Extinction rebellion. Waste of police time.

[sabrinablue]

Whilst I worry about climate change and try to do my bit, I can't help but feel that the extinction rebellion protests are going a step too far. So many officers in London are dealing with protestors that they can't get resources to those who are in trouble and need it. As a survivor of domestic violence who needed to call the police and have them attend quickly, I can't imagine what would've happened if they couldn't attend.

AIBU to think that a) the protests will likely not influence any government plans to tackle climate change, and b) that protests such as these are a huge unnecessary drain on police resources as soon as people start breaking the law.

Or am I missing the point entirely?

I don’t get why they need to turn the protest in to a ‘fun’ event, with music, skateboard ramps, pianos etc. If they are serious about the message then why all the frippery. Obviously they need entertainment otherwise it will be boring, and they don’t care enough about the cause to be bored. They need things to entice supporters.

I do wonder if the protest would have gone on for so long had the weather not been so good...

They've raised more awareness in a couple of days than others have done in years.

Have they actually?

I don’t think there’s anyone out there who wasn’t aware that climate change is going to be terrible, who now is as the result of these protests.

Plus, they’re only demonstrating in London. There’s a lot of this country outside of London where people really don’t care that Vauxhall Bridge was blocked for a few hours...

You're missing the point entirely. As is Michael Gove and the rest of the government. Wilfully, destructively.

'Worrying about climate change' isn't going to do anything. This isn't a guilt fest. This is a call to action.

Personal action is important, but wholesale system change is needed.

Here. Everywhere.

It is urgent AND important.

showmethegin

I’m not saying they shouldn’t be protesting to try and get things changed on a greater level, I’m just saying they should practice what they preach and actually make changes themselves as well as protesting!

Also yes it’s best to use the old cars instead of scrapping them, but the people I know who use massive diesel vans that only seat 2-3 people to drive half way across the country to get to these protests would do better to get public transport or car pooling with someone who’s using a less polluting vehicle that fits more people

There would be 20,000 more police officers on the street had Mrs May not wilfully cut the numbers.

Enough for proper policing AND a small presence at peaceful protests.

I'm always confused when people say that they bet that all the protestors still drive, use single use plastic etc. The governments of the world have tried to make climate change an individual issue when it isn't. How are we meant to buy food without plastic when it's the default for supermarkets and companies? How are we meant to use public transport when it's underfunded to the point of uselessness?

One shipping container ship emits as much pollutant as 50 million cars. Now tell me that one person getting rid of their car will make a difference. We'd need to get rid of all the cars in the UK to offset one container ship.

their “demands” are just so laughably unrealistic they’re not even worth attempting

Isn't that just the point? If they asked for something realistic there's a risk it might be agreed to, and then they'd miss their chance for a nice, self-indulgent day of protest in the sunshine, with the tantalising chance of theirs being the smirking face in the news if they're moved on

Great points being made on this thread.

I totally agree that it is urgent and important. I don’t know if the protesters will achieve their goals by protesting, but I completely understand why they’re doing it. Like, we have to do something to encourage world leaders to make a significant change. The alternative is to sit around waiting for the inevitable, which I don’t really fancy either.

So, waste of police time...? I don’t know tbh. It’s actually reminded me to make some personal changes. Yes, I already knew and was aware, but I think seeing all those people so passionate about the cause did wake me up a bit as I was becoming complacent.

At the same time, I can see how if you couldn’t get help from the police because they were busy with the protests that would be infuriating. But actually, police cuts and austerity are probably more to blame are they not? So who should we really be angry with?

I also think it’s amazing how young people are getting involved with this, with the marches previously. It’s such an important cause and I am so impressed that they refuse to be apathetic about it. Better than a lot of people my age. Fair fucks to them.

The one thing that Extinction Rebellion haven't mentioned is that people can help for future generations and for people in less developed countries by limiting their families.

But they won't say that because, when I've been reading about people gluing themselves to doors, it says 'mother of three', 'father of two'. Why do people in a developed country, with good health care meaning your child is likely to become an adult, need more than one child? And please don't say 'only children are lonely', 'how many kids I have is my business' because how often I fly, the food I decide to eat and the way I transport myself is my business. But Extinction Rebellion want to change those things (like the bloke who said people should only fly in emergencies - but had his little trip to Pisa plastered over Instagram...)

If you have one child and that one child has one child by the time that grandchild is full grown your family will have three cars on the road (assuming each generation of the family has one car). Double that to two children down the generation and you're at 7 cars on the road in the same time frame (one for grandparents (1 car), one each for the two kids (2 cars) and one each for each of their two kids (4 cars in total at that generation level). Change cars to gallons of water, houses, holidays, meat, vegetables - whatever you want - and you'll see the biggest change that is needed is cut down on the number of people born.

But Extinction Rebellion won't say that because they'd have to admit that they made a mistake by having their 2, 3, 4 or whatever kids that they are so worried about the future for.

Yes we do have to change - our transport system, the food we eat, the way we live all has to change...and so does the numbers of people we bring into this world.

All they’re doing is pissing off the people they’re trying to influence. It’s completely counterproductive.

Not all families own cars

"Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little"

Theyre not pissing off me

Population is definitely an issue, but I don’t think it’s fair to say they aren’t allowed to protest simply because they have children. All the more reason to protest, surely? It’s their dcs who are going to have to deal with the mess we’re making.

And considering about ten people in some parts of Africa would make the same mess environmentally as one single, childless westerner, it suggests that lifestyle is a factor, not JUST population.

It’s so important to discuss population and it’s really disappointing when people oversimplify and use it as an excuse to do fuck all. “You can’t tell me I’m harming the environment as you’re a parent” seems to be the argument. Really? It’s so thick headed it’s actually embarrassing.

On the point of realistic demands....realistic demands won’t be enough to save us

Unrealistic is just code for “we don’t want to and it would be too much change too quickly and people will lose money”

This is the end of the line. What will you say to your grandkids when they ask what you did? Tell them you bitched about how your commute was a bit longer for a few days? Tell them you recycled your baked bean tins?

We need a massive massive shift in the way we live and we need it now. Not in 50 years. We’re standing on the precipice today!

I’m sure nobody was particularly happy about rationing in the war. But the government found a way to make them comply. They need to find a way to make everyone comply today. Now.

Stop single use plastics.
Massive investment in public transport and cycle lanes
Massive investment in renewable energy
Get cars off the road as far as possible

We’re killing the bloody planet and your moaning you had to take an extra tube ffs

The problem is lack of police.
There have always been protests but there used to be more police.

The protestors are not pissing me off either.

You can have a hundred thousand more police if you want but they have to be funded somehow

It's a bit of a cop out. They go on an extinction rebellion march and think they've done their bit for climate change, but they haven't. They've just annoyed people instead of trying to engage them. As a pp suggested, a beach, city street or canal side clean, with pictures of the resulting piles of waste, would be more effective. Like some time ago, when a beach clean unearthed a 1960s crisp packet, looking fairly pristine, which I found amazing and shocking in equal measure. Or go and scoop some of the plastic out of the sea and shame manufacturers by publicising how much of their waste ends up where it shouldn't. This is largely how the massive use of plastic carrier bags was reduced. There is so much practical and interesting/revealing stuff they could be doing, but instead they glue themselves to Jeremy Corbyns fence. I think their demo's have more to do with the spring holidays, good weather, having a jolly with like minded people.... and a bit of authority baiting

There is no single bigger issue facing humanity than climate change. It’s for the police to decide what their priority is. These protestors are creating civil unrest because everything else has failed. They’re not hurting anyone.

Personally I’m glad these people have the balls to protest and I wish I could join them.

Whilst i applaud the people who have the conviction to pull this off for whatever their protest reason. I do think they've aimed it at the wrong demographic. Why not block parliment. Why not stop politician's leaving/arriving as they are the ones who hold the power to do something lawful about climate change. We can all make a difference day to day in the choices we make. But untill they make it law that stops single use plastics or deisel/petrol cars ect then they're essentially pissing on the wrong fire. Sorry to all of you who have had their days ruined through this it must be frustrating. They blocked the roads in devon recently and caused chaos. Ambulances couldnt get through and they intentionally caused more pollution by idling cars. Great cause but badly thought out imho.

I know someone who has been there all week. I can promise you she does beach cleans, runs our local plastic free Facebook page, doesn’t own a car or go abroad.

They caused more pollution than its idling cars

No they really didn’t. Who are these idiots who sit in traffic with their cars idling?! Turn your bloody engine off!