To think if the environment is the only thing you care about, then you’re probably quite fortunate.

[ethelfleda]

I’m not saying we shouldn’t care about the environment, of course. It’s definitely one of the most pressing issues currently of course!

But we have one friend, who, is preaching to us over text and via social media about how nobody should vote for anyone at all because ‘nuclear power’ and that he is the only one enlightened enough to realise that we are ruining the planet and the only way forward is to not vote. Seems a bit of a stretch to me...

But am I being unreasonable to think that it this issue is at the very top of your agenda, that you’re lucky that you aren’t living in poverty... or are relying heavily on the NHS, or are a disabled person struggling to make ends meet etc and that maybe our friend should check his privilege??

This planet is broken - have you seen the news lately? In the long run the consequences of ecological collapse for humans are the same regardless of how wealthy you are. In the short term, wealth alleviates some of the discomforts of climate change disasters because if you have money you have options, if you have no money your options are limited. Therefore, how is this only a concern for the privileged? Radical change is needed to even make things bearable in the not to distant future, I am voting for a party who recognises that!

No, I don’t think he should check his privilege as it’s not a concern that fits within a hierarchy, it will affect all of us. If you feel that way you could argue that it’s good that people with the time / headspace are bothering to bang the drum.

I care very passionately about the environment and I am seriously worried about the potential state of the planet if something radical isn’t done soon.
Radical does not = turning your washing machine to 30 or using reusable straws.

I care about other things but the state of the planet is a source of major concern for me

Yes, I think you are right. Lots of people have other stuff to worry about such as death or ill health in the family, not being able to afford their next meal, or be really struggling with disease or mental health. For them climate change is probably not very high on their agenda.

Globally people who live in poverty and disabled people are at much greater risk from the effects of climate change. I would say you're privileged if you are so sheltered from the effects of our actions that you don't have to worry about them.

All our immediate worries are very pressing, but what will be the point of any of the decisions resulting from this election, if we don't address the climate crisis?

People all around the world are dying right now. The poor and the less poor. Sydney, New Zealand, California, as well as less developed (less white) parts of the world.

If you think you have more important concerns than the climate, then check your privilege!

I don't think many people care about the environment and nothing else - your friend doesn't typify all environmentalists.

In a way, though, he has a point - if the planet reaches a certain level of unviability, politics will become irrelevant. I don't think we are there yet, so I will be voting tomorrow.

In a way, you also have a point - it is a luxury to be able to care about anything beyond day to day survival, where your next meal is coming from, etc.

Most of us find a balance.

In a way, you also have a point - it is a luxury to be able to care about anything beyond day to day survival, where your next meal is coming from, etc

This sums up my point perfectly- thank you

Wouldn’t climate change be higher on everyone’s agenda if they didn’t have to worry about these things?

I'm sorry but that's just not true. If you want to see any kind of equality between the privileged and the poorest, it is a necessity to be engaged, make your voice heard because it's going to get a hell of a lot worse if you don't!

You could say that about anything that doesn't encompass your own basic day to day survival. If you're concerned about animal welfare, war in the Middle East, US gun laws etc etc you should check your privilege. It is a good thing to be passionate about things that could make the world a better place.

Fwiw your environmentalist friend sounds dumb as a rock.

Your are definitely not being unreasonable.

It's definitely the thing to be seen caring about though and woe betide anyone who suggests that their own personal struggles may take priority over caring about the planet.

For what it's worth though, the planet really couldn't give a fuck about us, in fact, the quicker we all become extinct the happier the earth will be.

goldenbear but how do you engage the poorest in society to care about and make radical changes for the environment, if they’re living day to day?

(And p.s. thank you for a respectful response, rather than a dressing down )

I get what you're saying, and there is certainly a strong middle class element in such movements.

Then there are people like me, for whom the natural world is accessible when the human world is not.

I really don't know why people get so worked up about this subject. The planet currently 'puts up' with humans, like it has done with so many previous, now extinct, beings. The sooner we realise that we are insignificant beings who are not going to change the planet to how some would like it, the better. Humans will become extinct one day and something else will take over. Just think about how insignificant we are, tiny animals on a small planet in a small galaxy in the infinite expanse of space!

I agree. It’s a middle class preoccupation. It takes the place of religion for people who feel guilty about being able to buy and do whatever they want.

Because we are not insignificant, and we are changing the planet. We are the keystone species par excellence.

We've done it before too. Climate change was a factor in the destruction of the Roman Empire, possibly in the Bronze Age collapse, and definitely in other civilizational collapses around the world. Nowadays we have unprecedented demographic levels, and so a collapse would mean equally unprecedented population losses. You might feel sanguine about that. I don't.

Globally people who live in poverty and disabled people are at much greater risk from the effects of climate change. I would say you're privileged if you are so sheltered from the effects of our actions that you don't have to worry about them.

This.

It's poor people, and mostly women, who will (if they aren't already) most greatly feel the impact of climate change.

I really don't know why people get so worked up about this subject. The planet currently 'puts up' with humans, like it has done with so many previous, now extinct, beings. The sooner we realise that we are insignificant beings who are not going to change the planet to how some would like it, the better. Humans will become extinct one day and something else will take over. Just think about how insignificant we are, tiny animals on a small planet in a small galaxy in the infinite expanse of space!

Couldn't agree more. This is why I have to baulk at "Extinction Rebellion" wanting to 'save the plant'. The two are oxymoronic. The planet will be better off without us. If you want to save the human race from extinction then fine. If you want to protect the planet then I respect that...you can't do both.

The environment is the most important thing. BUT the good news is that once our lovely species has died off, the planet will finally get a chance to recover.

You could look at yourself as privileged given the climate change will affect the poorest first.

It's poor people, and mostly women, who will (if they aren't already) most greatly feel the impact of climate change.

Why will women feel the effect of climate change more than men?

@imgoingtobangyourheadtogether - you are joking, aren't you? We ARE insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

On the planet or on the galaxy? Obviously one planet's fate is insignificant. But on the planet, no, no we're not.

Try thinking about the deforestation of the planet we've been engaged in for, oh, at least ten thousand years or more.

Try thinking about the deforestation of the planet we've been engaged in for, oh, at least ten thousand years or more.

Exactly, the planet will be better off without us.

That's a simplistic way of looking at ecology. By breaking the grip of huge forests, we create clearings where other species can grow and thrive.

We're living in the UK for goodness sake, one of the most human-altered and managed landscapes in the world. Thanks to the Ice Ages the ecological development of these islands has been almost entirely in our hands. That's what 'keystone species' means. But now we're no longer aware of our role in managing landscapes, we tell ourselves we have no responsibility, and so things get worse. Goodness, I don't know where to start with such a strange idea! How about the Gaia hypothesis, look into the way life as a whole has created this planet?