Do you actually care about the environment?

[HamsterKebab]

I think a lot of people say they care, but do you really? Have you adjusted your life with wildlife or the climate in mind? Or does convenience come first?

Im genuinely interested in how much the general public truly cares about biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution. Does it bother you or do you just think ‘someone else will deal with it’. I’m not judging, I genuinely want to know how people honestly feel rather than what they say out loud.

Basically, the government aren't stopping the super rich so I can't be bothered and won't change.

But also if the government tries to intervene and help the environment, I'll be fumin'.

Yes but when I compare my values with those who are willing to disrupt, damage block ambulances and preach rather than discuss I believe that given the sort of people who are aligned with these movements it is probably not as bad as they would have us believe. You may not like it but they do more damage than good.

I am 'brown skinned' myself, so no racism there. Speaking of other countries, though, it isn't the British who should be taking this on board. It is the Chinese.

Thats your interpretation @Haydenn , since when has MN been a tip toe around with phrasing kinda place? 'Presumably not' is a ?? not a WTF!!
I personally find it aggressive and unkind that Pheasants 'doesnt give a fuck' about the future of other peoples kids or other living things..
This thread is discussing Climate change in AIBU, not an individuals personal emotional problems, there are other topic categories for that...

I agree with this. I don't have kids, or nieces/nephews, but it doesn't mean I don't care. Some people are just selfish and will come up with any old excuse to justify it. I simply can't understand people who think the only people who matter are their own family.

I also agree that comparisons are a lame excuse. Surely we can all do the best we can, we don't need to look around and see what others are doing, frankly it's not our business and it's certainly not a reason to simply give up. It's really not difficult to make an effort, and saying you won't because of what rich people do/don't is a cop out.

Honestly, I despair of some people.

Honestly, no.

I do care, and have actively made changes to my life. I do feel fairly hopeless about it though. I don't believe that any meaningful actions will be taken before it's too late.

XR and their protests don’t change the facts. Whether you agree with their tactics or not is irrelevant to what is starting to happen. XR are acting on the work of hundreds of scientists, over decades, across the world. There are other campaign groups acting on it differently. Your views should be based on facts. You may or may not choose to give a toss but basing your opinions on the actions of a small group of protestors rather than the massive body of scientific data and theory seems bonkers to me.

In my personal opinion, humans and their curiousity, creativity and complexity are what makes life worth living. I'd rather look at a fabulous building than a polar bear on an iceberg. Which is not the same as saying I don't value an undespoiled environment; of course I want a safe clean environment as much as the next person. However, I don't think there's an easy, equitable balance in this, and so my vote is absolutely on the side of humans, art and culture.

I have little sympathy with all those suggesting the planet will be better off without people so that nature can prevail. If that happens, it won't stop volcanoes erupting, and another Krakatoa could happen in parts of the world tomorrow. Planetary activity could kill almost all of us in a few months, and there's not much to be done to avert such catastrophic events. And then, who will record the glorious magical balance that the Earth has sustained for 50,000 years?

To preserve this delicate balance, I am happy to compromise. I won't take a longhaul flight more than once a decade, but as I live in a very rural area I am not giving up my (fuel-efficient) 16 year old diesel car which is needed for everyday convenience. I already consciously choose to buy on the basis of food miles and low-input farming, and obviously I recycle fairly conscientiously. Having replaced inefficient windows with modern double glazing and insulated the house to the max, I am reluctant to splurge big time on solar because we want to downsize so we shall leave that win to the people who move in.

We had one child.

Ah. The what about China argument. China are heavily investing in green energy. A lot if their carbon output is manufacturing unnecessary crap that we then buy. It’s not ok to say ‘I’m not going to stop slapping my wife until Joe Bloggs’ down the road stops punching his’. You just stop doing it because that’s the right thing to do.

I wasn’t suggesting you are racist. I’m saying that the more developed countries continuing to spew unnecessary carbon into the atmosphere even though it puts those living in less developed areas at higher risk, is racist. Because it’s largely white people spewing carbon and people if colour being effected negatively. It’s a new age of colonialism. Why should I care that some South Pacific Islander is going to lose their life when I want to fly to Spain again? It’s just not ok to have that attitude and there are simply no arguments that suggest it is ok. It’s simply people don’t care enough.

If the Government ignored some know and preventable major threat to your life would you be ‘fuming’?

If there's a global environmental meltdown, I would hope that every survivor was Leonardo da Vinci, but it's equally likely that most would be near-Neanderthals.

I work in the environment sector, I'm a paid up member of the green party, friends of the earth and a nature reserve trustee. But tbh after years of it I have been struggling to stay motivated as I see no change at all. However I had this conversation with my uncle, who can see big change since he started out in similar work etc so. Hoping my mojo comes back! I think the best thing someone can do is help other people to make changes.

If the choice was between Chartres cathedral and a camel, which would you choose?

Silly previous post, but the question boils down to: more people or fewer? Quality or quantity?

Totally agree, hollow laugh at those refusing to do anything because they won't be told 😒 oh the irony....

To be honest I don’t care that you think it’s bonkers. I am not convinced by the “science” I remember when I was young the environmentalists were trying to convince us that we were headed for an ice age. And when diesel cars were good for the environment etc etc it’s just nature.

True.
I despair at those who do nothing, especially those whose impact is greatest or have power and influence.
I know my small effort is nothing against what else is going on... But I still don't want to be part of the problem. I know which side I'm on, even as I watch others (particularly world and business leaders) screw us over.
At the end of the day it's my conscience I'm answerable to.

I do care. I'm scared for my children's futures.
I do what I can at an individual level but it feels like your paddling upstream sometimes against governments, world leaders and corporations.

My dad's not so reassuring words are, humans will end up killing themselves off and then the planet will sort itself out... Great 👍

Why is the planet intrinsically worth saving, if there's no life form with the intellectual capacity to record what makes it wonderful? That is why humanity matters, in the absence of another equally intelligent life-form from an alternate universe.

If the Government ignored some know and preventable major threat to your life would you be ‘fuming’?

Sarcasm, clearly.

We try. Make a conscious effort to reduce plastic. We don't waste energy or water. Our garden is very wildlife friendly. Haven't been abroad for years as can't afford it tbh but if we did travel it would only be occasionally.
BUT. We need our cars for work and there is no public transport option available that would work. Distances are too far for walking/cycling. I do always walk everywhere nearby though on my days off.

We do genuinely care about the environment and honestly, global warming is deeply concerning, but really, what difference can these small changes make when you have so many people making multiple flights abroad a year and other countries churning out greenhouse gases and plastics in such terrifying quantities.

I'm also highly sceptical of recycling as it seems that so much gets shipped overseas only to be dumped somewhere else. Id rather just bin it here than for that to happen as at least most of our waste is well managed. It's just depressing tbh.

You nailed it with the "it's my conscience I'm answerable to" I have been thinking about how to put into words how I feel all day.

My efforts may have minimal effect but at least I know that I have played a part

Absolutely agree with the above, its akin to moaning about whichever Government is in power, but not bothering to vote..

"Compliance" for what?