Petrified of people’s lack of care to our climate

[delusionalnights]

I just wish more people would cut flying down, go vegan/vegetarian or at least cut down meat, consume and waste less, have less children etc.

I hardly ever fly despite being able to afford long distance holidays because I’m terrified of climate change. We’re in a climate crisis and it’s not getting better. We now have less than 18 months before it’s irreversible, irrelevant of the carbon emissions we cut back after those 18 months have gone as it will have reached a tipping point.

People will lose their homes. There will be mass migration. The fucking Amazon is on fire. Please everyone, do your part and I know big cooperations and companies have a much larger part to play but the change starts with average people, it’s supply and demand, we demand less products, they supply less, hence emissions lowering.

Please everyone do your bit.

It's terrifying isn't it ? I have no idea what it will take to make people take it seriously

If I don’t fly long haul I won’t be able to see my family, I tried going vegetarian and ended up severely anaemic (apparently my digestive system just isn’t great) and I can’t exactly kill off my children for the sake of the environment (not having any more but purely for personal reasons). Even if I did do these things it still wouldn’t make a difference. Climate change is happening. We can’t stop it. We need to adapt ASAP.

@coffeeaddiction Exactly, it’s just small things which stress me out so much.

OP: It’s raining and DC doesn’t want to take the bus as he doesn’t want to get wet
People: Oh just drive him in!

It’s like no. Don’t just drive him in.

I don’t think some people realise how serious it is and really, every tiny bit does help.

@BogglesGoggles

That’s different. Most people don’t try going vegetarian in the first place!

It’s about balancing really. There won’t be a family to see if everyone flies.

Obviously see your family sometimes but I know people who are from the States and fly there and back every summer, winter and Easter holidays. No dependents there.

I agree! It's the most urgent issue of our time. Everything else pales in comparison. The whole world needs to wake up, come together, and act: change our lifestyles, change our systems. However, I fear we won't. It is too hard to give up our lifestyles. Our brains are evolved to pay attention to immediate, tangible threats and until the fire/flood is at the door, many people are not going to perceive the emergency. Instead we turn away, hope it will all just go away. It's important to stay positive and active, but so hard to do.

The amount of overconsumption is puke worthy
The Christmas threads fill my heart with dread.

I feel like individuals acting on a small scale is nothing if large corporations don’t do their bit. There are 100 companies responsible for 71% of the earth’s emissions, eating a veggie burger and skipping that long haul flight is barely a drop in the office if they don’t lead the way.

Ocean! Not office

boggles there’s still stuff you can do. Just buy less stuff - everything has a carbon footprint, so the less we buy the better. That’s something almost everyone can do.

I get that me composting my bamboo toothbrushes won’t save the world, but to me it’s a matter of conscience to do everything I reasonably can and I don’t understand people who seem just so wanton with needless consumption and waste.

OP, do you have children?

I agree OP.

I spoke to a family member about how the meat / dairy industry plays a part in climate change and their response for not wanting to cut down was 'because I like it'.

@Sparklesocks

You’re mistaken. Yes those companies are responsible for that but who’s buying products from those companies, using their services?

Us!

@TheCatsACunt
I have one teenage DD and one DSC. So only one biological child.

@Quaffy Exactly, at least we’ve done our small bit.

100 companies are responsible for over 70% of the worlds emissions.

In the nicest way, you going vegan and walking to work makes no difference.

Lol

I would like to think we will avert the complete disaster but knowing human nature i very much doubt it.
We will wake up when the disaster will be on our own doorsteps not far away in Amazon but it will be too late then.

@adaline

We literally buy and use products/services from those companies.
So in the nicest way, consuming less and creating a smaller demand helps

Also, that 30% of the world’s emissions do mean something!

@Sparklesocks I just don’t get that? How can you simply say ‘lol’ to a serious matter which, if not stopped, will kill humans.

I clicked on this thinking "preachy vegan or vegetarian" and guess what... nailed it!
I support recycling and being as efficient as possible but I like a meaty diet and public transport won't get me where I need to be. How about suggesting an organised boycott of american products in till they stop expanding coal? That's far more effective and important for the environment... but you wouldn't be able to demonstrate your righteousness at the dinner table!

But it doesn't make a difference.

Yes, those companies need to change- they're not going to change because Sue Smith decides she's not going to use them anymore.

The whole problem is a lot bigger than that. The infrastructure of the UK often means that you need a car, for example. Working hours mean you can't get your food from the local grocers anymore because you don't get home until 7pm. Pre-packaged food is often cheaper than healthy local stuff and much easier to come by. People often can't afford to change their lifestyle for the benefit of the planet because feeding their family and paying their bills is more important than what might happen in twenty years time.

YANBU. It stuns me that people consume so much.

You’re mistaken. Yes those companies are responsible for that but who’s buying products from those companies, using their services?

People who need heat and electricity...

Here are some articles which explain it better than I can

www.forbes.com/sites/simonmainwaring/2018/10/25/why-and-how-business-must-tackle-climate-change-now/

www.fastcompany.com/90290795/focusing-on-how-individuals-can-stop-climate-change-is-very-convenient-for-corporations

Acting on an individual level is not for nothing, absolutely - but it pales in comparison to the large scale corporations and the damage they are doing every second. It’s simplistic to say we can turn it all around with consumer choices.