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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU: Elderly parents do not care about their impact on the environment

481 replies

Scientistathome · 27/08/2023 08:07

My elderly parents acknowledge (in passing) that the human impact on the planet is destructive and that their family's future could be jeopardized.
However, they refuse to do anything about it. They burn gas and electricity in summer to keep warm (extra jumper? Nooo!), Will not Install solar panels (they can afford it), take unnecessary flights, ... the list goes on.
They flaty refuse to change any habits despite that they know they should and could.
I get quite mad with them!
AIBU?
I know it is their choice, not mine but it affects all of us (their grandchildren are quite disgusted with them).
Are other people's parents like this?
(I know that some parents cannot afford eco-friendly choices like solar panels)

OP posts:
Kendodd · 27/08/2023 10:39

WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff · 27/08/2023 10:36

If you are anything like the OP, I would imagine your elderly relatives ARE saying shit to wind you up. I would.

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Yeah, fine.
I still wish they could at the very least be bothered to recycle though. Its too much bother apparently.

WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff · 27/08/2023 10:39

LaMadameCholet · 27/08/2023 10:38

This post has made me want to put my heating on even though it’s very warm here, and book lots of flights.

Grin
OilOfRoses · 27/08/2023 10:41

Kendodd · 27/08/2023 10:39

Yeah, fine.
I still wish they could at the very least be bothered to recycle though. Its too much bother apparently.

Show quote history

I confess I've thrown the occasional jar out because the amount of cleaning it would need to go in the recycling felt like too much in the moment.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/08/2023 10:41

LaMadameCholet · 27/08/2023 10:38

This post has made me want to put my heating on even though it’s very warm here, and book lots of flights.

Funny you should say that....going to see DB on Oz next year so it's reminded me to start checking flights (first for 12 years before all the eco-puritans have a fit 😆)

babbscrabbs · 27/08/2023 10:42

fedupnow2 · 27/08/2023 08:11

Good point. You are the biggest hypocrite op!

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Can't believe there are people in this thread calling OP a hypocrite - for being born...

This attitude is what's holding us back from making meaningful change to slow global warming

You don't have to be perfect to care or want to make a difference.

OP - my DPs don't fly any more and recycle like mad. They're quite mindful. My much wealthier in laws are not, go on 5 X flights per year and have uneconomical heating for their huge house etc.

sidebirds · 27/08/2023 10:42

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 27/08/2023 08:13

If every single person on the planet reduced their personal carbon footprint to zero the effect would be negligible.

🎯🎯🎯

IAmAnIdiot123 · 27/08/2023 10:42

yogasaurus · 27/08/2023 10:29

My bills are fine… and I don’t have hulking panels all over my
house.

Each to their own

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I have solar panels and my bill certainly hasn't halved 🤣

Isitautumnyet23 · 27/08/2023 10:42

Kendodd · 27/08/2023 10:39

Yeah, fine.
I still wish they could at the very least be bothered to recycle though. Its too much bother apparently.

Show quote history

I agree - its made so easy for us with the bins now, its not like you have to go anywhere to recycle. We always have the recycling full to the brim and the smaller rubbish bin never full. Its a no brainer to recycle these days. I think there are only a snall amount of people who dont recycle as most of my neighbours are older and all recycle.

SoosanCarter · 27/08/2023 10:43

OP, I hope your parents spend all their money on heating, flights, holidays and other lovely things for themselves. Then you won’t feel bad when you and you kids, who are disgusted by their grandparents, inherit nothing.

babbscrabbs · 27/08/2023 10:44

LaMadameCholet · 27/08/2023 10:38

This post has made me want to put my heating on even though it’s very warm here, and book lots of flights.

But why would this be your response to a thread?

I don't get it.

If someone ranted at you about taking drugs being awful would you get the urge to start snorting stuff?

DatumTarum · 27/08/2023 10:44

yogasaurus · 27/08/2023 08:09

I can afford solar panels, I don’t want them thank you. And who decides if a flight is ‘unnecessary’, you?

This type of hectoring is what turns people off from listening

Why not?

DumDeeDoh · 27/08/2023 10:46

My father is 90 with bad circulation and is cold all the time. We wear tshirts in his house while he has layers on and the heating on. My parents got triple glazing a few years ago, but solar panels were not worth the return for their age. They travelled while they could and now my mother is dead and my father infirm so YABU

TheSkull · 27/08/2023 10:46

Againstmachine · 27/08/2023 09:57

With the OP and their children, basically disliking their Parents/GP I hope the inheritance will be left to a local hospice or dogs charity as the OP won't want money from someone they hate that much.

Or in a final twist of irony, to The Green Party

Dontcallmescarface · 27/08/2023 10:47

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/08/2023 10:41

Funny you should say that....going to see DB on Oz next year so it's reminded me to start checking flights (first for 12 years before all the eco-puritans have a fit 😆)

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If you can, go via Changi...that airport is stunning.

Occasionalsnaccident · 27/08/2023 10:47

If it helps, consider that their destructive impact on the environment will have scaled up very gradually, so their lifetime impact will still be lower than most moderately careful people you know!

Kendodd · 27/08/2023 10:47

LaMadameCholet · 27/08/2023 10:38

This post has made me want to put my heating on even though it’s very warm here, and book lots of flights.

It really astonishes me when people say stuff like this. 'Some anonymous random said something mean to me on the Internet so I'm going to do something to harm myself and everyone else just to show them'.
The most ironic is when they do something harmful in response to somebody calling them stupid, thereby proving the name calling poster correct.

BashfulClam · 27/08/2023 10:47

Did you think about the environment when you decided to have children?

Itick8outof10boxes · 27/08/2023 10:48

So many parents say how much they love their dc then do fuck all in any capacity to makes the smallest changes. Their dc are going to have to live with the out fall as a result.
I'm vegan, don't fly and don't drive through choice, have a android god knows how old and don't give a shit about the larest tech tat and trending styles. I'm happy with my life and don't give a shit about anybody else and how they live.
BUT if someone was to say to me you should be doing xyz they would be duly told to fuck right off. Go and moan at other countries like India for the space nonsense for a start.

Itick8outof10boxes · 27/08/2023 10:50

Our solar panels came with the property and keep electric bills really low, well worth it if you can get them.

WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff · 27/08/2023 10:50

Kendodd · 27/08/2023 10:39

Yeah, fine.
I still wish they could at the very least be bothered to recycle though. Its too much bother apparently.

Show quote history

Recycle bottles and shit? You mean like 'elderly' people did for the first 50-60 years of their life. Wink

WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff · 27/08/2023 10:52

Kendodd · 27/08/2023 10:47

It really astonishes me when people say stuff like this. 'Some anonymous random said something mean to me on the Internet so I'm going to do something to harm myself and everyone else just to show them'.
The most ironic is when they do something harmful in response to somebody calling them stupid, thereby proving the name calling poster correct.

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Have you never heard of sarcasm? 😆LMFAO!!! 😂

ShellySarah · 27/08/2023 10:52

Itick8outof10boxes · 27/08/2023 10:48

So many parents say how much they love their dc then do fuck all in any capacity to makes the smallest changes. Their dc are going to have to live with the out fall as a result.
I'm vegan, don't fly and don't drive through choice, have a android god knows how old and don't give a shit about the larest tech tat and trending styles. I'm happy with my life and don't give a shit about anybody else and how they live.
BUT if someone was to say to me you should be doing xyz they would be duly told to fuck right off. Go and moan at other countries like India for the space nonsense for a start.

You have children though? That the most harmful thing to do with a huge population and few resources.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 27/08/2023 10:52

Dontcallmescarface · 27/08/2023 10:47

If you can, go via Changi...that airport is stunning.

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Love Changi - any airport with a butterfly house and orchid garden is OK by me. Had a few hours stopover there one trip and could have happily stayed longer.

gloriawasright · 27/08/2023 10:52

LauraNorda · 27/08/2023 08:11

The best thing they could have done for the environment was not have any children.

😂😂

Kaz40s · 27/08/2023 10:52

You come across as a bit self righteous op. If you were my child, I'd completely disregard you too on the matter. The luxuries we have in today's society were not afforded to your parents generation as other replies have rightly pointed out. Let them enjoy their twilight years without you harping on at them 😂