Climate change activists shooting themselves in the foot?

[2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney]

I had sympathy with the both the cause and actions (though not the vandalism) until today. They are now paralysing the public transport system. Isn’t the main thrust of encouraging better habits for climate change , getting people out of their cars and onto public transport.
Fact 1: people need to work
Fact 2 : most need to commute , short journeys or long.
Fact 3: protests are to promote awareness and get the people on your side.

THIS WON’T !

I'm considering driving to London for the first time in 30 years today as need to be somewhere at 4pm and can't be late. Really not a clever idea disrupting public transport if protesting about climate change. So whilst I agree with their protest aim they are going about it in a rather idiotic way. Just off to fill up the car with done polluting petrol.

I do agree with their protest but I'm annoyed by how they are protesting. I don't think it will help their cause - in fact it's likely that hinder it.

Yes it's annoying but it's an important issue, possibly the most important, and sometimes the methods have to disrupt to get those in power to take notice. No-one agreed with the sufferagettes methods either, or coal miners strikes etc but sometimes we all need to take their for the greater good.

The problem with their actions is

• it seems counterintuitive to protest on public transport, which is the environmentally friendly solution
• people are hadly going to be more positive if they get in trouble at work for being late. And lets face it, in Britain most managers will give you are hard time about being late even if it was caused by an earth quake.

A lot of them are just trouble-makers, and of course total hypocrites who delight on latching on to the latest thing. A few weeks ago a lot of them were probably at the idiotic 'stop Brexit/second referendum' nonsense, and next week - who knows?

How many of them own cars, fly on holiday heat their homes with fossil fuels etc etc? Total hypocrisy.

The hippies have had enough

And they're letting everyone know in no uncertain terms

I'm surprised and impressed

If there's no disruption then there's no reporting

They're brave all being arrested like that. They are right of course but don't think I'd put myself in the way of the met who have form for all sorts of dodgy behaviour. Impressive

Driving into London would be foolish. The tubes are working fine. You can walk still.
I live near one of the areas and it’s actually been quite nice to walk a bit more to the next available bus stop.

And actually I think good for them for raising awareness, London is horrific for pollution.
And we all do need to do something about it, this world is going to be fucked by humans.

They've still caused far less economic and environmental damage than bankers have yet loads of these protesters have been arrested in comparison to virtually no bankers.

I'd walk. But my 83 year old mum can't do so was going to get the tube but the station we need has someone glued to a train at the moment. Can't risk being late as she has an important appointment. So I'm the car we go - decided to get a cab as I just can't face driving. So some lovely diesel fumes being produced that didn't need to be. I do agree it's s very important cause but disrupting public transport is counter intuitive - they should be forcing people off the roads and onto the tube. Which won't cope at rush hour but that's another matter.

And our cabbie loves them ! Says he's tripled his taking today 😳. Not sure that was the plan

I wonder how they transported the boat in oxford street & the piano in Marble Arch? On the back of a bike seems unlikely. I’ve also driven in London today instead of getting the tube, they’re doing the cause more harm than good

Good luck to them I say. I don’t want my kids kids scrabbling around for food in a ravaged dying world.

Climate change is terrifying. People need to wake up.

I think the problem with supporting direct action of this kind in a representative democracy is that sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
So are those concerned about pensioners rights, womens rights children rights, the NHS, mental health provision, etc etc etc all entitled to bring the capital to a standstill? What about those concerned about immigration, failure to implement the Brexit referendum results etc?
We need tobe careful what we wish for.

It is an important issue, but the aim of the protestors is to get a meeting with the government I think? In which case it might have been an idea to do it when the government are not all on holiday.

Arguably climate change will have more catastrophic implications that the privatisation of the nhs, mental heath provision etc. All important issues but without a planet we will all die.

Imo the worst culprit is the car and animal products. Im with them.

I agree with the cause. Totally. Massive, biggest problem the world faces. No disagreement from me there.
But, don't disrupt the one thing that cuts greenhouse gases ! If the cabbies love the protest then it's not working right. Traffic is bad so think lots of people have had the same idea. Which is a shame when the Mayor was trying to prevent cars. Ah well, my cabbie is a sweetie and chatting up my mum

Unless they all live in central London, I’m guessing they’ll be hopping on a train or jumping in a car to get home. So they’ve made extra unnecessary journeys to make their point

Bit like celebrities flying to climate change conferences - by private jet. Do as I say, not as I do

Off topic but I am super impressed about how Farhana Yamin charged through the police cordon and super glued herself to the floor! I thought I misheard that when I heard it on the news.

As a bonus, I have a new plan now of how to get a doctor's appointment at my surgery now.

It's a lovely day in London and cabbie taking back routes to avoid protests so we are going via some very lovely streets. Surprised that there seems to be a bull problem in SW London though - so many cars have bars on the front that are there to prevent damage by large animals, but kill children, so can only assume there has been an influx of wild animals since I moved away.

Heading towards the centre now and mum keen to stop and join in the dancing she saw on the news. If you see an 83 year old lady with dodgy knees on the news, that's her.

I have a sneaking suspicion that many of them are the same people that travel the country being hunt sabs, animal rights activists and other civil disruption events. Having had my rural life disrupted by a group of determined, professionals I can't maintain much empathy!

I don't disgree with their political agenda, just that they need to do something more appropriate, less inherently dangerous to themselves if they want to be heard properly. Occupying the tube is just daft! Ill conceived grandstanding!

And I too wondered about the fossil fuels used to get them and that boat there.. and how many are using camping stoves...

As for the ex IPCC woman and superglue.... well!

I’m with them 100%. How many people here criticising actually DO anything in regards to climate change? Chucking a few bits in the recycling bin isn’t enough anymore.

Is everyone leaving their cars at home and walking/cycling or using public transport? Limiting flights, going as zero-waste as possible?

I don’t drive and manage to get dd and I about perfectly well. My plastic waste so far this year fills less than half a big bag (biodegradable, natch). I’m not trying to be smug, but I am EXCEPTIONALLY lazy and if I can do it anyone can.

We have 10 years until catastrophic damage to the planet. Do you not want your kids to have a home?

Well maybe those arrested should have to walk home!

Not surprised the cabbies are busy seems totally counterproductive

Yo be clear I am totally for climare change just not how they are protesting.
Contrary to what a pp said the Referendum march was peaceful friendly and very few police were needed. More than 300 arrested for these protests.

MustardScreams I needed er drive into London, I always use the tube. Today I used the car as a direct result of their protests. I’m not the only one so how are their protests doing a good thing?