XR

30 replies

SmiledWtherisingsun · 12/06/2022 09:37

Urrrgh! Completely agree we need to take action. But all this serves to do is piss people off. Honestly!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CeoxK4wsGYZ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

OP posts:

Hawkins001 · 20/07/2022 19:27

Yeahreally · 20/07/2022 14:03

@Hawkins001 - I've not heard/read anyone advocating that approach.
I think the last post by @GrowlingManchego is a valid one and is more consistent with the views of the overwhelming majority of credible climate scientists. We need to be weaning ourselves off fossil fuels at a much faster and:
A) investing and deploying more of the alternative technologies for generating power (e.g in UK, unblock the current restrictions on onshore wi expansion) rather than rush to issue new licences for North Sea exploration. Interestingly, onshore both cheaper and quicker (takes only one year before it feeds into the grid) so as per my earlier post, it's difficult not to think that there are bigger forces at play around our current policy
B) become more energy efficient (which in some cases also helps ameliorate the cost of living crisis).

How are either of these approaches advocating cave-dwelling?
Ironically, argue that your approach of doing nothing and waiting for big tech to save us is more in keeping with the non-scientific thinking of our cave-dwelling ancestors.

Scientists, can be wrong, scientists can be lead to specific conclusions depending on the politics of the day, or they "conform their perspectives" similar to back in the day when Galileo tried to suggest a different model for the universe.

and lastly my thinking and thought processes are not always logical and need more analysis.

JasmineVioletRose · 20/07/2022 19:48

Yeahreally · 18/07/2022 23:12

@JasmineVioletRose - I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect a direct positive outcome that can be linked to one disruptive action at a North American soccer game.
These actions are about keeping conversations going and keeping the issue (i.e. climate change) in the spotlight. The fact that we have a thread on MN discussing this shows that his has achieved this to some degree. Thousands of people will have watched that game do I doubt this thread is the only consequential discussion taking place.

Remember: it's not hyperbole to say that climate change is an inconvenient truth for some of the richest and most powerful interests in the world (fossil fuel industry for one) and for decades they've succeeded in limiting/burying the conversation for long periods. As an individual, regular civilian this is one of the few things you can do that is in your power to fight back.

I'm sadly not convinced that the richest most powerful interests in the world are ruffled by XR in the slightest.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 20/07/2022 19:59

I think they’ll simply fall out of fashion, and gradually fade from view as people lose interest, like Plane Stupid and Occupy Wall Street. (Remember them?)

I’m not in favour of the powers-that-be quashing legitimate protest but I think XR’s brand of civil disobedience treads a very fine line — it has to be very carefully planned and messaged to not look like wilfully disruptive pranks with minimal point and diffused messaging.

The stuff with the tube trains a few years back was an example of protest action being ultimately self-harming and poorly considered.

I think, personally, the Black Lives Matter movement was far more effective and smart in its approach (although obviously driven by absolutely tragic circumstances).

MakkaPakkas · 20/07/2022 20:08

Yeahreally · 10/07/2022 16:37

@SmiledWtherisingsun - it is disruptive but it's a fraction of the disruption that will be caused if we don't act to stop the worst effects of climate change.
It's also an act of desperation. We've known about climate change for decades (certainly since I was in school in late 80s/early 90s) and collectively We've not heeded the warnings. Increases in fires, floods, breaking temperature records and the real worst effects (sea levels, famine from crop failures, geopolitical insecurity are closer than we think).
If you're an individual worried about this and the general inaction going over decades (and the size and strength of the business interests that have engineered this inertia) would it be wise or rational to expect that a vote every 5 years or a petition or a strongly worded letter to you local politician will do the trick?
Maybe non-violent but disruptive protests at major events are the only way to make yourself heard and keep the pressure on....

Completely agree with this

Yeahreally · 20/07/2022 20:41

Completely agree re the tube action and anyone I spoke to within the movement disagreed with it and felt let down. However that particular incident was over 3 years ago so perhaps lessons were learnt.
And I agree that these are fine lines. Ultimately they are still non violent but if you remove disruptive element in the process, you get completely ignored. And this is an emergency (as Parliament itself overwhelmingly agreed over 2 years ago).
We now need the action and policy that reflect that emergency status.

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