To wonder how the general public would actually react if the government took drastic climate change measures?

[tequilasunrises]

I’m talking about measures that would severely restrict people’s ability to live how they choose. For example, implanting a one/two child policy, heavy restrictions on animal products and car and air travel mileage.

From reading threads on here and talking to people in real life it is clear that many people agree something needs to be done to stop climate change but aren’t willing to make the bigger sacrifices.

So, who thinks there would be uproar and who thinks the public would be behind extreme measures?

I’d be very sad to have my travel opportunities limited but would be behind it for the greater good.

it needs to happen now. We have made so many sacrifices and are happy to considering what we are facing. We haven’t flown in 5 years and have given up meat and dairy, amongst many other changes which I won’t list. I would embrace it. We need to limit the damage now.

I would be behind it but I don't think m9st people would be. I am disgusted by the amount that most people I know fly for a start, they really don't seem to care (I've not flown since 2014 and the last time I did before that was 2010).

I suspect the general public would react by voting out such a government.

I wonder if many people even know the impact that flying has on the planet. I certainly never gave it a second thought until recently. Maybe a campaign to raise awareness would be a good start but I think ultimately it will have to come down to limiting the amount of miles people are allowed to fly.

@Moonmelodies I fear you may be right.

I don’t know. There was general outrage on a recent thread which suggested that we all commit to flying much less often.

I'd be pleased. I expect there'd be a lot of moaning though.

I think a one/two-child policy would be unrealistic here so we’ll leave that aside. As for the rest, my good heaven, looking at how much people froth at a plastic bag tax I think we’d be looking at riots in the streets. People truly have no idea of how serious the situation is and many simply don’t care.

Limiting flying in a more globalised society will be extremely difficult. People have jobs and family abroad, decisions made on the basis of being able to travel quickly by plane.

Also, we have regular flights between the north and south of our own tiny little island because the trains are so shit and expensive.

Also lots of people live such busy and stressful lives that they look forward to an annual week in the sun all year.

Freight is being flown all the time as well.

We could have a unit system you could then have more freedom

Ie veggie meals. 10 Pts
Flying 1000
Ferry crossing 150
Burger 50
Plant a tree +50
Walk to town +10
And so on.

We could have a family or personal limit

It’s can be monitored on an app

Ok half kidding but we all need to do something including other governments and corporations

As for the rest, my good heaven, looking at how much people froth at a plastic bag tax I think we’d be looking at riots in the streets.

Exactly what I was going to say!

I've only flown twice in my life, and that was 12 plus years ago. I walk to work, I don't drive. One child. I shop second hand whenever I can. Keep the thermostat lower than I'd like in winter.

Overall I'd be happy to think my child and possible future grandchildren had a better future than is looking likely atm. I'd want it to apply to everyone, rich people as well, otherwise I can see them carrying on as normal while ordinary people have to make all the lifestyle changes. And as far as transport goes there would need to be decent public transport in place, cheap and reliable.

People have jobs and family abroad, decisions made on the basis of being able to travel quickly by plane.

This is certainly true. I would never have moved abroad if I knew that I would not be able to get back quickly in an emergency. (I very rarely return but that’s not the point!)

I would fully support it but I am not sure the majority would. Even at work we have people who think its just personal preference and it should be forced on others. All I have to do is compare the weather. Our winter is later and our summer is like spring in Cyprus.

Agree that air freighting should be a priority, we don’t need strawberries all year round.

I think a hefty carbon tax on flights. Yes people want a holiday in the sun or have family abroad, but that won’t matter much when climate change starts to cause food insecurity, drought and war.

I tjink we don't do enough. Other countries, Australia for example, have eliminated plastic bags entirely. And yet on here somrone was moaning about having to take a tesco order without bags from.their front door to the kitchen!

What about forcing big companies to make changes though? It's shocking how little the supermarkets have done about plastic, for example. If everything was packed in cardboard and paper and glass bottles people would be happy about it but it's not is it? You can only buy what's actually on the shelves...no doubt someone will mention some mega expensive little independent place that now sells stuff loose if you take your own tupperware, but it needs to be on a huge scale to make a difference.

I haven't flown for years and I only got a car 18 months ago my carbon footprint has been dam light

So ‘ordinary’ people should be restricted while things like motor racing go on?

I don’t think so

I’d be annoyed that they’ve been fooled by the latest liberal bandwagon, tbh.

We could ration air miles ? Food and driving is more a necessity than a luxury . Travelling for work is surely not as necessary now with the internet. When people say they’re travelling for work I do wonder what on earth they do that can’t be done via the internet / video calling etc

Thinking about it further: businesses would quickly argue for a tiered system re: how much people are allowed to fly, as they would not be able to recruit skilled people from abroad if these people had limited air miles available to them (as you’d just refuse an overseas move, wouldn’t you, if you knew you couldn’t go back for Christmas each year or whatever).

It would also be “unfair” to people who had settled from abroad for whatever reason. Would they no longer be allowed to visit loved ones in their home country? If you were from SE Asia or Australia this would be a big issue.

They could turn off the internet for an hour every night. Them there networks be using lots o powers.

I can tell you that no government should start doing anything until they all do. A friend worked for an Emirate private airline for a prince. They fly their dogs by private plane (only the dog as a passenger) when they want to see them. Honest to God, until the rich start changing I feel like a mug even washing the yogurt pots to recycle.

And when my friend who travels extensively by plane goes on about their electric car I want to scream.

I'm with Costa on this, when it is just us plebs, no thanks.

It’s crazy. I try to do my bit - we grow our own veg, have chickens, buy seasonal food, have a hybrid car, holiday in uk etc. But dh has a job that involves him flying from UK to USA and back every week. It kind of makes everything we do feel a bit pointless in comparison.