To think that you must be pretty dumb to still be unaware by now (or be a hermit)

[Sloeginclub]

How can anybody still claim to be unaware of climate, plastic pollution, species extinction issues by now? Are there people who have zero access to modern life out there? Genuine question. Media of all types, TV, radio, internet, social media, adverts for products, ads in shops, kids learning in schools and colleges, politicians (!) , info we get through door from local council, its everywhere! Taking personal action or not is another matter and a whole other thread but claiming to KNOW nothing about any of it? I don't understand that.

if you act like trump then yes your wrong.but i do think some people genuinly cant think of it.like most things to hard to comprehend its easier to put a wall up and say "not happening not happening" perhaps not the smartes tthing to do but they arent dumb.

You are right OP. If someone tells me they know but don't care, won't/can't change their behaviours, are afraid and prefer not to think about it, or think it's out of their hands so no point worrying that's one thing. Those makes sense.

But people that seem to be unaware? Baffling.

I've heard the most idiotic comments. Just this week - "If climate change is real, how come summer doesn't come in winter and winter in summer?" During this conversation, the air around us was literally thick with smoke from out of control and unseasonal bushfires taking place all over the state. (I live in Australia).

Here on MN, I saw a person was posting about how climate change is all fake, they also said "no I don't ever watch or read the news". They seemed very proud of this fact

I was unaware so many people rely on straws, to the point that disposable or metal straws were invented

Why not just stop using straws ?

To be honest I have enough day to day problems to think about and could not really give a flying flamingo. There, I've said it

I am aware of the fuss everyone is making, but I really just don’t care, and things like the extinction rebellion and Greta Thornberg just make me even convinced that I’m right not to give a shit.

I believe it's happening but have very little knowledge of what 'It' is.

I stopped watching/listening to the news a couple of years ago because I realised it was having an affect on my mental health. Nearly every day there was a child being abused or murdered and I was so upset by it.
I now follow weather channels but avoid most news. So this might explain your question on how people are genuinely not informed when it is on the news/social media.

It has never occurred to me to take the time to research it.

I have a full time job with a professional qualification, suffering from postnatal depression and anxiety, have a partner that works away from home, a 6year old with autism and a young baby. I guess this is where my worries lie at the minute. My spare time is spent reflecting on my therapy sessions and bringing the theory into practice.

I'm loosely aware of the issues you are talking about but am not informed. I do recycle but that is as far as my knowledge brings me. Does this all make me 'dumb'?

FWIW I'm not ignoring the subject and if I was to see any tips here or elsewhere I would take them.

@prawnsword my both my DC are disabled and struggle to drink without a straw.
We use paper straws or metal straws now and I always take them out with me and refuse plastic.

If this is really based on an MN post, then what you need to understand is that people on't always post the literal truth.

A bit like the poster who claimed to be unaware that England had reached the semi finals of the Worlc Cup (in the immediate run up to the match, when there was 'wall to wall' coverage, including all over the front page of The Times (the poster's claimed newspaper of choice)

Plastic isn't going anywhere, they may reduce it on certain items but things like plastic bottles are likely to stay for some time. There is currently no viable alternative. Glass is heavy and fragile. Tetra Pak contains plastic and is not recyclable.

puds11
!!! Genuine Question !!!!

Those of you who aren’t fussed / fed up of hearing about it, did extinction rebellion and the antics associated with it aid your lack of interest?

From those that I have talked to.
Its the virtue signalling from those types of groups, + celebs (and royals) flying around the world, the parents that state 'won't somebody think of the children' whilst ignoring that they are a major part of the problem.

And the ignoring of other scientists that while not disputing climate change argue against the immanent projections of catastrophe (500 wrote a joint letter to the UN whilst greta was there).

I know full well about it OP. And I don't really ignore it.

But I do resent having to drink my McDonald's drinkt through a soggy paper straw when everyone in the US is driving around in a 5 litre diesel. As I get older, I do start to wonder why I bother.

Dumb? Nice.

I feel that what I do is a bit pointless - Living in the southeast with planes wuzzing over every few minutes and increasing all the time. VERY fed up with wealthier friends blathering on about eating and wearing organic and building their own 'eco' homes to do their bit when they fund all that with jobs requiring frequent international travel and holidays abroad. I am worried about the coral reefs, but me not using a car and trying to recycle crisp packets and taking a bottle around for water I don't think will make much impact. No one currently in power is very interested because they'll have to start changing the way they live and they don't want to.

Are these people claiming to have heard no news or information at all on climate change? To be completely in the dark?

Or isn't it on their 'bothered' radar?

Or are they preached at to make changes that they can't make, giving up a car for more eco friendly one for example, and snapping at the preacher to shut them up?

My friend is very preachy about cars, yet flies several times a year and eats a lot of meat. Now people do prioritise and live in their means but her behaviour has lost her friends as she bangs on about how awful they are for driving yet doesn't see that they've made changes they can, for example pissing off my vegetarian friends. My veggie friends don't slate her for meat eating or flying loads!

Your use of the word ‘dumb’ is fucking horrible. Have a think about what that word means and why it’s as offensive as calling people ‘retard’ to mean stupid.

I think you are mistaken because everyone is aware. They either care, dont care or cannot change due to circumstances. E g everyone has a car to get to work in opposite directions, out of the city. Nothing is 'local" any more. Electric cars are too expensive for those on minimum wages. Many business people flying to different countries on a regular basis etc.

I think it's because most people do know, bit can't be arsed to do anything about it.
Then to make themselves feel better, they try to argue hypocrisy in those who are trying to make changes because it allows them to let themselves off the hook.

Eg. You can't care that much about the environment because you eat meat (as if that some how negates the effort someone is making on plastics).
You can't care that much because you have a car (as if that negates someone trying to source their food locally)

I do roll my eyes at people who are very preachy and evangelistic on things and then go on a yoga retreat to South East Asia, but people doing their best is a start.

People forget the world doesn't need 10 people to do everything perfectly, it needs millions/billions of people to make a start

This is very interesting! I have to say the preachy people do much fucking head in! Had someone thinking they were to bollocks for filling in a form about Sainsbury’s use of plastic bags Not really Nobel worthy!

I also think it’s very wrong the amount of pressure and attention Greta Thunburg gets. She so young and I keep seeing things where adults are posting or holding placards saying ‘save us Greta’ save yourself you useless worm!

Well my grandmother emigrated from the USSR in her 70s with very limited English. She learned some more obviously but never managed enough to become fluent. The Russian newspapers she reads are written for pensioners and don’t mention this. It’s not really a topic of conversation that ever comes up so how would you expect her to know, she’s not a stupid woman, she was one of the most esteemed doctors in her specialisation when she was working, she’s just old and out of touch.

I'm pretty sure most people are aware but even I know a few people who don't have TV and don't bother with social media. People who are sick of hearing about the bad things in the world.

I do what I can but we need make drastic changes to really impact climate change, like have less children, give up eating meat, stop manufacturing plastic products entirely, stop flying and driving cars altogether. Very few people would consider doing that.

I am worried about the coral reefs, but me not using a car and trying to recycle crisp packets and taking a bottle around for water I don't think will make much impact.

I feel the same way, but I have taken steps. I drive less than 5k miles per year now since working within walking distance of home rather than an hour away. I recycle all I reasonably can and no longer buy anywhere near as much bottled/canned drinks.

But I feel it's all a bit pointless when supermarkets continue to wrap pallets in miles of plastic sheet, when empty buildings are lit and heated all night, when China is still building new coal power stations, etc.

Still, I'll continue to make relatively small/easy changes to chip away at my own carbon footprint. Can't see it making any impact, but it we all do it, it may start to send stronger signals to governments, big organisations (business and public sector) to change their ways.

I feel it's such a shame that the Green party seems far too extreme for normal voters to support. Around here, they are a complete joke with their ridiculous plans. If they were more realistic, I think they'd be very popular and would actually start to be able to make a difference.

I also think there's too much "smoke and mirrors". Eg the way supermarkets have demonised and concentrated on carrier bags and small bags for fruit & veg. It's just their way of attacking the easy targets and blaming customers.

Why aren't they doing something to stop the wrapping of pallets in miles of plastic sheeting? Why are they still using non recyclable plastic in virtually everything they sell? Why are they wrapping fresh bread in plastic rather than a paper bag (it's not sealed so not for preservative reasons). Why are Morrisons wrapping sliced meat off the counter in a plastic sheet and then putting it in a plastic lined paper bag? The fact is that it's easier for them to concentrate on more superficial "customer fault" matters such as carrier bags and fruit/veg bags. It's that kind of hypocracy that annoys people who are trying to do their bit.

I am aware but I don't need yet another lentle weaving fucking leftie to push it into my face
Do you say stuff like this in real life? Just I can't imagine being so incredibly offensive and dismissive of other human beings but hey whatever works for you, I'm sure you're otherwise a well adjusted and happy person

Sorry, I shouldn't have used word dumb. Didn't mean to offend anybody.

GreyTS - yes I would ask somebody in real life how the various coverage has passed them by. Not sure why that has riled you so much. Odd that you're make assumptions about my diet or political leanings, I didn't mention anything about actions, my post was purley about AWARENESS.