Find out parents' thoughts on the Climate Emergency

[JustineBMumsnet]

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With a rise in extraordinary weather events around the world and activists like Greta Thunberg in the public eye, more people than ever before are engaging with and are worried about climate change. Following the launch of the “Portraits from the Precipice” campaign - which places art that inspires action on climate change on digital billboards across the country - we’d like to hear your thoughts on the Climate Emergency.

Here's what Octopus Energy – the green energy supplier behind Portraits from the Precipice – has to say: “With climate experts giving humanity 10 years to slow rising global temperatures, the time to take action for the planet is now. We all have a crucial role to play in combating the climate emergency.

Whether it be to switch to a renewable energy company, to buy an electric vehicle or even to just make small dietary changes or reduce the amount of plastic waste in your home… acknowledging the problem is just step one, we now need to act.”

Thinking of the Climate Emergency, what are your biggest concerns, if any, for yours and your children’s future? Are there any small things your family does to try and help? What would you recommend as being the most effective change people can make in helping the fight against Climate Change?

How aware are your children of the Climate Emergency? How do you talk to them about it? Do you think schools are doing enough to educate children on the Climate Emergency?

All who share their thoughts on the Climate Emergency on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list and provided by Mumsnet). Octopus Energy will also donate £300 to a charity fighting climate change, of the winner’s choice.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Little one is two so I'm quite aware. I make everyday efforts to reduce my waste, I do feel constantly guilty if u have buy anything new.

I hate seeing all the climate change disasters that have been happening, the plastic, the severe weather and the dreadful effects on our planet.
I’ve made lots of changes, I’ve stopped buying new things as far as possible, I’ve stopped buying single use plastics.
The things is it’s a bit too late because changes are here and now to our world but if we all try hopefully we can slow the progression down.
Children are well aware through school projects and media, however it’s big companies that we battle against a lot of the time due to their manufacturing processes and selling the idea that we must have new and we must have lots of stuff.

It worries me but I just try to contribute where I can....less driving, more walking, eco friendly products, recycle, I upcycle furniture to promote using what we have rather than discarding
DD is aware of the need to help the planet & I’m proud she’s always looking for ways we can improve

I believe governments should be doing more the legislate and faster. Your average person on the street might be able to do their bit, but unless it’s on mass and we are supported as a nation to make real change the effects will not be felt. It’s also upto corporations to do more. I recently came back from the Philippines and the effects amongst businesses to curb plastic use and promote recycling is much more evident than here, also compared to New York which I have also visited this year where recycling efforts where almost not exinsistant for consumers

We in the developed world pay lip service to the problem. We talk about reducing our use of plastic, when we all have mobile phones, TVs in every room, tablets, big cars, etc. The environmental cost of our modern gadgets is huge, although we don't see it because most of the damage is done in third world countries where the environment is being massacred.

I just do not think people will change their lives to make the difference so we are doomed.People are not changing their spending habits,not changing the things they eat,still electing politicians tied/financed/beholden to the fossil fuels industries and even denying that there is a problem.So we will go on as things are until it is too late and then wonder why we did nothing when we had the chance !

My biggest concern is that it is already too late. I try to do little things such avoiding plastic as much as possible,

Its actually something i really worry about , for ourselves and future generations. I can't believe we have let it get this bad without sorting it out. Big companies need to be held responsible for their actions too , us as individuals can only do so much

I am worried for children, I dread to think how bad it will get for the next generation. The situation is scary and while we are all trying to live more responsibly, I fear it is too little too late. I don't discuss with my little one though, it doesn't help to appear worried and helpless

We try to do our bit for climate change but I think it is a bit too late in all honesty

I think the climate emergency is something we all need to think about and try to help with. We try to recycle as much as possible and recently made the switch from shower gel to bar soaps. We're also vegan. So much more I could be doing though.

We made a number of changes in the last years and try to reduce our consumption in general and where possible, buy reusable/renewable/plastic-free/ethically sourced products and services (soap and shampoo bars, milk from the milkman, tap water and reusable bottles, cooking from scratch and reducing meat an takeaways, using cloth napkins and cloth nappies, using an eco egg for laundry, carbon offset when traveling, etc).

I do despair that while I’m constantly on the lookout for tweaks to our lifestyle, council, government and companies carry on without bother too much or too quickly about changing anything, and that lots of people still think that the climate change is not their problem and they are entitled to a certain lifestyle without having to think about the consequences.

I’d like to have a local composting scheme so our food waste doesn’t end in the landfill, I’d like to be able to buy groceries without bringing home a ton of plastic and without my groceries being flown in from 3-4 different continents, I’d like to have ‘clean’ and efficient public transport I can use or be able to afford an electric car, use renewable energy and I’d like there to be regulations so that business are forced to behave in more environmentally responsible ways and incentives for the population to change their consumption habits.

I can only apologise from my generation for the mess we have made and I can categorically say I myself have tried my best for over ten years to do my best to reverse the situation but I fear for my grandchild who is 10. He may not have a future or planet because certain countries don’t believe this is happening.

I think world population growth should be where we place out efforts - birth control. We are all part of capitalists societies which requires constant growth, population increase etc so that we can sell more and make more profit. We are constantly encouraged to update and modernise and even environmentally friendly products such as modern A* fridges are made of cheap plastic so they crack and then have to be replaced. Far better to build strong products that last but there is no will to do so.

We rarely go on holiday and never travel abroad - it is a relatively new idea that everyone needs to go away on holiday.

Something we love to talk about but find it hard to action eg car emissions by using public transport, increasing our recycling, turning down the thermostat on a cold day, not lingering in a lovely warm bath or shower

We do talk about the Climate emergency with our kids but i fear it is a conversation that is happening too late for everyone. I think the damage is already done and its about limiting the damage now as opposed to stopping it.

Children in the family learn about climate change from an early age including the remarkable and worrying changes in the polar regions.
Like most people we recycle but would like to see black plastic packaging banned from supemarkets.
I have changed to a green energy company.
I have cut down on meat and we try to buy local produce when we can.
My car is a petrol rather than a diesel one. In our rural area public transport is not available.

I think children are more aware of climate change than a lot of adults as we never learned about it at school. We need the manufacturers to take ownership of all the packaging, (think excess on Easter Eggs for example.) I have been vegetarian all my life, & recycle meticulously, but often see the council wagon have it all tipped together! Food is never wasted, water is conserved in a butt, & even the pet's drinking water is used to water houseplants. Twin flush on the loo, too. We have always kept energy bills down by lowering the thermostat, & putting a woolly on instead of heating. My biggest concern is China, India & America who do not seem to have the message so continue to be the worst offenders contributing to climate change, & without them changing our efforts are futile.

Things need to change from the top. The everyday person can recycle and do small things but it is the big corporations and industry that need to do more to force people to change. My kids are very aware of climate change and regularly learn about it at school. Unfortuntely they have little real power to bring about change!

I fear for the future, I do all I can, sustainable energy, recycling etc

Politicians need to take it seriously and get a grip. It's sad when a little girl has to talk them into it!! Our children are vested in saving the planet and recycle and are conscious of their impact on the environment.

The climate emergency is real & needs to be addressed head on by all countries. There needs to be new laws because asking for voluntary change is not working.
The issue should not attempt to be solved with taxes, as the rich will continue to live without change, only the poor would suffer.
I don't know the answer, but doing nothing is NOT the answer

We are aware of the climate crisis and educate our son as much as possible. The younger generation have the power to change, however we must support them. They always have the most radical/extreme ideas but that's because we need a fundamental change in our approach.

I personally try to buy less consumable goods such as clothes, electrical goods, etc and do with what I already have. I try to walk whenever possible and use the train if I can. I see the problem is this consumable society that is driven by big corporations seeking profits first more than anything else, as their ultimate aim is to satisfy their share holders. When something goes wrong, it often cheaper to buy a new one rather repair the old item. It makes more sense for the manufacturers as they can sell more this way and the cost and logistics of keeping old spare parts can be expensive for them. Unless this fundamental structure is changed, there is a limitation in what any governments can do. I do my part and tell my kids to live modestly and eco friendly.

My biggest concern is China, India & America who do not seem to have the message

There is a vast amount of research coming out of China, India AND America on renewable technologies.

I believe China is actually a world leader in renewables as well as a champion consumer of coal ). Yes, its response is currently inadequate but I see it as a point of hope: China could make a real difference.

Meanwhile India is more than achieving its pledges from the Paris climate agreement -- and investing in coal as well .

It's not a simple situation.