Do you care about climate change?

[julieca]

Not just in an abstract way. But would you be prepared to accept radical changes to your lifestyle to reduce climate change?
Or do you think continuing to live your life the way you want is more important?

YABU - No I don't and I want to continue living life as I want
YANBU - Yes I do and would accept major changes to my life

@Beckert

Great. So one works as a carpenter and is aware you can't grow concrete. Can't be much work for him if he's spending time sitting on the road blocking other people getting to work. So either he has a private income which enables him to do that. Or he's claiming benefits.

Either way. His message isn't working.

He got a pretty positive response the other week.

Oh well. Maybe he'll save the world for you then.

@Beckert

Find low carbon ways to get there, have fewer, or make bigger cuts elsewhere to your personal footprint

Most people will just go the quickest cheapest way. This movement really does show a spectacular lack of understanding of people.

@ Beckert

I agree.
"Show me the money!"

Personally I find it a bit gnats and camels to be fusspotting about yoghurt pots and SUVs when the global emancipation of women would make a far bigger difference. There are 12-year-old girls being forcibly married off and repeatedly raped in order to bear children in many countries within Africa, South and Central America, and Asia. History has repeatedly shown that pushing for the emancipation of women, including education and access to reproductive healthcare, has major trickle-down impacts to the environment and climate. Not to mention the birth rate globally.

@forinborin

Why only in the U.K.? Not the rest of the richer countries? I was only speaking from own experience. Of other richer countries I have inside experience only with the US and Spain, and the attitude there seems to be much, much more relaxed. At least I don't know anyone there who has lost sleep or had to seek medical help due to anxiety about the topic.

Same in Australia. Most people that know, do some things to reduce their carbon footprint, but most people are pretty cool about it. I have no knowledge of anyone getting anxiety about it or thinking we're all going to die sometime soon.

There is a lot of climate anxiety among young people in the UK. I don’t think it’s helpful- it’s important to be realistic about what you can control and live in the present, not look too far ahead. Otherwise you WILL suffer with poor mental health.

We are lying to people, telling people their actions can change the course of climate change when it’s not really true. We live in a system and structure that is environmentally not sustainable and there is nothing most individuals can do to change that. Only scientists, policy makers, billionaires etc can really make an impact. Consumers can’t- they can only buy what’s available and what they can afford. It’s disingenuous to say otherwise.

Whole economies around the world shut down for MONTHS in 2020 due to Covid. And yet CO2 emissions increased! That’s all the evidence needed to show that individually our changes will have bugger all impact.

I must caveat this to say my carbon footprint is actually very low. But that’s because I don’t drive and wfh, have a well insulated home. I am a minimalist and don’t like having lots of stuff. I prefer to do free stuff for enter like go for a walk/ cycle.

I think emissions dropped during lockdowns , they just bounced hard and fast back up since

Individual can't solve if by themselves, but it won't be solved if individuals decide they are not bothered

@Beckert

Oh well. Maybe he'll save the world for you then.

Even if he doesn't, he thoroughly embarrassed Mike Graham, and that's almost as good.

Radical changes? No.

Electric car, a different boiler, less meat (I already don't eat that much)... yes.

Even if he doesn't, he thoroughly embarrassed Mike Graham, and that's almost as good

That was quite a funny clip TBF.

@SirChenjins

To a point. I care about it in that it’s causing significant damage to the planet and to future generations. However, I am getting absolutely sick of all the posturing and tinkering around the edges under the guise of saving the planet - random 20 mph zones, people glueing themselves to roads and Harry Windsor flying in his private jet to speak at yet another global enviro summit is turning me off the whole issue - and I now find myself switching off the TV whenever Greta appears as some sort of Messiah figure and not recycling my jam jars in protest at XR’s latest nonsense.

So I’d be happy to see global changes - but until China and the rest come on board all the recycling in the world isn’t going to stem the tide.

👏👏👏👏👏

Yes but I need radical changes imposed on me tbh and I'm happy to vote for elected officials who will make the big changes required but I find myself personally overwhelmed.

Wow!! There are some utterly selfish responses on here. Gobsmacked (and sad) that more people don't care that the people who are going to be most impacted are the ones who have done the least to contribute to the problem.

Realistic responses I think you'll find. Although, in the same way I don't care about climate change, and don't plan to do anything to stop it, I don't care that people think that position is selfish. I think climate change activists are selfish. I'm sure they don't care that I think that either.

@CouldThisReallyBe I’m quite surprised, that you’re surprised! I have a low carbon footprint myself and do factor in the environment into decision making, however humans are not built to think about the long term and most people just think about their immediate family and community- and are motivated by short term gratification. That’s totally normal and just the way humans are built. It takes a lot to override this, hence why you need governments to take the actions required (and encourage businesses/ consumers to do so through legislation/ taxes etc).

Tabby. I care very much about it and wish those 100 companies that contribute 70% of all pollution would do something about it.

Also, I do my part in terms of limiting furled travel, keeping my energy consumption down, recycling what I can fit in my bin (I would do tons more of my bin wasn't so small and the council collected it more than once a month, but they don't).

Why should there be more pressure on us and not those 100 lazy businesses; and why is the blame out on us where we are already forced to do these things if we like it or not? The government need to start looking elsewhere instead of blaming the general public for every single thing wrong in the UK.

Don't drive, haven't been on a plane in 20 years, don't eat meat and recycle where I can. Also don't have the heating on unless it is like zero or below but even I know all those things combined aren't enough. I am amazed people are still having children; worried about day to day detritus when they/humans may be extinct before they (the current children) even reach old age! It is bizarre but I am hoping I will be dead by then. The earth will continue just without humans, we're just a blip.

The earth will continue just without humans, we're just a blip.

We are literally just a blip. I guess it's human nature to fear their own extinction and try to do anything to stop that happening. I guess I found that idea frightening as a child. Although it doesn't bother me anymore. People just can't comprehend a world without themselves, or their future generations in it.

I am comprehend
It's not a world I want to strive for

It's not a world I want to strive for

Me neither.

I'm going to vote Green bit most people vote Tory as their logic is that there us no point voting for any other party...then they wonder why we are so screwed.

I don't really care. Tbh I am sick and tired of my poor crap life. If I could spend millions on unnecessary junk tomorrow or a private jet to the Maldives I would.

The government need to provide solar panels for every house and insulate them...just for a starter.

Solar panels are not suitable for all houses.