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Original poster

How about a gas/electricity strike for Ukraine this Friday?

53 replies

allthatmalarkey · 02/03/2022 12:53

What if we all did a strike against Russian gas on Friday? Didn’t use gas or electricity for heating or cooking all day (I’m going to allow hot water for tea and keeping clean).

It needs to be a chunky enough effort to make a big difference to your energy use that day - enough for it to register as a national statistic and hit the news and even reach the Kremlin.

Any takers?

OP posts:
nicesausages · 02/03/2022 13:28

Noooo ... !

Some of the major energy suppliers have already cut ties with Gazprom. You wouldn't achieve anything

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 02/03/2022 13:28

OP I don't think Putin is going to worry about whether or not you use your Central heating for a day.

Unless OP is Liz Truss...

Zandra123 · 02/03/2022 13:29

I think come October the way things are going many will be "going without" as part of daily life if prices carry on going up. I'm enjoying keeping warm while I can.

Onlythelaundryfairy · 02/03/2022 13:30

Ummm no. I've run out of oil this week and it's cold. Desperate to put the heating on!

GiantSpider · 02/03/2022 13:30

I would support something like this OP.

forcedfun · 02/03/2022 13:31

I think as long as you stream Ukrainian music while you drink your allowed cup of tea then Putin will recognise your noble efforts and capitulate

forcedfun · 02/03/2022 13:32

Things people can do - campaign for sanctions /more support for refugees/ relaxation of visa rules /donate to humanitarian aid organisations /report obvious russian trolling and misinformation on social media

TheVanguardSix · 02/03/2022 13:33

@Jjjayfee

Only 5 percent of our gas is from Russia
Exactly, this.

And besides, I want to make my grandmother's borscht!

Original poster
allthatmalarkey · 02/03/2022 13:39

Not suggesting switching everything off, I'm suggesting doing enough that collectively it's newsworthy.

I know Russia doesn't supply all our gas. The point is it's a demonstration of consumer power.

However, even to reduce our usage by 5% that day would mean a huge number of people doing a lot, so point taken.

I will go back to feeling frustrated and powerless.

OP posts:
WeDontShutUpAboutBruno · 02/03/2022 13:45

There are things that you can do, some have been suggested above.

There are lots of email campaigns going on to politicians, supporting those and emailing for further sanctions, more support etc will make more of a difference than turning the TV off for the day and hope Putin notices.

SleepingStandingUp · 02/03/2022 13:53

Do you really think one day of a mass blackout in the UK is really going to make Putin think anything atm? Even if you convinced the whole of the UK and took a photo from space, why would he care?

Original poster
allthatmalarkey · 02/03/2022 13:53

Not even what I was suggesting.

OP posts:
Associatepeggy · 02/03/2022 13:54

@allthatmalarkey

Not suggesting switching everything off, I'm suggesting doing enough that collectively it's newsworthy.

I know Russia doesn't supply all our gas. The point is it's a demonstration of consumer power.

However, even to reduce our usage by 5% that day would mean a huge number of people doing a lot, so point taken.

I will go back to feeling frustrated and powerless.

Give over. There's load that you can do, that isn't a pointless waste of everyone's times.

Imagine living in Ukraine and someone saying 'oh people in the UK are only having hot water for keeping cleans and having a cuppa today in support of us', while you are in the middle of a war or trying to flee the country. Would you feel supported?

Original poster
allthatmalarkey · 02/03/2022 13:59

A friend has said how about something for one hour that registers. Eg. Shut as much energy as you can manage without down for an hour during peak TV viewing time on Friday night. That kind of thing does get noticed.

My thinking is this: Germany are being asked to use lots less gas. The least we could do is show some solidarity.

The IPCC's latest report says that global conflict is inevitable as a result of our reliance on fossil fuels. And here we are.

OP posts:
RoseyLentil · 02/03/2022 14:00

@Onlythelaundryfairy

Ummm no. I've run out of oil this week and it's cold. Desperate to put the heating on!
I've just ordered heating oil and it's 84.4ppl 😳
Associatepeggy · 02/03/2022 14:02

That kind of thing does get noticed.

By who and what conclusions would you think they would draw?

Original poster
allthatmalarkey · 02/03/2022 14:08

[quote JesusInTheCabbageVan]I will go back to feeling frustrated and powerless.

There are many things you can do. Just not this.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ukraine-help-donate-emergency-appeal-how-b2026596.html
www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/how-you-can-help-with-the-war-in-ukraine-list-of-charities/
www.timeout.com/news/15-ways-you-can-help-the-people-of-ukraine-right-now-022522[/quote]
Already doing these sorts of things. We're going to be trying to make it better for Ukrainians for months if not years to come, but we can't stop what's about to happen.

Speaking to people irl they like the idea of something they can do to show their strength of feeling. I'm not in a position to join demonstrations. Governments aren't going to risk unpopularity by making our energy supplies even more expensive or fragile. But people could demonstrate that they're willing to make a sacrifice if only a token one to signal they know their importance as consumers.

OP posts:
WeDontShutUpAboutBruno · 02/03/2022 14:12

My thinking is this: Germany are being asked to use lots less gas. The least we could do is show some solidarity.

You only using power for a cuppa and a wash isn't solidarity Confused as for 'the least we can do' lots of us are actually doing a lot more than making martyrs of ourselves by turning off the TV for a couple of hours while sipping tea and backpatting ourselves for making a difference because we missed an episode of Neighbours as a fuck you to Putin.

Honestly, this site for people trying to insert themselves into someone else's tragedy by being performative and not actually doing something constructive.

The people of the Ukraine have no choice but to struggle right now, we have power and safety and food and heat, instead of depriving yourself, use the tools you have to make a real difference to them.

grapewines · 02/03/2022 14:19

I don't have the heating on. But that's because I can't afford to. Not because I think Putin will give two shits. I've donated to the Red Cross. Not much at all. Again, can't afford much. But I did because I feel helpless too. And frightened.

But at least I still have somewhere safe to sleep.

Riapia · 02/03/2022 14:20

Why not carry on as usual on Friday and the utility company donate the money to Ukraine.

Narutocrazyfox · 02/03/2022 14:21

Absolutely not. Engage your brain OP 😂

FalloutShelter · 02/03/2022 14:23

It's a very naive suggestion op, but I did smile at the fact that you are desperate to take a stand, but bristle at the thought of not being able to have a hot cuppa for one day. 😂😂

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 02/03/2022 14:26

The IPCC's latest report says that global conflict is inevitable as a result of our reliance on fossil fuels. And here we are.

This is a separate issue, and the Ukraine conflict has nothing to do with climate change.

I get that you're well intentioned OP, but the objection people have is just that this particular idea is impractical and won't actually achieve anything, apart from making the people involved (which I think currently stands at two) feel better. Apart from anything else, people would have to use extra gas the next day anyway, to bring their house temperature back up to normal.

Maybe you'll come up with another idea, but this one just has no legs.

EvilPea · 02/03/2022 14:29

I did see a suggestion floated of everyone trying to make a 30% cut.
I think that’s vaguely achievable for some. But it needs to be commercial as well, businesses doing it as well

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