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??

YABU the people I know who are the most passionate about environmental issues also have a lot of other really bad stuff going on in their lives. They focus on the environment because it takes the focus away from their day to day difficulties.

Things will be a shit load worse for the poor with climate breakdown. If you think it's bad now, just wait.

Things will be a shit load worse for the poor with climate breakdown.

Why will climate change affect the poor (or as a previous poster suggested, women) more than it would affect anyone else?

I feel a bit the same about people getting extremely obsessed with unisex toilets etc, despite seeing the potential issues.

a) because they are the people who already live lives on the margins of survivability, and any factors affecting that - which to the rich would be a minor irritation, if they notice at all - will be the final factor that pushes them over

b) similarly, because the world's poorest live in marginal lands that are most readily affected.

It's not an absolute btw - think of how low-lying the Netherlands is. You might also want to consider the location, and height above sea level, of some of the UK's most fertile farmlands.
I really have to get back to my rl!

... and women will be most affected for the usual reason - because we have dependents and responsibilities.

... and women will be most affected for the usual reason - because we have dependents and responsibilities.

What? I'm a man and have dependents and responsibilities. It doesn't make me any more or less susceptible to climate change

Women: www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/gender-and-climate-change

Poverty: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_and_poverty

Disability: www.ldw.org.uk/why-climate-change-is-a-disability-issue/

I just picked a few but if you Google climate change and... for each of these issues there is lots of research. There is too much to explain in a Mumsnet post but basically these groups of people already experience inequality, which is exacerbated by disruption from natural disasters, food shortages, lack of clean water, lack of healthcare. There is also massive crossover between these groups, so women make up more of the world's poor and more of the world's disabled population. Also people who are rich, able bodied or male are more likely to have the resources to cope with climate crises and are more likely to be included in recovery and development plans.

Annoys me when I hear people saying the planet is dying. No, it’s not. Humans may find it hard to survive on the planet but the planet will live on. Just like it has through the many climate changes in the past. We are not so special, you know. We are like bacteria when you consider the size of space. The climate is changing. The planet is not dying. Huge difference

If you are struggling with basic needs now, it's only going to get worse with climate change.

To be fair, we are not trying to save the planet. We are merely trying to unfuck our environment so it continues to function within human survival levels.

It matters if you are poor as the basics - access to food, water and shelter from extreme temperatures - are going to become more scarce. Heatwaves are already killing people and they are increasing in frequency. Then there's wildfires, hurricanes, flooding...how many of us can survive our homes being repeatedly destroyed? For the poorest, the buffers are just not there.

I understand what people are saying about the planet being able to survive humans - and that it’s be better for the planet if we died off - but what about other species we take with us??

Well I have youngish children and can't/won't take this fatalistic stance, I find it morally repugnant and actually it's usually yet another manifestation of poltical apathy that allows people to justify their selfish lifestyles.

The people who are now most affected by climate change are the poorest in the world. The people in the UK who will be the most affected by climate change will also be the poorest. In fact that already happening in the UK - did you listen to anyone who was recently flooded out and cant afford to replace the contents of their freezers, clear up their ruined homes properly, lost money when they could get to work.

It's definitely a privilege issue - but not in the way you think! I'm poor and working class and I work on climate change.

Well I have youngish children and can't/won't take this fatalistic stance, I find it morally repugnant and actually it's usually yet another manifestation of poltical apathy that allows people to justify their selfish lifestyles.

If you have children then your lifestyle is an inherently selfish one. See? It's pretty east to take the moral highground ;)

If things continue as they are currently there will be no problems for anybody other than how to survive on an inhospitable planet facing natural disaster after natural disaster. I don't think worrying about how to pay the electricity bill or even about your health can compare to everyone dying.

My children aren't a 'lifestyle' choice. They will be supporting an aging population, just like my generation does and the one before it. It is not a statement of fact that having children is 'inherently selfish', it is your 'opinion', your 'view', your 'position', whatever you want to call it but it is not 'fact'!

There are so many anti-natalists on this forum these days.

I'm a bit surprised people don't realise that some people are more seriously impacted by adversity than others.
Austerity hit women, children and the disabled more severely than other groups.
Climate Crisis will as well.

Some groups have more resources to insulate themselves from disaster than others.