refer to lies but I have no doubt that was a combination of well intended misunderstanding and misrepresentation.

Armageddon fatigue. I am maxed out on armageddons.

A colleague and I were discussing these dictionary companies that do a “word of the year” announcement, making dire predictions for 2022.
2021 was “vax”.
2020 was “lockdown”.

We wondered - what did we worry about before Covid and War then?

Turns out:
2019 was “Climate Emergency”.

So there’s your answer… it’s not the only fish to fry. As it happens, I work for global business and we talk about all 3, all the time.

To those answering "armageddon", what was your excuse 2 weeks ago, before this kicked off?

I don’t think the human brain (or any brain) has evolved to cope very well with this sort of threat. We don’t know exactly how and when climate change will affect us. We also don’t know exactly how much we have to do to mitigate it (as individuals). Well, I don’t anyway.

I sometimes think that if a meteorite was due to collide with the earth, on say, 1st October 2023, we would grasp that situation much better and different nations would work together towards a common plan to deflect/destroy the meteor. But climate change is somehow too intangible, even though it’s happening now.

Learned helplessness. If I can't trust Boris to stick to one of his own rules for a few weeks then how can I believe our government competent or trustworthy enough to do anything about climate change. The only way climate change will be solved is if there is money in it for the top of society.

And how about we start to connect the dots between what's happening in Ukraine and the climate crisis, and start to think about how we can begin to have a future where we are not all economic and political hostages the interests of fossil fuels

Because nobody wants to make the changes one needs to make to help.Eating less animal products,driving less,not participating so much in consumer lifestyle etc.Its easier to ignore the issue

@mynameiscalypso

Just start a thread about having more than two kids and you'll soon have a discussion on it.

I agree.

Though say you’re a none driving family - and MN will call you selfish and unreasonable. If you say there's an underlying medical reason you'll have a few poster hound you and then insist whatever it is mean you can still drive. Have no money MN pay for driving lessons.

Even electric cars aren't really an answer - as somewhere has to make the electricity.

Around here extension to wind and solar farms have been curtailed due to environmental reasons - tidal can't get investment/past environmental concerns. Government seems to be thinking small nuclear which opposition parties are opposed and environmental lobby hate. Coal mining proposed politically toxic, and I think north sea expansion has similar issue. Same time everyone is panicking about energy prices.

Apparently in next few years here all gas boilers will be gone – but there’s no work to educated people on other options or make it widely known. Nearby area had council back improved insulation scheme done so badly houses all have extreme damp issue – and no compensation on offer – another area can’t get people to take up free loft insulation as no-one wants the disruption. None of my family with smart meters have found they’ve lower bills – all they seem to do is cause stress.

It's like MN dry washing outside – when I can I do – but I live in wet bit of UK and many weeks it’s not possible and washing still needs to be done – at those time driers or heat are needed.

We have heating down, don't drive, and do the recycling beyond that it need leadership and clear direction at higher level than us.

We don’t know exactly how and when climate change will affect us. We also don’t know exactly how much we have to do to mitigate it (as individuals). Well, I don’t anyway

This is where the media and government have failed us. They also fail with reporting positive developments in technology etc which will help solve the problem, which mean people fell ever more hopeless. There is a lot going on there, we have solutions, they just need to be speeded up.

Huge amount of emissions from meat and dairy products. Best single thing an individual can do is become vegan or as close as possible.

And join activist groups that pushes for real change.

Everything else is great, but not enough people doing it to make a real difference. However, the more you know, the more you think about your own behaviour.

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/28/what-is-the-ipcc-climate-change-report-and-what-will-it-say

We didn’t evolve to be herbivores. The planet can easily support a smaller population of meat eaters. The fact is there are too many people.

When people start taking it seriously, then I will.

The fact is there are too many people.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60405441

Wales' birth rate is at a 100-year low, below the European Union average and third out of the UK's four countries.

...

Wales birth rate has fallen even year since 2010.

In 2020 there were 19% fewer births than in 2011

The average number of children born to a woman (total fertiliy rate) has hit a record low of 1.47 - ower than England, N.Ireland and the EU average.

26.5 % of the Welsh population is aged 65 and over compared to 18.5% in 2011
...
Research shows Scotland's total fertility rate (TFR) is even lower than Wales', at 1.29.

....
He said the consequences could include:

Falling pupil numbers making some schools unviable
Increased demand on the NHS and care services from the elderly coming at a time when the working-age population is not growing
A likely increase in the cost-per-person of maternity units, childcare and youth services, meaning families may have to travel further to access them

I can't image the squeeze on living costs is going to mean much change in the forseeable.

The UN projections for world population also show peak sooner and lower level than first feared.

People have acted here and are continuing to do so.