If it’s that bad, why aren’t we panicking more??

[Nightgardenisodd]

Climate change.
I keep reading posts about it and it’s scaring the crap out of me for my DD’s future.
How bad is it? Anyone have any positivity about it?

I will come on and be prepared to be flamed here, but I feel it's important to spell out why the average Brit isn't bothered -

I am fairly comfortable money wise. I see things happening in the media sometimes and it's awful, but it is not happening to me/anywhere close by.

Now, people will see that as heartless and selfish, but it isn't. It doesn't mean I don't take a double take, it just means it doesn't 'hit home' because it isn't near home. The same is true for bereavement for example. Child loss could happen to someone I know through a friend of a friend. I'd feel sad for them but that same evening I'd be going about my business. Life would be normal for me, whilst their world is turned upside down - That all changes obviously once it did happen to me. A completely different outlook because it has happened to me personally, and I've personally felt the effects.

I'll admit, I'm probably a bit thick when it comes to any science. And as a modern Brit, I really don't see what impact climate change would have on me? I, and millions of others, probably have a very false sense of security. I don't see how I could be negatively impacted by this.

So it's therefore not a huge worry - And naturally, leads me not to do much in the way of change.

I am doing a few things right I suppose - I only have 1 DC. I don't fly more than twice a year. I have friends flying every 6 weeks or so!

But I drive a lot. I have a disabled DC so probably use my car too much. I also like to eat out at places, I like shopping and consumerism. My only saving Grace is I don't like tat and rarely buy plastic!

Read the High house by Jessie Greengrass. She sets out climate change hitting England. All low lying cities including London flooded. Pretty much everyone in those cities is dead. The infrastructure that sustains us (electricity gas water food) stops so only very few of the rest of us bar the very tough self sufficient and resourceful can survive.

All this just makes me want to go upstairs and hang myself

*For anyone interested in solar, it is still a money saving move even though the government payments have stopped.

We are about to have panels installed. The predicted savings over their life are 3.5 times their cost (this is for a system with a battery store so that we can maximise our own personal use from what we generate.)

We need to be in a position where all new builds have solar panels, are super insulated, have triple glazing, have external shutters and have good rainwater harvesting systems.*

Some of us have invested heavily and have done all this - and so much more - already. We all have individual accountability. Time to stop talking and take action.

Because the poor are to poor to do anything about it, and the rich individuals and countries like our own and let’s face it most people reading this, are too concerned with their own wealth instead of collective welfare, sustainability, equality and our planet.
Which is ironic on a platform called mumsnet that people would generally be mainly banging on about trivial first world irrelevant problems than thinking about the direct harm they are causing their own children grand children great grandchildren

@notonthehighspeed

Yet just a few weeks of hi temps & global drought would remove our food supply, as would extreme cold.
Stockpiles would run out very quickly, all animals would die as would plants.
How long will we live without food?

Life on this earth is very fragile, yet we treat it with totally contempt.

I agree its frightening. But we need better education. Many people want to change and help but just dont know how. And for the most part bio degradable, energy saving etc etc is often more expensive
Further to this theres no point in changing products etc if you dont fully undersstand where these items are coming from like a PP said, france have more nuclear powers stations than Britain, no point in changing to electric if its nuclear powerstations making the electricity. .

I have a friend who declares herself an eco warrior, always goung on about her love for this beautiful planet, promotes being vegan, etc etc and yes every little helps but its pointless when her main business is renting out campervans and she flies to australia and new zealand every 18 months or so to travel.

But how close are we to anything like that happening, in The High House book, or supply shortages and weather extremes killing off animals and stock, leaving everyone without food?

I'm in my 20's and doubt I'd be seeing it in my lifetime

If it rained every day and there were no emergency services responding and there was no power or any food in the supermarkets and the government fled as too hard - how long would your family realistically survive?

There also needs to be help. Government support for poorer people so-they can also make changes. I would happily drive an electric vehicle and install solar panels but i dont have the funds to do so.

I don't feel at all worried. Am I in denial? I don't think anything particularly bad will happen in my lifetime here in the UK

@Soberanne

There also needs to be help. Government support for poorer people so-they can also make changes. I would happily drive an electric vehicle and install solar panels but i dont have the funds to do so.

Yes, me too.

I'd just like to add that the first thing coming up when I Google how climate change would impact the UK is heatwaves.

Obviously it goes deeper than that but people looking to overlook this issue completing will read it and think 'Haha, okay'. Look outside! It's suppose to be August.

I'm not panicking because there is absolutely nothing more I can do about it than I am already. I have almost no influence.

I have at most 30-40 years of my life left. I will be long gone by the time it gets really bad. Many of you lot will be around a lot longer than me so you'll see it.And your children and grandchildren will despair.

We could have done something, but it is already too late. What this planet needs is a rest from the human race, and it will repair itself.

@Comedycook i agree nothing disastrous in our life time but there in lies the problem, people not taking responsibility as they feel it wont affect them. and i mean that in A kind way. . Its very hard when your dealing with life in general to then add that extra worry and responsibility regarding something that probably wont directLy affect us in the near future.

We could have done something, but it is already too late. What this planet needs is a rest from the human race, and it will repair itself.

Of course. There's no doubt Humans are incredibly damaging to the planet. But as animals our instinctive aim is to keep our own race going, for our own survival. Why would we care what happens to the Earth if we're not on it?

And as a modern Brit, I really don't see what impact climate change would have on me?

Well for a start, if you live in any of these areas you’ll be moving. If not, your journey to the new seaside might be a bit shorter..

*But how close are we to anything like that happening, in The High House book, or supply shortages and weather extremes killing off animals and stock, leaving everyone without food?

I'm in my 20's and doubt I'd be seeing it in my lifetime*

The infrastructure of Europe and the UK is not built to withstand weather extremes we are already seeing (extreme wildfire and flooding) our trains and roads shut down when there is too much normal seasonal snow fgs. It is already happening in your lifetime, this is the start. How much livestock and arable farmland do you think has just been destroyed by fire in Turkey, Greece, the US, and Russia and in Germany by their extreme flooding in just the last month? A lot. Animals, stock and land are being pulverised now

Can i ask a genuine question.

What do I do with the plastic i already have, toys etc because just now i am keeping them as i dont want to put them to landfill, theres no plastic recycling where i live. Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m in my 40s and am worried that there will be severe climate change in my lifetime. Certainly in my children’s. I read to day that the Gulf Stream is at the weakest ever and may turn itself off possibly within a couple of years. Which would not only put the U.K. climate on a par with Canada but also affect other countries leading to food shortages for billions of people.

I don't feel at all worried. Am I in denial? I don't think anything particularly bad will happen in my lifetime here in the UK

Heatwaves. Flooding. Water rationing.

Rising food prices. Failed harvests. Big migration waves from countries more affected than us leading to riots destabilisation of society.

I agree we can see the change happening but its hard for people to understand as we have always had extreme weather. Wether it gets to the levels that some posters feel it might during my life time, i dont thunk it will but i want my children and grandchildren to have a future. A good future not surviving on our generation's leftovers.

I am panicking. I lie awake in the night and panic. Not helpful I realise!

I would never bring a child into the world now as I think we are going to hell in a hand cart. The population of the earth needs 2.5 earths to continue as we are. I truly think we have past the point of return. My DH says oh well I'll be dead and buried but that's not the attitude. I think it is very very bad. But me driving an electric car and recycling is going to do bugger all.

What do I do with the plastic i already have, toys etc because just now i am keeping them as i dont want to put them to landfill, theres no plastic recycling where i live. Any advice would be appreciated.

Plastic isn’t inherently bad. The plastics that exist should be used until it isn’t possible to use them anymore. Toys for example - put them on freecycle?

@HasaDigaEebowai thank you. Ido recycle what i can and pass on what i can and i try as much as i can not to buy more. If i could go back i would certainly have bought less. I was just hoping there was some sort of charity or something that i could sent the plastic too for recycling.