to ask if anyone fancies joining a mumsnet climate crisis club

[areyoureadytobestrong]

Hi all, I've got a few "soft" resolutions about changing behaviours and I could do with being part of some sort of community to help me keep them.

I've broached to my family the idea that we should get the train on future holidays rather than flying (except for seeing grandparents in the US which I can't really do much about). It's doable but will take a bit of planning and determination.

Also I found out that my pension is invested in British American Tobacco which absolutely ridiculous and I'd like to change it (I'm self-employed so if I can just get round to it I could change this).

Lastly I left Ecotricity when I was on a savings spree a while ago and regret it. I ought to go back to them......

I was fairly active in campaigning about climate change back in 2009 but we gave up on our local group because people wouldn't engage after the recession. That seems to have changed now and I no longer feel like it's a lone battle round here.

Will wait and see if anyone turns up on the thread! It is a crisis that's going to affect our children after all.....

I am interesting in making some changes and would like to some new ideas

I'm in! I do the veggie-mostly vegan diet, don't drive, haven't flown in years, use recyclable stuff as much as possible and try to only buy vegan products. Any other ideas I get I'm willing to go with!!

ok cool.

you're way ahead of me Rugger....

I don't even like flying so I would enjoy stopping....

🌍 I'll try.

I mainly need to use a bit less energy and crack down on plastic packaging.
I can't afford to fly, I walk to work (although I have a car) and rarely buy meat.

I'm giving up my allotment as the dc's refuse to help these days but I'm going to dig a couple of small veg beds in the garden instead.

I’m in!
I haven’t flown in sometime and have to fly to a work conference this year which I’m disappointed about plus I use my car more than I would like due to my disability and unsociable working hours. I also have several children which obviously I can’t do anything about now.

We are trying to work on changing our lifestyles wherever possible.

• Shopping on foot locally
• Cutting out single use plastic (we have made several changes in this department)
• Growing our own food
• Eating 90% vegan
• Rarely using the central heating
• Children walk to school which seems rare in our local area
• 3 non essential electricity free evenings a week

Very interesting re your pension OP, I’m going to look into my investments and pensions.

re the pension I know there is a government pension service that should be my starting point.
It's finding the time (I know that is a poor excuse). At least nowadays you can actually see what the pension is invested in. My top 3 were British American tobacco, BP and other oil company (can't remember which one).
The pension is incredibly rubbish so maybe that means BAT is doing badly?
But it's fairly sickening to think of all the people making small choices to the good when all their pension savings are invested in the bad (especially BAT which has no redeeming features).

Absolutely. It quite recently (within the last 12 months) sunk in just how immediate this problem is. I think the realisation will come to everyone at different times. I follow a vegan diet and walk / cycle whenever possible. (which at the moment is 90% of the time and public transport the rest)
My new thing is cutting out buying. I had a bad habit with cheap children's toys as bribes, new clothes for holidays etc. We also opted for a staycation by train this summer instead of abroad.
I have considered joining Xrebellion, but I am quite shy and though I like what they do and respect them, I'm not sure I have the guts to join.

I'm in!

i want to be an eco warrior too, lead us onwards mcduff, sorry areyouready.

I'd join Friends of the Earth not Extinction Rebellion tbh. Far more solid and XR has a somewhat dodgy network behind it.

I went on a small XR demo today! It seemed to be mostly quiet thoughtful people taking part, it was a struggle getting chants and songs started, I joked about it at one point! It was a small impromptu gathering though, larger ones are much easier for shy types. I've decided to get crafting to make some lovely banners from my stash as my quiet contribution.
DH are not replacing our cars until we can afford a plug in hybrid, we are getting electric bikes on a special low cost loan and are going to commute by bike for a proportion of the year.

I’m in. In terms of power, we’re with Bulb. If you know anyone on Bulb, they can get you a voucher (and they’ll get one too). Worth asking on your Facebook for brownie points with friends.

I'd be part of it. To be honest this climate chaos will not affect me but I have grandson and if we do not change things NOW he will live in a terrible world.
We have to act now.

Not really no, I’ll take all the flights I like and eat all the meat cos I didn’t have kids. 😂

This sounds great! I'm in... You all know this centre?
www.schoolandcollegelistings.com/GB/Machynlleth/48933285145/Centre-for-Alternative-Technology

Me! I have given up meat and flying. Am working towards giving up diary (have dropped milk, still trying to wean myself off cheese) closed my HSBC account (they invest in fossil fuels) and opened new one with Triodos (very environmentally friendly), changed gas and electric to bulb, cut right back on single use plastic, haven't bought any new clothes in ages, stopped my pointless buying of tat and stuff that I don't need. No car.

Didn't think about pensions, will look into mine.

Whatever makes everyone feel better I guess...

I do 100 plus flights a year through job not going to change anytime soon.

Good idea! I only realised the seriousness of the situation recently and I'm keen to share ideas about what to do about it. I've been trying not to buy new things unless absolutely necessary - practising my darning skills on clothes and sheets. An appliance broke recently (OK I admit with embarrassment that it was a steam mop). I was pleased to get it going again by getting some previously owned parts off e-bay.

What do people do to get the kids onside? I sometimes feel torn between not wanting to 'deny' them the pleasures of a gift shop or trip to somewhere not served by public transport, but still wanting them to think about the environment. We've tried to take buses where possible this summer (at vast expense!) which at least they're keen to do.

Great idea! I'm in. In my opinion dietary change and also knowing where your finances are invested are key. For further info on resources for pension savers have a look at the NGO ShareAction shareaction.org/research-resources/
(I used to work for them some years ago!) And of course supporting which ever organisation you think is having the most impact is crucial, whether it's Extinction Rebellion, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace etc.

Nice idea. I've stopped eating red meat and want to drastically cut down my plastic use. I would love to be more involved in this.

Sure, good idea. Every little helps and all that!

Depends on your focus. Too many groups become too extreme, competitive and martyr-like. If you focus on restriction it will flop. Focus on positive steps, DIY, upcycling etc and you may be onto something. You catch more flies with honey etc. (Actually, you don't... weird saying)

I can't not drive to work due to distance and unpractical buses
And my holidays are important for my MH.
I have cut out using wipes bin bags single use plastic as much as possible im not buying nearly as much as I was and I don't have children.

I'm in! I've been trying a lot recently but I feel like every change I make, makes me realise how much more I still have to do.