To think that everyone has to do their bit and reduce fuel consumption

[Noras]

Due to the situation in the Gulf it seems clear to me that there is an issue with fuel.

To me it seems obvious that we all have to try to slightly reduce our fuel consumption even by just a bit eg not having the heating on or turning the temperature down by a degree or so, or reducing the time that the temperature is on. Also, maybe thinking more before making a journey in the car or just driving slower to reduce fuel consumption.

Even if we all reduced our fuel consumption by 10% more that would make a huge difference I think.

So am I unreasonable to think like that?

Do you think the majority of parents get in from the school run at 3.30 and don’t leave the house again until next morning?! In the evenings I have to get my 3 kids to football training/netball practice/hockey practice/piano lessons/gymnastics, plus occasionally have a life of my own (go to the gym/meet friends out for dinner etc)

That doesn't allow for much debate

One thing that shocks me is that lots of people don't organise lift shares for kids activities.
DSS does scouts and most weeks they seem to have an activity somewhere other than the usual scout hut and every parent drives their child there separately even though they are all coming from the same village.

We do lift share if coming from the same place (although that is only the case for one of the above list of activities!), but I still need my car for my leg of the journey.

Sorry I didn't see your comment above, that wasnt directed at you although I can see why it felt like it!

I did realise after I replied that it probably wasn’t aimed at me 😁

Getting on in years here so need heat to stay warm, need car to stay connected and mobile. Can't afford an electric car and don't have the space for one.

All I can see in the news is fuel on fire with no hint so far that this will be over anytime soon, particularly since Russia seems to be puppet mastering it from a distance. I think assume we will run out of fuel at some point and we are going to be cold, hungry and searching for a fresh water source.

Exactly. Not to mention how annoying it would be for people who actually do love near the school to have all the school run parking on a permanent basis every evening! Totally unrealistic, thoughtless solution - whoch wouldn’t make a noticeable difference to carbon footprint even if it were possible, @NoKnit

That assumes that none of the parents are on their way to something else, dropping another child at something or going to their own activity.

I retract my previous smugness about walking to school. My mum didn't work so I had no idea that others would have to go to work. Drive their kid to school and then go to work.

But that's assuming that everyone is coming from home > scouts and none of those people disappear off to do other things afterwards.

We’ll find out how simple this is if this situation continues. People will have to decide if that - or any other journey - really is essential. My guess is that some people will decide that they can do without some journeys if the price rises high enough.

It’s striking how many people seem to think this is a “green” issue - it really isn’t. Any environmental benefits are simply a side effect. It’s merely a supply & demand issue - the supply of oil has been restricted & prices are going up. That’s going to hit people who need petrol / diesel for cars etc or who need oil for heating amongst other things. Either people voluntarily reduce their usage (which some people will do) - or the government will be forced to impose measures to ensure that the supply can be managed / rationed so we don’t run out - just as the Conservative & Labour governments had to do during the 1973/4 oil crisis. That is going to be really hard for some people.

This all could have been mitigated 5 years ago had Councils followed through on the Government’s instructions to improve routes for walking and cycling during the pandemic. Unfortunately councils like mine scrapped their schemes due to protests from some drivers - that’s a shame as it would have given people an alternative option for journeys < 5 miles. Equally if successive governments had cracked on with electrifying the rail network & building new lines, we would be in a better place - deregulating buses hasn’t helped either.

Don’t be absurd. The NHS recommends everyone dies a certain amount of exercise, to maintain good health. This is good, constructive advice. Clearly, for some, this is impossible. Since the NHS cannot know everyone’s circumstances, should it refrain from dispensing advice that would benefit millions?

Given that the OP isn't a government organisation responsible for the health of a population of millions, it's probably best not to compare her with one 😉

That’s definitely something that everyone could easily cut out - the health risks of inhaling nitrogen dioxide and particulates are varied & very unpleasant.

Top typo.
I was very confused when the preview showed just the beginning. What a recommendation 🙈

Perhaps but, like the NHS, she’s proffering a constructive suggestion, which it just so happens doesn’t apply to you.

Lol. Oops.

I never said it didn't apply to me. I was trying to stand up for a PP who was feeling a bit attacked.

Feeling attacked? Give me strength.

I see empathy isn't your strong point.

Logic clearly isn’t yours.

I'm sure the folk that live by school would love that. So instead of cars clogging up their street for 30mins twice a day they'll have folk abandoning cars everywhere.

Not to mention Op might actually need her car for a zillion other things beside the school run and work.

Thank-you. It is really nice when someone takes on board what others are saying.

But absolutely the vast majority will be dropping and going to work or something. I don't know any mums who don't work at least part-time