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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:
WeetabixTowels · 28/08/2023 14:18

Mrsjayy · 28/08/2023 13:27

My Boomer parents live ina council house taking away homes for better deserving families I mean they should just live in a shed!

A shed!!! That’s too luxurious - what if a Gen Z-er wants that shed to escape their bigot parents? Surely they can just live in a puddle? Its their fault that puddle is there after all.

ChallengeAnneka · 28/08/2023 14:30

Yoghurtpotsatdawn · 28/08/2023 07:09

ChallengeAnneka. You make some excellent good points and I agree that although life was more environmentally friendly, it was bloody hard, labour intensive and pretty unpleasant.

The advances that have made life fairer and more comfortable and less exhausting, should be used thoughtfully and resources not squandered to the point we leave behind a catastrophic legacy. There’s a balance between going back to hand washing, living in damp, cold conditions and making all our clothes by hand, and castigating those who put their central heating on if they need to and not putting solar panels on their roofs.

Thank you and yes I agree!

loislovesstewie · 28/08/2023 14:53

I'm off to live in a paper bag in't middle of road!

WeetabixTowels · 28/08/2023 15:33

loislovesstewie · 28/08/2023 14:53

I'm off to live in a paper bag in't middle of road!

Selfish selfish selfish.

What if a young person who can’t afford a house needs that paper bag?

DriftingDora · 28/08/2023 17:58

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 28/08/2023 08:50

Nor me. The virtue signallers can hug one another to keep warm - I'm sticking the heating on as and when needed

Not having the heating on except when it's really necessary has become one of those things that's used as a moral judgement as if it's a binary choice - are you a GOOD person who cares about the planet and shivers or are you a profligate waster (probably a boomer to boot) who doesn't care about the future of the planet and your grandchildren because you whack the thermostat up at the slightest provocation?

I don't like being too warm. I liked this summer because the temperatures were just right for me, and I leave switching the heating on as long as I can. But like a lot of people here, I grew up in a cold home, I'm very grateful for my heating and I'm not going without it because some smug git like the OP thinks I should to flaunt my (and his) eco credentials.

Where did the OP go? was having his arse handed to him by women just too much for him?

Edited

Yes, interesting that OP vanishes once it's pointed out how rude and pompous he/she and their ever so 'disgusted' kids are. I'd also guess the carbon footprint of Hector/Hectoress and their kids is far in excess of the grandparents over their lifetime - and this aspect had probably never occurred to them, too busy preaching at (bullying) other people. If I was the grandparent(s) being lectured to by Virtue Signaller I'd tell them to do one. I also hope the grandparents enjoy spending the kid's and grandkids inheritance.

Askil · 28/08/2023 18:07

You lost me at their grandchildren are quite disgusted with them
No wonder where they've got their obnoxious judgemental attitude from and how sad your dc view their own grandparents with such loathing and contempt but hey! you're saving the planet.

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