People more concerned about doing their washing quickly than the environment.

[Starryskiesinthesky]

AIBU to think it is totally depressing that people arent willing to make even small changes to try and stop the environmental crisis that is here. For example, not wanting to use an eco programme on machines because it takes longer, not prepared to dry clothes outside rather than use a dryer, driving everywhere rather than walking. If people who could, made small changes, it would all add up and we might be able to halt some of the damage we are doing to the environment and childrens futures.

i use the 30 degree wash, i dry via a mix of line, airers, and occasionally, the dryer if i don't have time to leave it on the airers (like if the kids need school uniform quickly)

I recycle EVERYTHING (our council has one of the best systems including food waste collections)

But yeah, i drive everywhere because i'm disabled and walking hurts, when they invent me a new skeleton and undamaged nerves, we'll talk.

Til then, sftu.

And EVEN then, the teeny, miniscule different it makes to my footprint, is but a breath against what industry is doing every day.

It is true what people are saying that small changes we can make as individuals are not going to have much of an impact compared to changes on a national/ international level regarding use of fossil fuels etc.

Even if we were all to live our little lives in the most sustainable way possible, it would barely make a dent, because it is global industry causing most of the issue and needs to be addressed by world leaders on a planetary scale.

However I think what you are really getting at in your post is something about our attitudes towards it. It would indeed be nice if people cared a bit more than they do, and eventually governments have to prioritise what the people prioritise. So if the little man cared a bit more, it may eventually work its way up the scale.

I often look at the world and feel saddened at this side of human nature - the "I'm alright Jack" side, the self-centred ideals and looking out for ones own interests. We are all guilty of it at times.

I think many people are just not really capable or willing to conceive of such big ideas which are hard to grasp, they just want to live their lives.

It is a shame.

It is raining here and I’ve three loads to do.

I’ll use the anti stain turbo and out on an airer.

Sanctimonious op.

The comment about the cancer patient travelling, my God that is appalling singling out someone travelling who needs potentially life saving treatment. My brother in law had to travel from the Isle of Wight to the mainland for treatment as they just don't offer treatment ion the island at the level he needed.

We all fretted as he was so vulnerable to other infections but had no choice but to use public transport. If he could have remained just in a car that would have been preferable.

I think people worry too much about low level grubbiness . As washing was done by hand and then using a mangle and then twin tub when I was a child it was a huge effort so lots of spot cleaning took place. I still spot clean.

@FellInLoveWithABanana

I don’t think me washing using the 4.5 hour eco setting is going to cancel out the environmental impact of you having children.

How about we all do what we can and don’t judge others?

Yeah, absolutely this.

*put

And I’m disabled so I drive to the local shop.

So shoot me.

My car is 15 years old. Petrol. Can’t have electric. Terrace. No off street parking. And the nearest lamppost is 6 houses up or 4 down and across a t junction

Oh sorry, I posted then went to work and was in a meeting until now.

I have to say I know I’m not perfect but I do try and I feel guilt about the things I don’t do. Every time I buy something in a polybag or buy a snack in plastic bowl I notice it and I agree it takes governments and organisations to make changes. I have a car, I have children, pre-Covid I even went on holiday by plane so I am bad that way but I do still try to do what I can. Today I walked to work when I could have driven but I know it is hard if you have to make multiple journeys. But if we had a Will public transport would be better and then we could use it.

But I do still think we can make small changes and we can support govts who want to tackle the environmental crisis.

The thing that depressed me about the washing machines was just all the folk who said I don’t care I want my washing done ASAP and so to hell with the environment.

But I need to get my washing done. I don’t have loads of bedding and I’ve visitors coming tomorrow night so I need to get the bedding washed because DD was here 2 nights this week.

I also don’t have loads of clothes for myself so I need to turn them around so I am sorted for the beginning of the week as I have a lot on next week.

You are being really judgemental.

Maybe only on MN, but I am seeing a huge sea change about the environment lately.
A woman started a thread, last week I think, about her trying to avoid using aeroplanes. That thread didnt go well either.

I am wondering if people now have covid to contend with, energy problems, money problems, and worrying about the environment is not making top 5 of a lot of peoples' worries any more.

I agree to a certain extent. There are small changed people can make that make a small difference and that's important. If everyone walked more, used the dryer less etc it would be a good start. And I think people miss the point of the 'more' or 'less' you don't have to stop driving altogether and never tumble dry.

@Suitcaseseverywhere

*put

And I’m disabled so I drive to the local shop.

So shoot me.

My car is 15 years old. Petrol. Can’t have electric. Terrace. No off street parking. And the nearest lamppost is 6 houses up or 4 down and across a t junction

OP said:

"If people who could, made small changes..."

People who could.

It obviously doesn't apply if you're disabled and need to drive.

OP is talking about people refusing to make the kinds of small changes that will be barely any additional inconvenience to them, but they still refuse.

OP is obviously not saying that you should walk if you can't use your legs or buy an electric car if you have no charging facilities.

@Starryskiesinthesky

AIBU to think it is totally depressing that people arent willing to make even small changes to try and stop the environmental crisis that is here. For example, not wanting to use an eco programme on machines because it takes longer, not prepared to dry clothes outside rather than use a dryer, driving everywhere rather than walking. If people who could, made small changes, it would all add up and we might be able to halt some of the damage we are doing to the environment and childrens futures.

I agree OP. It’s not that I expect people to do every little thing, just a few of them will help. It’s not an all or nothing proposition. Everyone’s personal circumstances are different.

For example, I don’t own a car anymore but that is enabled by a good train system and the odd taxi I can book. Many people in rural areas like mine don’t have transportation options, so must have a car.

I do use a condenser tumble dryer because I cannot dry clothes indoors or outdoors. We live in a 200yr old working farmhouse. So I have no back garden as the back of the house is the drive for the barn. I cannot dry inside because that would cause damp/mould. I know this because prior owners dried their clothes in the utility room and it was very mouldy when we moved in. We had to eradicate the mould and now we simply avoid creating it. But still an A+ rated electric tumble dryer uses far less electricity than an electric car would, and I am comfortable that I need a dryer.

I don’t use the eco settings on my machines because I looked them up and they run for two and a half hours at 40C whereas my mixed load cycle runs for less than one hour also at 40C...therefore my mixed load cycle is actually 2.5x more eco friendly than the official “eco cycle” So it’s not a given that the eco cycle is always the most eco friendly cycle.

If I had to wait 3 hours on a wash cycle then I wouldn't have time to hang it out to dry.

Whilst I agree that it's important to make environmental changes where we can, when you look at the rest of the world, particularly China, then we are just pissing in the wind.

@stealthninjamum

Op i think Yabu because you picked a bad example. A working parent can’t just put the washing on and stay up half the night waiting for it to finish and I’ve seen many threads on here from people whose neighbours have loud washing machines on at all times. We can all do something - I walk a lot rather than drive - but your washing machine example irritated me.

I agree with this, you have picked the wrong example. When I need a clean uniform for work every day (that I’m told to wash at 60, I don’t but I would if I was ward based), when my children need clean uniforms and I’m at work all day Monday to Thursday 4 hour cycles are just not a feasible option. On the other hand, as I have already said, I do many things that others might not do for various reasons. Plenty of people are doing their best, you may do an eco wash but if you really are flying to Vietnam I bet your carbon footprint is much higher than mine! (I have flown to Europe twice in the last 15 years)

not doing the school run in an SUV

A new SUV is way better for the environment than a 15 year old people carrier. But, sure, keep trotting out the “SUV drivers are bad” trope if it makes you feel better.

You do your thing, let others do theirs.

Plus, after 30 years of environment, environment, no islands went under water that I know of, hardly read about an ozone layer etc etc. Plus covid meant the media are not making the issue no.1 headlines now either. People surviving above the breadline has become the issue of the day.

But I’d it better to buy a new car or use the old one til it dies?

I don’t put the heating on until I’m cold with a jumper and socks on.

@lightand

Maybe only on MN, but I am seeing a huge sea change about the environment lately. A woman started a thread, last week I think, about her trying to avoid using aeroplanes. That thread didnt go well either.

I am wondering if people now have covid to contend with, energy problems, money problems, and worrying about the environment is not making top 5 of a lot of peoples' worries any more.

Well, for a start, if you have money problems, buy secondhand. Don't mean that in a smug way, but it is so much better and way cheaper and you get the satisfaction of sack something from the landfill

I don't have a tumble drier so my washing is either dried outside, if the weather permits, or else on an airer in my spare room (I put a dehumidifier on or it smells of damp).

I think the problem with your list is that is disproportionately affects poorer people who may only have 1 or 2 lots of school uniform, for example. They can't be waiting for 4 hours for something to be washed.

I do things to help the environment but I don't think goady posts like this help anyone

@sst1234

Hey if you want to lecture, go ahead and lecture yourself. Before you do though, consider that UK accounts for less than 1% of global carbon emissions. Perhaps lecture the Chinese or American if you want actual results. If not, then you just want to virtue signal.

This 1000 times over. I totally agree we need to change but we aren't the big baddies here. I can imagine what would happen to the protestors of insulate Britain if they blocked a road in China, they'd just get "removed"

I don’t know why the focus on washing? There’s other things one can do that have as much if not more of an impact

Boredzelda, I've got to admit I'm not a fan of suvs either

I am currently pregnant with baby number 6. I have about 2-4 loads of washing per day depending on bedding changes, towels etc so if I did long washes on everything and hung them out to dry then I would never stop doing washing.

2 to 4 loads a day !